Royals

Queen of sparkle! Princess Catherine’s best tiara moments of all time

She's the crowning jewel in the royal family - yet Princess Catherine rarely ever wears a tiara.
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Suffice to say, royal fans rejoice every time Kate Middleton wears a tiara.

From her much-loved-Cambridge Lovers Knot, to her Cartier Halo headpiece worn on her wedding day, we cannot, and will not ever get enough of the stunning royal’s dazzling bejewelled moments.

And boy have we been treated to them. Over the last few years, The Princess of Wales has stepped out in a number of stunning tiara displays.

Despite having an entire tiara wardrobe to choose from (!!!), there’s one style in particular that Kate seems to have taken to – the Cambridge Lover’s Knot.

While we’d like to think Kate and co. can simply dip into The Queen’s bottomless jewellery box whenever they fancy, it’s sadly not as simple as that!

Royal etiquette has adapted with the modern times and these days, tiaras are only worn for weddings, state banquets or official receptions.

Still, there’s no denying just how exciting it is to see a princess in a tiara.

In November 2023, at the South Koren State Banquet, Princess Catherine of Wales donned a very special tiara. The Strathmore Rose tiara originally belonged to the late Queen Mother, and the last time it was worn was in the 1930s.

(Image: Getty).

Here is a look back at all of the times Princess Catherine has looked beautiful and regal in tiaras.

1. The Cartier Halo tiara, April 2011

Kate Middleton’s “something borrowed” for her 2011 wedding day happened to be this incredible creation made of diamonds and platinum, which The Queen very kindly lent to her.

King George VI commissioned Cartier to make it in 1936 as a gift to his wife, Queen Elizabeth (aka The Queen Mother). She handed it down her daughter, Princess Elizabeth, for her 18th birthday and it’s been in The Queen’s collection ever since.

WATCH: Kate and William exchange vows. Post continues after the video…

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As pretty as a princess!

(Image: Getty)

Kate’s tiara was the perfect fairytale accessory for her wedding day in April, 2011.

(Image: Getty)

The royal was lent the heirloom from The Queen.

(Image: Getty)

2. The Lotus Flower tiara, December 2013

Kate waited two whole years after tying the knot to wear another tiara, this time stepping out in the Lotus Flower (also referred to as the Papyrus Tiara) for a diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace.

Tucking the glittering number neatly on top of her flowing locks, its papyrus-shaped folds and diamond and pearl accents utterly popped.

This particular number originally belonged to The Queen Mother before The Queen inherited it.

In 2013, Catherine wore the Lotus Flower tiara.

(Image: Splash)

She teamed the look with chandelier-style drop earrings.

(Image: Splash)

3. The Lotus Flower tiara, October 2015

Kate’s ravishing red look stole the show at Buckingham Palace’s state banquet to celebrate Chinese President Mr Xi Jinping’s visit in October 2015.

Sitting pride of place on her swept back locks was the trusty old Lotus Flower.

Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon often wore the tiara.

(Images: Getty)

So nice Kate wore it twice!

(Image: Getty)

The royal’s glittering headpiece was teamed with a bright red Jenny Packham gown.

(Image: Getty)

4. The Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara, December 2015

It’s somewhat of tiara staple for Kate now, but the first time we ever saw her don the iconic Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara was back in 2015 for the diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace.

The showstopping tiara is an heirloom headpiece which The Queen inherited it from her grandmother Queen Mary, before giving it to Princess Diana as a present on her wedding day in 1981.

It was worn by Diana on many occasions but returned to the monarch when Princess Diana and Prince Charles divorced in 1996.

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Behold! This was the first time Kate wore her mother-in-law’s beloved Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara.

(Image: Getty)

5. The Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara, December 2016

It doesn’t get much better than this! A princess, her prince and a sparkling tiara in all its glory.

The royal once again sported the The Cambridge Lover’s Knot masterpiece for the 2016 annual diplomatic reception.

Princess Catherine wore the Lover’s Knot tiara again in 2016.

(Images: Rex Features)

The event is seen as the main diplomatic social event of the year and requires royals to wheel out all their finery.

(Images: Rex Features)

Side-by-side, Kate and Diana both bring so much elegance to the regal accessory.

(Image L-R: Rex Features, Getty)

6. Cambridge Lover’s Knot, July 2017

In July 2017, the mother-of-three dusted off the Cambridge Lover’s Knot for a third time when she attended a lavish state dinner at the palace held in honour of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain.

Dripping in a ruby and diamond necklace on loan from the monarch, Kate completed her look with a custom-made lilac Marchesa dress.

WATCH: The Royal Family arrive to the state dinner. Post continues…

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And that’s how you make a glittering arrival!

(Image: Splash)

The face you make when you’re literally dripping in jewels.

(Image: Sky News)

The Queen also lent Kate her diamond and ruby necklace for the occasion.

(Image L-R: Splash and Getty)

7. The Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara, December 2017

December 2017 marked the seventh time Kate had ever worn a tiara in public.

The Princess of Wales clearly has taken a liking to The Cambridge Lover’s Knot and opted to wear it to the 2017 diplomatic reception.

Although only the top of her gown could be seen as she arrived in a chauffeur-driven Bentley, fans were given a glimpse of her embellished white dress.

The mother-of-three’s brunette locks were swept up into an elegant chignon so her impressive diamond jewels could take pride of place.

In December 2017, A pregnant Catherine wore the iconic Lover’s Knot tiara yet again.

(Image L-R: Getty, Rex Features)

8. The Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara, October 2018

When The Queen threw a State Banquet for Queen Maxima and her husband, King Willem-Alexander, of the Netherlands’ visit to the UK in October 2018, Catherine stole the show.

Atop of the Duchess of Cambridge’s brunette locks was her late mother-in-law Princess Diana’s tiara – the Cambridge Lover’s Knot.

Kate finished off her regal look with Princess Diana’s Collingwood pearl earrings, a diamond bracelet and an ornate pearl necklace, which was a wedding present from Queen Alexandra.

All the glitters! Catherine stunned in Princess Diana’s tiara and an ice-blue gown by Alexander McQueen.

(Image: AAP)

The Duchess of Cambridge walks into the dinner with Rear Admiral Ludger Brummelaar.

(Image: AAP)

But it was what Catherine had pinned on her dress that truly delighted royal watchers.

In an historical moment, the 39-year-old wore the Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II badge, which features the monarch’s portrait on a yellow ribbon.

The Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II is an honour given to female members of the British Royal Family from The Queen and is worn for special, formal events – such as a State Banquet.

9. The Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara, December 2018

Dressed in a stunning Jenny Packham gown, the Duchess of Cambridge once again wore the Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara for the Queen’s Diplomatic Reception.

Of the nine times Duchess Catherine has worn a tiara, five of those occasions have seen her wear the Cambridge Lover’s Knot so it’s clearly a top pick and a sweet tribute to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.

The Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara seems to be Catherine’s favourite.

(Image: AAP)

The Duchess of Cambridge also wore a Jenny Packham gown for the white tie event.

(Image: Getty)

Catherine also re-wore Princess Diana’s Collingwood pearl earrings and had the honour of once again wearing the Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II.

It’s clear the Duchess has made a great impression on her regal grandmother-in-law.

10. The Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara, June 2019

Attending another state banquet at Buckingham Palace, Kate once again stepped out in her headpiece of choice – the Cambridge Lover’s Knot.

The stunning tiara looked incredible paired with her long white Alexander McQueen dress.

The banquet itself was held for former President Trump’s state visit to the UK, one that kept the royals very busy.

Kate looked heavenly as she attended the banquet in June 2019.

(Image: Getty)

11. The Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara, December 2019

We didn’t realise it at the time but the Queen’s Diplomatic Corps reception at on December 11 2019 would mark the Royal Family’s final red carpet event to be held at Buckingham Palace before the COVID-19 pandemic would change the world forever.

Wearing Princess Diana’s famous Cambridge Lovers Knot headpiece, Kate drew every eye in the house as she made her way into the reception by car.

Along with the sentimental tiara, Kate’s velvet navy gown was designed by Alexander McQueen, and featured a V-neckline.

Accessories-wise, the royal opted for stunning diamond drop earrings and a matching glittering necklace. While her hair was styled in a sleek up ‘do.

Going out with a bang: Just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic would put an end to large-scale gatherings, Kate glowed in the Cambridge Lovers Knot tiara.

(Image: PA)

It’s hard to believe she’s only ever worn a tiara 11 times! We think she should do it more often.

(Images: Getty)

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