The Queen has inherited a wealth of jewels over the decades, including several iconic tiaras. The Queen has some firm favourites she tends to wear often, and she lends other pieces to members of the Royal Family. In recent years, royals like Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Sophie, Countess of Wessex have been pictured wearing glamorous tiaras lent to them by the Queen. But there are thought to be several rules regarding when royal tiaras can actually be worn.
On their wedding day
Traditionally, the Queen lends a royal bride a tiara from her collection to mark the special day.
In recent years, the Queen has lent her granddaughter, Princess Beatrice, the Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara from the royal collection.
Meghan Markle wore Queen Mary’s Bandeau Tiara for her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, while Kate Middleton wore the Cartier Halo Tiara when she married Prince William in 2011.
Although most royal brides wear a tiara on their wedding day, in recent decades some have decided not to wear a tiara from the Queen’s collection.
Lady Diana Spencer wore the Spencer Tiara, a family heirloom also worn by her sisters on their wedding days, for her wedding at St Paul’s Cathedral in 1981.
And the Queen’s sister Princess Margaret wore a tiara she owned herself for her wedding day in 1960, the Poltimore Tiara.
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After marriage
Many royal women wait until after they are married to wear a tiara, but this doesn’t appear to be a rule set in stone.
Jewellery expert Geoffrey Munn told Town&Country a few years ago: “Any woman may wear one, but ancient tradition has it that they must be a bride or already married.
“The tiara has its roots in classical antiquity and was seen as an emblem of the loss of innocence to the crowning of love.
“One of the mainstays of European royalty and aristocracy is to do what you have always done and formal dress, jewellery, and tiaras are just part of this.”
Royal events
Despite being working members of the Royal Family, Camilla, Kate and Sophie, Countess of Wessex are not usually seen wearing a tiara as they go about their daily lives.
Usually, tiaras are reserved for formal royal occasions and white tie events, and some reports suggest tiaras are reserved for events that take place in the evening after 5pm.
In recent years, Kate has been pictured wearing a tiara from the Queen’s collection during state visits or at formal receptions held at Buckingham Palace.
Similarly, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall has also been pictured wearing a tiara at high-profile royal events, and she often opts to wear her family tiara, the Cubitt-Shand Tiara.