Fans across the globe are captivated by the British Royal Family’s collection of tiaras, which are renowned for being among the most valuable pieces of jewellery in existence.
Notably, Meghan Markle wore one of these exquisite tiaras when she married Prince Harry on 19th May 2018, although this timeless headpiece was reportedly not her first choice.
Meghan is said to have been refused her first choice as nobody could trace its origins, but reports since have revealed it to be the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiara, which was worn by Princess Eugenie when she tied the knot just six months later.
Diamond experts at UK retailer Steven Stone have taken a close look at the tiaras, revealing everything there is to know – from their origins, to their values.
Meghan Markle’s Tiara
Reportedly, Meghan Markle visited Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace to choose what tiara she would wear on her wedding day. The tiara she picked belonged to Queen Mary, who was married to King George V and was the Queen Elizabeth II’s grandmother.
The centre stone featured in the tiara is actually a brooch, comprised of 10 diamonds and which Mary of Teck received as a wedding gift from the County of Lincoln in 1893. In 1932, the diamond and platinum bandeau tiara was specifically made to accommodate the brooch. A piece like this is likely to be worth at least £2,000,000.
Though Queen Mary’s Bandeau tiara wasn’t Meghan’s first choice from Queen Elizabeth II’s collection and according to royal historian, Robert Lacey, she wanted to wear an emerald and diamond tiara on her wedding day. The late monarch did not allow the Duchess her choice due to the headpiece being tied to controversy – thought to have come from Russia, the treasure is said to have found its way into the collection through undefined channels.”
Princess Eugenie’s Tiara
Made for Dame Margaret Helen Greville by Boucheron – a famous society hostess – in 1919, the tiara is called the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik.
Mrs Greville, a socialite who was close with the royal family, bequeathed the stunning piece to the Queen Mother in 1942, but until the day of Eugenie’s wedding, no member of the royal family had ever worn it in public. Queen Elizabeth II inherited the tiara when her mother passed away in 2002.
Made of rose-cut pave diamonds, set in platinum, the tiara is adorned with six emeralds. The centre features a 93.7 carat cabochon-cut emerald, which is what makes it so valuable.
It’s a fitting design for a wedding tiara as emeralds traditionally represent hope and diamonds mean forever.
Princess Eugenie was the last royal bride to borrow a tiara from Queen Elizabeth II for her nuptials.
Our experts estimate the dazzling piece to be worth a staggering £10 million, making it the most valuable tiara to be worn at a royal wedding.
“On Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s big day, Meghan was wearing an exquisite tiara that belonged to Queen Mary. Interestingly, the pieces centre stone is a brooch that’s comprised of 10 diamonds, which Mary received as a wedding gift from the County of Lincoln in 1893. In 1932, the diamond and platinum bandeau tiara was specifically made to accommodate the brooch. A piece like this is likely to be worth at least £2 million.
Though apparently this was not Meghan’s first choice and when she visited Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace to choose what tiara she would wear on her wedding day, she originally picked one that featured emeralds, but was refused it by the late monarch as it was tied to controversy. Thought to have come from Russia, the headpiece is said to have found its way into the collection through undefined channels.
According to reports, the tiara isn’t the mystery that we once thought it was though – it’s thought to have been the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiara, which Princess Eugenie borrowed from her grandmother just six months later. Made of rose-cut pave diamonds set in platinum and adorned with six emeralds, it’s the most expensive wedding tiara in the royal collection. The centre features a 93.7-carat cabochon-cut emerald, which is what makes it so valuable. We previously estimated the distinctive headpiece to be worth £10 million.”
maxwell stone, creative director, steven stone
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