It seems surprising, but Kate Middleton has worn a tiara only ten times. The first was the Cartier halo style the Duchess of Cambridge showed off on her wedding day. The second was a diamond-and-pearl creation originally worn frequently in the 1920s; it was loaned to Kate by the queen for the annual state reception in 2013, then she wore it again in honor of the U.K. visit from Chinese president Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan. Duchess Catherine has borrowed the Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara, loaned to Princess Diana as a wedding gift from the queen, for diplomatic functions—most recently at a reception hosted by the queen at Buckingham Palace for members of the Diplomatic Corps in December 2019.
We were thrilled to see another sparkly princess moment, but it does make you wonder—why doesn't Kate wear tiaras more often?
First, let's discuss the tiaras Kate has worn…
Her wedding tiara has nearly 1,000 diamonds in total and was initially purchased from Cartier in 1936 as an anniversary gift from King George VI to his wife. Eight years later it was regifted to the current queen as an 18th-birthday gift (possibly becoming the best regift of all time).
Here's a fascinating tiaras-worn-down-the-aisle fact for you: While it's not typically observed anymore, a bride would historically have worn a tiara from her family's collection on her wedding day before moving on to using her new husband's family pieces afterward. Kate didn't observe this, of course, but Princess Diana did, wearing a Spencer tiara when she married Prince Charles. Postnuptials, it was all royal-family jewels for Di.
The second style, which you can see more clearly on the photo of Princess Margaret below, is commonly known as the Lotus Flower or Papyrus tiara. It originally belonged to the Queen Mother and lived life as a necklace before being turned into a tiara.
Duchess Catherine then paired the same Lotus Flower tiara with a red Jenny Packham gown and a stunning updo for a state banquet at Buckingham Palace.
Middleton repeated the same red gown with the iconic tiara known as the Cambridge Lover's Knot, worn earlier by Princess Diana.
In July 2017 the duchess attended a state banquet at Buckingham Palace on day one of the Spanish state visit, again wearing Princess Di's Cambridge Lover's Knot tiara.
She once again wore the Cambridge Lover's Knot tiara in December 2017 while attending the annual winter party at Buckingham Palace. This time Middleton paired the piece with matching diamond-and-pearl drop earrings and a diamond necklace.
In October 2018 she wore the Cambridge Lover's Knot tiara once more, for a state banquet at Buckingham Palace in honor of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands during their visit to the U.K. She paired it with an Alexander McQueen gown.
In December 2018, Middleton wore the Cambridge Lover's Knot for the eighth time—for a reception honoring members of the Diplomatic Corps at Buckingham Palace. The other component of her regal evening look was a Jenny Packham gown.
The Cambridge Lover's Knot tiara made an appearance once again in June 2019; Middleton wore it for a state banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in honor of President Donald Trump's visit to the U.K.
Middleton broke out her favorite tiara, the Cambridge Lover's Knot, once again in December 2019 for a reception hosted by the queen at Buckingham Palace for members of the Diplomatic Corps. She paired it with a navy velvet Alexander McQueen dress and some serious bling in the form of statement earrings and the Nizam of Hyderabad necklace, which she previously wore in 2014.
So why doesn't Kate Middleton wear tiaras more often?
There's no firm answer as to why Kate doesn't wear the glamorous accessory more often. Official rules about when they're to be worn don't exist (though tiaras are common for white-tie events and state occasions held in the evening). Many have suggested that the duchess's aversion to the bling might be another facet of her love for high-street style and dedication to making the monarchy feel modern and approachable. Others have speculated it's a thoughtful choice in order to distinguish herself from Princess Diana, who was a controversial royal for the family and loved a tiara moment.
