Although being a princess is not easy by any means- it sure does have some perks.
The Princess of Wales has access to one of the most incredible jewel collections in the world.
But there is nothing that captures the public’s attention quite like seeing Kate in a tiara.
Read on to learn all about her dazzling collection and the rules for wearing them.
What was the new tiara that Kate wore?
While attending the German State Banquet at Windsor Castle on December 3, Kate dazzled by making her debut in a little-seen tiara.
The Princess of Wales looked resplendent in a sparkling blue gown by Jenny Packham, which she paired with Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara.
The spectacular headpiece was designed by German-born Prince Albert for his wife in 1853, making it very fitting for the diplomatic event.
It originally featured more than 2600 diamonds and opals set into an Indian-inspired design of lotus flowers and Mughal arches.
The opals were later removed and replaced with rubies by Queen Alexandra who thought they were unlucky.
The tiara has not been seen in 20 years since the late Queen Elizabeth wore it while on an official visit to Malta in 2005.
Previously, it has only been worn by those with the rank of Queen, making Kate the first princess to wear the special piece.
It was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother during her lifetime.
The tiara “is also one of the oldest pieces created by Garrard for the Royal Family,” the luxury jewellers said.
How many tiaras does Kate Middleton use?
Since she first wore a tiara at her 2011 to Prince William at Westminster Abbey, Kate has been seen wearing 5 tiaras.
The jeweled headpieces are not owned personally by her but belong to the Crown. Kate is loaned her tiaras from the British sovereign.
When her husband eventually becomes King, it is expected she will wear a wider variety of jewels.
Cartier Halo Tiara
It is tradition in Britain that a bride will wear her family’s tiara on her wedding day and thereafter where jewels from her husband’s side.
But as the Middleton’s did not come from an aristocratic background, they didn’t have one, so Queen Elizabeth loaned Kate her Halo tiara from Cartier.
Her April 29, 2011, wedding day remains the only time-so far- she has been seen in it.
It was commissioned by King George VI for his wife (who later became the Queen Mum) in 1936, who gifted to Princess Elizabeth (future Elizabeth II) for her 18th birthday.
The Queen often loaned it to her younger sister, Princess Margaret, who wore it to Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953.
The dazzler consists of 739 brilliant-cut diamonds and 149 baguette-cut diamonds set in platinum.
Due to it’s lightweight design, it is considered an excellent starter tiara for those not used to heavier headwear yet, pointing to why it may have been chosen by Kate.
On her wedding day, Kate also wore a new pair of earrings, with their shape mimicking the scrolls on the tiara, so while she hasn’t been seen in it again, there is always hope for the future.
Queen Mary’s Lovers Knot Tiara
The tiara that has become most closely associated with Kate is Queen Mary’s Lovers Knot.
It was commissioned from master jewellers Garrard by Queen Mary in 1913 as a replica of a 200-year-old Gothic Revival tiara owned by Queen Mary’s grandmother, Princess Augusta of Hesse, who was also the Duchess of Cambridge.
It is made with diamonds and pearls, featuring diamond knot motifs and 19 dangling pear-shaped pearl drops.
It was eventually passed down to Queen Elizabeth who loaned it to Lady Diana Spencer as a wedding present,.
While Diana chose to follow tradition and wear the Spencer family tiara, she was seen in the Lovers Knot many times in the years afterwards.
Despite being frequently seen in the tiara, Diana was said not to be a fan due to its heaviness and she complained it gave her headaches.
Following Diana’s death in 1997 the tiara was returned to the vault and not seen again until Kate wore it for the first time in 2015, 18 years later.
It clearly is very sentimental for the Prince of Wales so has been unrupring it has become Kate’s go-to choice and the one she has been seen most frequently wearing.
Strathmore Rose Tiara
Kate wore the Strathmore Rose Tiara for a state visit from South Korea on November 23, 2023. To date, she has only been seen in it once.
The piece is is a diamond and floral tiara that was gifted ot the Queen Mother on her 1923 wedding day, by her father Lord Strathmore.
It features detachable rose elements which have the dual use of being worn as brooches, allowing for much more use.
Kate is only the second person to wear this particular sparkler in public.
When she did wear it, it had not been seen in decades and the date coincided with the 100th anniversary since it was gifted to the Queen Mum.
Being made in the 1920’s, it was designed to sit low across the forehead, flapper style, which is why it may have not been seen in so many years.
However, tiaras often undergo a adjustment and fitting process when they are given to someone new, so Kate may have made some alterations to it if she intents to keep it in her regular rotation.
“I think it’s lovely as the King was so close to the Queen Mother, and knowing that one of her most precious pieces of jewelry is being worn by his daughter-in-law gives a really emotional tie between the generations,” royal style expert Bethan Holt told People.
Lotus Flower Tiara
The then-Duchess of Cambridge chose the Lotus Flower Tiara to wear to a diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace on December 3, 2013.
She has worn it another two times in the years since making it a firm favourite.
Crafted by Garrard from a necklace for the Queen Mother in 1923 it is set in an Egyptian style.
It features a band of stylised lotus flowers and overreaching arches, with the graduated pinnacles surmounted by a single pearl.
