How ‘favourite’ Sophie Countess of Wessex was the first to wear Kate’s mystery diamonds

Sophie Countess of Wessex is a senior figure among the royal family. She is wed to the Earl of Wessex, and lives in Windsor with him and her two children.

Kate Middleton caused a stir when she wore a mystery set of jewellery to a diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace in mid-December.

The huge sparkling diamond pieces were soon revealed to be from the Diamond Chandelier Drop Demi-Parure.

The Diamond Chandelier Drop Demi-Parure is thought to be a gift from a Middle Eastern ruler, and it was worn by the Queen when King Fahd of Saudi Arabia visited the UK.

However, Kate is not the first royal to have been loaned these stunning jewels from Her Majesty.

Sophie wore the earrings and the necklace from the set to welcome Donald Trump to the UK in June at the state dinner in Buckingham Palace.

Sophie Countess of Wessex was given a tiara by the Queen for her wedding day. 

It is believed the design was commissioned specially for her by the Queen.

The unique diamond design consisted of three peaks and was made from jewels from the royal collection.

Eddie LeVian, CEO of jewellery Le Vian, told Express.co.uk: “If you look closely, the tiara is composed of four anthemion elements – these are sections composed of twisting diamond floral motifs, set on a gold frame.”

A look at the wedding tiaras worn by recent royal brides

Sophie, Countess of Wessex wedding tiara

While royal brides tend to either wear a brand new piece or a wear an heirloom piece, Sophie, Countess of Wessex wore a combination of the two.

The exact name of the tiara is unknown.

The Countess has worn the piece of jewellery a number of times since her wedding day – such as to the nuptials of Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark.

Sarah Ferguson wedding tiara

Sarah Ferguson tied the knot with Prince Andrew at Westminster Abbey in July 1986.

Sarah Ferguson also wore a previously unseen wedding tiara, with the jewellery having been made especially for her.

Princess Diana wedding tiara

Princess Diana was known as Lady Diana Spencer before marrying Prince Charles back in 1981.

The royals tied the knot at St Paul’s Cathedral.

The late princess opted for her own family diamonds for the occasion, wearing the Spencer Tiara.

Meghan Markle wedding tiara

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, wore the Queen Mary Bandeau Tiara for her and Prince Harry’s big day.

The former Suits actor tied the knot with the prince in May 2018, at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

The jewels hadn’t been worn for 65 years prior to the special event, having previously been well-loved and worn by Queen Mary, the grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II.

Kate Middleton wedding tiara

Kate Middleton and Prince William wed at Westminster Abbey, London, back in 2011.

The Duchess of Cambridge arrived at the church in the Cartier Halo Tiara.

It is set with more than 1000 diamonds, and crafted as a band of “16 graduated scrolls”, the Royal Collection Trust have said.

source: express.co.uk