The Hidden Histories Of The Royals’ Most Exquisite Tiaras And Crowns
What comes to mind when you think of royalty? A jewel-encrusted crown spectacular enough for a king or queen? A delicate, sparkling tiara fit for a princess? The royals have no shortage of exquisite jewels, but they’re not just beautiful to look at; they have some truly fascinating stories behind them, too. And as the coronation of King Charles approaches, these stories are all the more interesting to tell.
1. The Cartier Halo
Cast your mind back to 2011, and you may remember the splendid Cartier Halo tiara perched on Kate Middleton’s head as she tied the knot with Prince William. The soon-to-be Duchess of Cambridge had gotten the nod to wear the headgear by none other than Queen Elizabeth — the owner of the piece at that time. And, originally, the Cartier Halo had belonged to Elizabeth’s mother. We certainly wouldn’t mind that kind of hand-me-down...
2. Imperial State Crown
Another crown that’s been added to the collection over the last century or so is the Imperial State Crown, which is meant to be on a new monarch’s head as they leave their coronation. It’s also worn during other formal events. It was created for George VI in 1937 but remains in use today. It was actually placed on Elizabeth’s coffin in 2022 as a mark of respect following her death.
The biggest diamond
A remarkable number of gems cover this crown, some of which hold very special significance. There are 2,868 diamonds attached to the crown, with one being especially noteworthy. This is known as Cullinan II, which was cut from the larger Cullinan Diamond. This is the biggest example of the precious stone that’s ever been found.
3. The Cambridge Lover’s Knot
The Cambridge Lover’s Knot is thought to be Kate Middleton’s most beloved tiara, but it’s actually been a prized possession of other royal women before her. The majestic piece was originally created for Queen Mary back in 1913, then handed down to Elizabeth II — who gave it to the late Princess Diana upon her own marriage. The tiara was reportedly one of Diana’s faves, too, creating a sweet link between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Awww!
