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Kate Middleton's Most Iconic Tiara Moments

The Princess of Wales is no stranger to a sparking headpiece.

Headshot of Caroline HallemannBy Caroline Hallemann
kate middleton tiara
Getty Images

One of the best parts about marrying into the royal family is undoubtedly getting to borrow jewelry from the crown's vast collection. Over the course of her decade-long royal career, the then-Duchess of Cambridge, now the Princess of Wales, has sported three different tiaras publicly: the Cartier Halo, which she wore on her wedding day; the Lotus Flower, which was notably one of Princess Margaret's favorites; and the Lover's Knot, which carries a special association to Kate's late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.

Here, take a look back at every time Kate, Princess of Wales, has worn a tiara.

1

April 2011

Royal Wedding - Carriage Procession To Buckingham Palace And Departures
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On her wedding day to Prince William, Kate Middleton borrowed the Cartier Halo Tiara from Queen Elizabeth. The delicate diamond and platinum piece perfectly complemented her now-iconic Alexander McQueen gown.

While Kate has yet to re-wear the tiara publicly in the years following her wedding, jewelry enthusiasts hope to see it again, as it has a rich royal history. The topper dates back to 1936, when it was crafted by Cartier. While the piece was initially owned by Elizabeth, the Duchess of York (the future Queen Mother), it was given to the future Queen Elizabeth II on her 18th birthday.

2

October 2015

State Visit Of The President Of The People's Republic Of China - Day 2
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Kate wore the Lotus Flower Tiara once again in October of 2015, at a state banquet in honor of the president of China, Xi Jinping. On that occasion, she paired the sparking topper with a vibrant red gown.

3

December 2015

The Annual Diplomatic Reception At Buckingham Palace
Mark Cuthbert//Getty Images

Photographers aren't always allowed inside the annual diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace, so sometimes the only photos we see of the Duchess of Cambridge at these events are taken through her car window as she's arriving and leaving the party. In this image from 2015, a keen eye can just barely make out the edge of the Lover's Knot Tiara, one of Princess Diana's favorite pieces of jewelry.

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4

December 2016

Diplomatic Reception At Buckingham Palace
Max Mumby/Indigo//Getty Images

Kate wore the Lover's Knot for a second time publicly in December of 2016 to the annual the diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace. Given that her late mother-in-law Princess Diana frequently wore the tiara, it obviously holds sentimental value for the Duchess of Cambridge, but the piece also has a distinguished royal history. Sometimes referred to as the Cambridge Lover's Knot, the tiara is, in fact, a replica of an earlier royal sparkler.

The tiara Kate wears was created for Queen Mary in either 1913 or 1914 by the House of Garrand from pearls and diamonds already owned by her family. She modeled it after her grandmother Princess Augusta of Hesse's headpiece, the original Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara, which is currently thought to be held in an unknown private collection.

5

July 2017

State Visit Of The King And Queen Of Spain - Day 1
Max Mumby/Indigo//Getty Images

By July of 2017, it was clear that the Lover's Knot was becoming one of Kate's favorite tiaras. Here she is wearing the piece with a plunging blush-colored Marchesa gown and a ruby-and-diamond necklace for a state dinner.

6

December 2017

Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace
Mark Cuthbert//Getty Images

Kate chose the Lover's Knot Tiara for the annual Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace once again in 2017. That year, she paired it with a diamond necklace, and diamond and pearl earrings.

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7

October 2018

BRITAIN-NETHERLANDS-ROYALS
JOHN STILLWELL//Getty Images

At a state banquet honoring King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, Kate paired the Lover's Knot with an icy blue dress, the Queen Alexandra Wedding Necklace, and her new royal order.

8

December 2018

The Duke & Duchess Of Cambridge Attend Evening Reception For Members of the Diplomatic Corps
WPA Pool//Getty Images

In late 2018, Kate wore the Lover's Knot tiara at the annual evening reception for members of the Diplomatic Corps at Buckingham Palace. Fortunately, photographers were allowed inside to capture this image of Kate in the tiara and shimmering gown by Jenny Packham. A bedazzled clutch, pearl earrings, and her yellow Royal Family Order completed the look.

9

June 2019

us president trump's state visit to uk   day one
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For the banquet in honor of President Trump's state visit to the U.K., the Duchess of Cambridge relied on her favorite tiara to make her outfit sparkle. She paired the Lover's Knot with the Queen Mother's sapphire and diamond fringe earrings, and her new Royal Victorian Order.

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10

November 2022

kate middleton princess of wales
Chris Jackson//Getty Images

For the first State Banquet hosted by King Charles, the newly minted Princess of Wales opted for the Lover's Knot tiara once again.

11

December 2022

kate middleton
Tim Rooke/Shutterstock

At the 2022 diplomatic reception, Kate paired the Lotus Flower tiara with a Jenny Packham gown.

12

June 2023

kate middleton lover's knot tiara jordanian wedding
Courtesy of the Royal Hashemite Court

Kate attended Jordan's Prince Hussein and Rajwa Al Saif's wedding wearing the Lover's Knot Tiara with a sparkling Jenny Packham gown and Queen Elizabeth's Greville Chandelier Earrings.

From: Town & Country US
Headshot of Caroline Hallemann
Caroline Hallemann
Digital Director

As the digital director for Town & Country, Caroline Hallemann covers culture, entertainment, and a range of other subjects 

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