The Secret Tiara Kate Middleton Revealed Last Night Was Left to Her by Queen Victoria in Her Will

On December 3, Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, made a dazzling entrance at the German state banquet at Windsor Castle, wearing the Oriental Circlet Tiara, a treasured heirloom of Queen Victoria. She joined Prince William, King Charles, and Queen Camilla in welcoming German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Bdenbender.

The tiara had not been seen in public since 2005, making Kates appearance a major moment in her royal wardrobe. The Oriental Circlet is reserved exclusively for queens and future queens, as stipulated in Queen Victorias will, emphasizing its significance as a crown heirloom that passes from monarch to monarch.

The tiara was originally commissioned in 1853 by Queen Victorias husband, Prince Albert, and crafted by Garrard. Featuring opals and 2,600 diamonds, its design was inspired by jewels Victoria received from the East India Company, with Albert personally contributing to its design.

Over the years, the tiara underwent several modifications. In 1958, diamonds from Queen Charlotte were removed amid family disputes. Queen Alexandra later replaced the opals with rubies, considering opals unlucky, and adjusted the arches to reduce its size, though she only wore it once on a state visit to Germany.

The headpiece became a staple for Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, after she inherited it in 1936. Its distinctive Mughal arches and lotus design made it one of her signature jewels. After her passing in 2002, it was worn only once by Queen Elizabeth in 2005 during a state banquet in Malta, paired with a ruby parure.

By wearing the Oriental Circlet Tiara at the recent state banquet, Princess Kate became the first princess rather than a reigning queen or queen consort to showcase this historic piece. The tiaras German connections made it a fitting choice for the occasion, highlighting both its royal heritage and her own evolving style as a future queen consort.

Author: Riley Thompson