The late Princes Diana’s wedding tiara is a family heirloom that was in her family for generations – and it’s no secret that neither one of her daughters-in-law’s, Princess Kate or Meghan Markle, have been spotted rocking the jaw-dropping beauty. It was originally made for Cynthia Spencer, wife of the 7th Earl Spencer back in 1937.
Despite Prince William and Harry’s mother wearing it on repeat, the tiara remains in the possession of the Spencer family to this day and is not part of the British royal Collection. Which is largely indicates why Kate, 43, and Meghan, 44, did not wear it for their nupitals.
The Sun reported that according to The Court Jeweller, the tiara was constructed from “a set of 19th century diamond ornaments” and worth a whopping £400,000.
Known for its romantic design and regal presence the tiara features an elaborate, scrolling design crafted in silver and gold, set with hundreds of brilliant-cut diamonds.
Its most distinctive elements are the stylised floral and star-shaped motifs, which create a soft, almost whimsical silhouette compared to more formal, symmetrical royal tiaras.
Light and delicately structured, the Spencer Tiara complements a wide range of hairstyles and became one of Diana’s most frequently worn pieces during her time as Princess of Wales.
The ethereal sparkle and sentimental value have made it one of the most iconic tiaras in modern royal history rivalling the likes of the Cartier Halo design, Kate has worn in the past.
Over four decades ago when Diana married the then Prince Charles, in the summer of 1981, she famously opted to wear the infamous piece for her walk down the aisle.
However, the Princess of Wales nor the Duchess of Sussex decided to wear the sparkler on their big day, let alone in public.
On the Princess of Wales’s wedding day, she wore the Cartier Halo Tiara — a refined, Art Deco-style piece borrowed from Queen Elizabeth II, made of 739 brilliant-cut and 149 baguette diamonds.
Meghan Markle has only worn a tiara once, Queen Mary’s Bandeau headpiece — on her 2018 wedding day to Prince Harry at Windsor Castle, where she chose Queen Mary’s diamond bandeau tiara, known for its sleek, understated elegance.
Since stepping back from royal duties just two years later, it seems unlikely she will wear a tiara again, let alone one as personally significant as the Spencer.
Kate, the future Queen, has more formal engagements where tiaras are appropriate, including state banquets and diplomatic receptions.
Yet even with these occasions, she has consistently opted for Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara — a favourite of Diana’s, known for its romantic history and distinctive hanging pearls.
The Spencer Tiara, however, remains within Diana’s birth family and was last seen in public in 2018, worn by Celia McCorquodale — the daughter of Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Diana’s older sister, at her countryside wedding