It’s no secret that the British royal family have some of the most spectacular jewels. And most of the time, these jewels – be it tiaras, necklaces, earrings or bracelets – come out of their boxes on special occasions, especially royal weddings. We’re taking a look at 10 of the most stunning tiaras worn at royal weddings by the then-brides.
Princess Beatrice
The most recent royal bride, Princess Beatrice donned several of the Queen’s items, checking the ‘something borrowed’ box instantly. Apart from the dress which she restyled, Princess Beatrice borrowed Her Majesty’s Queen Mary Fringe tiara, the same one she wore on her own 1947 wedding day.
Lady Gabriella Windsor
Hitched on 18th May 2019, Lady Gabriella wore a Russian fringe style diamond tiara. The tiara, which often called the Kent City of London Fringe tiara, tied her look together incredibly.
Princess Eugenie
For her wedding to Jack Brooksbank on 12th October 2018, Princess Eugenie chose the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiara borrowed from her grandmother. The tiara dates back to 1919, made for the philanthropist Margaret Greville and later bequeathed to Her Majesty following Greville’s death in 1942.
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex
Meghan wore the Queen’s bandeau tiara for her wedding to Prince Harry on 19th May 2018. The tiara belonged to Her Majesty’s grandmother, Queen Mary and features a centred brooch with 10 diamonds gifted to Mary of Teck in 1893. Years later in 1932, the tiara was made to accommodate the brooch. It is said that Meghan picked the tiara with the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
Zara Tindall
British equestrian Zara Tindall wore a Greek key-patterned tiara belonging to her mother, Princess Anne’s collection for her 2011 wedding. The tiara once belonged to Prince Philip’s mother, Princess Andrew of Greece and is often referred to as Princess Andrew’s Meander Tiara.
Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge
As we all know, Kate Middleton’s wedding to Prince William on 29th April 2011 was a big deal. That day, Kate donned the Cartier Halo Tiara, loaned by Queen Elizabeth. The tiara was purchased by King George VI, Her Majesty’s father, for his wife in 1936. The Queen Mother gifted the tiara to her daughter Elizabeth on the occasion of her 18th birthday.
Princess Diana
Lady Di brought out her family tiara for her wedding to Prince Charles on 29th July 1981. The centre piece of the tiara was a gift from Lady Sarah Spencer to the Countess Spencer for her wedding in 1919. Diana’s sisters also wore the same tiara on their respective wedding days, as did Victoria Lockwood who married Diana’s brother, Charles.
Princess Anne
On 14th November 1973, Princess Anne married Mark Phillips and chose a meaningful tiara from her mother’s collection. She donned Queen Mary’s Russian Fringe tiara which Queen Elizabeth II also wore on her wedding day, as did Princess Beatrice. The tiara, created by Garrard, contains 47 diamond bars.
Princess Margaret
The Queen’s sister got hitched on 6th May 1960 and wore the Poltimore Tiara. It was purchased once her engagement to Antony Armstrong-Jones was announced. The tiara dates back to 1870 when Garrard created it for Lady Florence Poltimore. Unfortunately it is no longer a piece owned by the royal family as it was sold in a 2006 auction following Princess Margaret’s death.
Queen Elizabeth II
And of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without the mention of Queen Elizabeth’s wedding day tiara. As previously mentioned, Her Majesty donned Queen Mary’s Russian Fringe. It famously can be worn as a necklace or atop the head – talk about adaptable! However, while other wedding days went smoothly in the tiara department, the tiara actually broke on the Queen’s wedding day but was swiftly repaired.