The Tamesis
Tonight, Kate Middleton wore a tried-and-true champion tiara at the Nigerian state banquet at Windsor Castle: Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara.
Royal watchers immediately clocked the tiara, which is believed to be one of the Princess of Wales’ favorite tiaras. This is her first tiara appearance this year, and it’s already been a busy year. Kate has been making the royal rounds lately, from celebrating St. Patrick’s Day yesterday wearing head-to-toe green with the Irish Guards, to drinking pints and playing cheesemongering at the 1,000-year-old Borough Market in central London.
Photo: Getty Images
Kate’s choice of tiara also has a sweet connection to Princess Diana. The Lover’s Knot Tiara was originally commissioned by the Garrard family for Queen Mary in 1913 and is a replica of her grandmother’s Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara. The sparkling tiara features diamonds and pearls set in silver and gold. It was passed down to Queen Elizabeth, who in turn gave it to her daughter-in-law, Princess Diana. It was reportedly one of Princess Diana’s favorites, although it was notorious for giving her headaches due to its weight.
