What’s the perfect accessory for weddings, proms, and grocery store runs on your birthday? Why a tiara, of course! They’re shiny, charming, and add a touch of sophistication to an outfit.
But we’re not talking about fashion trends today. We are talking about THE Lover’s Knot Tiara, one given to Princess Diana by Queen Elizabeth for her wedding and part of the royal family’s jewelry collection.
Since marrying Kate Middleton, Prince William has been known to share his mother’s jewels with his wife. This gorgeous tiara is no exception, and the duchess has been seen wearing it on several formal occasions. Both Duchess Kate and Princess Diana have been regarded as fashion-forward ladies who put their own spin on their wardrobes, but this crown has an interesting history.
The Lover’s Knot was one of Diana’s favorites, and features diamonds and pearls from the royal family’s collection. The piece was created generations ago by House of Garrard jewelers for Queen Mary, modeled after the original Cambridge Lover’s Knot.
In 1818, the then Duke of Cambridge gifted the Lover’s Knot tiara to his bride, Princess Augusta of Hesse. Years later, she passed it down to her own daughter, who was also Queen Mary’s aunt. Queen Mary so admired the diadem that she wanted to have her own version crafted.
With pearls and diamonds plucked from various other pieces, a new Lover’s Knot tiara was born. Queen Mary passed down the eye-catching stunner to her granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953. Since then, it’s been worn by Princess Diana and her daughter-in-law, Duchess Kate.
Always an attention-grabber, the tiara was used to being snapped in photos and written about in headlines as part of the Princess of Wales’s wardrobe. Ironically, though she loved the piece, she found it to be heavy and headache-inducing, and would sometimes opt for jewelry from the Spencer family collection instead.
Out of the few times that Duchess Kate has worn a headpiece, the Lover’s Knot has been her go-to accessory four times. Her most recent outing with the crown was earlier this month for the annual Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace. It was the perfect complement to her white gown, along with a set of earrings from Princess Diana’s personal collection.
Before that, she attended a state banquet during the summer where she also wore the same tiara and same pair of pearl and diamond earrings— both faves of the late princess. We’re sure she would love seeing how beautiful these jewels look on the duchess. Watch this video to hear more and to see how Kate wore it last year!
Seeing as how these items are kept in the family and eventually handed down, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Princess Charlotte follow in her mother’s fashionable and regal footsteps someday, wearing the famous Lover’s Knot.
Prince Harry has also shared some of his mother’s sparkle with his bride-to-be, Meghan Markle. Her lovely engagement ring carries two diamonds from Princess Diana’s collection. Both princes share these sentimental heirlooms with the women they love as a way to keep a part of their mom close.
Are you fond of this Lover’s Knot tiara? What do you think of Duchess Kate’s choice?
Source:
The Court Jeweller