Why Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle Have Never Worn Princess Diana's Wedding Tiara...and Probably Never Will

Mar. 15, 2025

Princess Diana; Kate Middleton; Meghan Markle.Photo: Terry Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Hulton Royals Collection/Getty Images; Chris Jackson/Getty Images; BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images

NeitherKate MiddletonnorMeghan Marklehas worn the Spencer Tiara, the sparkling headpiece that their late mother-in-law,Princess Diana, donned when she married the futureKing Charles…and it’s unlikely thatPrince WilliamandPrince Harry’s wives ever will.

Both the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Sussex made their royal tiara debuts on their wedding days. Princess Kate, 42, borrowed theCartier Halo TiarafromQueen Elizabethfor her 2011 wedding to Prince William at Westminster Abbey. Meanwhile, Meghan, 43, was lent theQueen Mary Diamond Bandeau Tiarafrom the royal family’s collection for her 2018 walk down the aisle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

Meghan’s only tiara wear came at her wedding, but Kate has gone on to sport the royal headpieces for occasions like state banquets, palace receptions and even other royal weddings. In total, she’s donned four different tiaras, with the Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara becoming her go-to (the Princess of Wales has worn the accessory on 11 different occasions dating back to 2015).

While the Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara was also a favorite of Princess Diana’s during her marriage to Charles, neither of the late royal’s daughters-in-law has ever worn what might be her most well-known head topper: the Spencer Tiara. Diana sported the family heirloom at her 1981 wedding to the future monarch and also used it at other white-tie events in the following years.

Princess Diana wears the Spencer Tiara at a banquet in Munich in November 1987.Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty

Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty

However, it’s unlikely that the Spencer Tiara was considered for Kate or Meghan’s bridal looks.

Lauren Kiehna ofThe Court Jewellerpreviously toldMarie Clairethat the Spencer Tiara was not an option for either Kate and Meghan on their wedding days because “it was never a royal tiara.” Instead, both Prince William and Prince Harry’s wives borrowed headpieces from Queen Elizabeth’s collection.

Kate Middleton; Meghan Markle.AP (2)

The Spencer Tiara remains in the Spencer family. Kiehna said, “While she was Princess of Wales, Diana often borrowed the tiara from her father and her brother [Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer], who still owns it now. Eventually, it will be passed along with the rest of the family estate to Earl Spencer’s son, Viscount Althorp.”

Although the 9th Earl Spencer technically could loan the headpiece to Princess Kate or Meghan, it’s unlikely.

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Princess Diana wears the Spencer Tiara in India in February 1992.Jayne Fincher/Getty

Jayne Fincher/Getty

While chances of the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Sussex sporting the Spencer Tiara are slim, Kate and Meghan continue to sartoriallyhonor their late mother-in-law through other jewels from Diana’s collection. In addition to earrings, bracelets and necklaces, Prince William and Prince Harry have both gifted their wives with sentimental rings that previously belonged to their mother.

The Prince of Wales, 42, proposed to Kate in 2010 with Diana’s famous diamond and sapphire engagement ring. In their engagement interview, William said, “It’s my mother’s engagement ring. So, I thought it was quite nice because obviously, she’s not going to be around to share any of the fun and excitement of it all — this was my way of keeping her sort of close to it all.”

During an April 2023 outing in Wales,Princess Kate said she was “honored” to wear the ring— and even revealed that it was the “same size” as when Diana had it!

Kate Middleton and Prince William (left); Princess Diana and Prince Charles.Chris Jackson/Getty ; Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty

Chris Jackson/Getty ; Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty

Meghanfirst wore the aquamarine ring in publicon her wedding day as she and Prince Harry headed to their evening reception, and it’s popped up on Meghan’s finger duringroyal toursandgalas.

Prince Harry also designedMeghan’s three-diamond engagement ringto include two gems from his mother’s personal collection.

Princess Diana (left) and Meghan Markle wearing the aquamarine ring.AFP via Getty; Mike Coppola/Getty

source: people.com