Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex
Markle picked a diamond bandeau tiara that once belonged to Queen Mary, the grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II. The Filigree Tiara was made back in 1932 while its detachable center brooch was made earlier in 1893. More than the diamonds encrusted on the tiara is a historical symbolism that shows how times have changed. In 1936, Queen Mary’s son Edward VIII abdicated the throne to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson, much to Queen Mary’s disapproval. Which is why the tiara worn by the Duchess of Sussex is also the symbol of change, much to the celebration of the world today.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
Kate Middleton wore the Cartier Halo Tiara that King George VI gave as an anniversary gift to his wife Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother back in 1936. The tiara is embedded with about 1,000 diamonds and was passed on as a gift to Queen Elizabeth II on her 18th birthday.
Princess Diana
Queen Elizabeth II wanted to lend Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara for Princess Diana to wear on her wedding day (which Diana has famously complained about being so heavy, it gave her a headache), but the late princess still chose to wear a tiara from her family’s jewels: the Spencer Tiara that has been with her family for almost a hundred years.
The Elusive Crown
Princess Diana wore the Spencer Tiara frequently not just for its history and symbolism, but simply because it’s comfortable! So even if she passed on wearing the Lover’s Knot Tiara on her wedding day, it was actually her favorite tiara that she wore alternately with the Spencer Tiara. But after her divorce, the Lover’s Knot Tiara was returned to the Queen and has only made an appearance recently on Kate Middleton (who has only ever worn a tiara 6 times by the way) in 2015.
Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen wore Queen Mary’s Russian Fringe Tiara that was made in 1919, which can also be worn as a necklace. Before the Queen left for Westminster Abbey, the tiara snapped into pieces. Good thing the royal jeweler was on standby and was able to piece the tiara back together! The tiara was later on worn by the Queen’s daughter, Princess Anne, to her wedding day as well.
