Kate Middleton looked as radiant as ever on Tuesday evening, as she attended the Buckingham Palace Christmas Diplomatic Reception.
The Princess of Wales was joined by Prince William, King Charles and Queen Camilla at the annual event that welcomes hundreds of members of the Diplomatic Corps to the royal residence’s State Rooms.
Opting for a dress by British designer Jenny Packham, Kate was sporting a dazzling diamond and pearl tiara that was previously worn by her late Mother in Law, Princess Diana.
Fine jewellery and diamond experts at Steven Stone have taken a close look at the stunning headpiece and revealed everything there is to know – from its origin to its astronomical value.
Kate was wearing Queen Mary’s Lovers Knot Tiara, which was originally designed for Queen Mary back in 1913.
The dazzling diamond and pearl tiara was passed on to her granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II. The late monarch reportedly presented it to Princess Diana for her royal wedding day in 1981, although she respectfully declined and opted to wear her father’s Spencer’s Family Tiara instead.
Despite this, the Lover’s Knot became one of her favourite pieces and she famously paired it with a white, pearl-encrusted Catherine Walker ensemble while visiting Hong Kong in 1989. Though the late Princess claimed it to have been so heavy that it hurt her head.
The fact that it’s so heavy it hurt Princess Diana’s head indicates that this is a valuable tiara, embellished with the finest quality diamonds and pearls. Though it’s difficult to put a price on such a historic an extravagant piece, our experts estimate it to carry a value of around £1,000,000.
“The Princess of the Wales was spotted sporting the Lover’s Knot Tiara for Buckingham Palace’s latest a glamorous reception. Originally designed for Queen Mary back in 1913, the dazzling diamond and pearl tiara was passed on to her granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II.
The late monarch reportedly presented it to Princesss Diana for her royal wedding day in 1981, although she respectfully declined and opted to wear her father’s Spencer’s Family Tiara instead – despite this, the Lover’s Knot did become one of her favourite pieces,
Though an incredible piece, the tiara has its cons and it’s claimed to have been so heavy that it hurt the late Princess of Wales’ head, giving her headaches – it’s also said to be noisy due to the swinging pearls. The fact that it’s so heavy that it hurt Princess Diana’s head indicates that it’s a valuable tiara, embellished with the finest quality diamonds and pearls.
Though it’s difficult to put a price on such a historic an extravagant piece, I’d estimate it to carry a value of around £1,000,000.”
maxwell stone, leading diamond expert, steven stone
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