Kate Middleton knows exactly how to jazz up an ensemble – and it’s with the most lavish royal jewels, gems and baubles you’ve ever seen from the royal vaults. But now, word on the street is that the Princess of Wales may decide not to wear a tiara at all to the coronation of her father-in-law King Charles III on May 6.
According to People, the conversation is still ongoing, but the precedent has previously been set that women in the royal family are expected to wear sparkling headpieces. The publication spoke with Laura Kiehna, writer of The Court Jeweller about the surprising news. “Tiaras were worn by nearly every royal lady at the Queen’s coronation in 1953, as well as lots of aristocratic women,” she said. “But times have certainly changed in 70 years.”
She continued, “I’m certainly hoping we’ll see coronation tiaras, but it’s possible that Charles is following the example of some of his European counterparts, like the king of the Netherlands, and setting a daytime formal dress code for the event.”
Royal historian Jessica Storoschuk told Page Six Style that the decision does not exactly come as a surprise. “Given that Charles is aiming for a modern coronation, it would make sense that he would choose for a formal day dress code which does not include tiaras,” she said. Storoschuk added that it’s “very possible” that other family members will forgo tiaras as well.
While King Charles will be crowned with the historical St. Edward’s Crown, Queen Camilla is expected to wear a modified version of Queen Mary’s crown, without the Koh-i-Noor diamond. Queen Mary wore the headpiece to King George V’s coronation ceremony in 1911. Queen Camilla’s choice is an unusual one, as existing crowns have not be re-used for a coronation in recent history.
If the King decides to follow in his mother’s footsteps, he is expected to depart Westminster Abbey wearing the Imperial State Crown, just as Queen Elizabeth II did for her coronation in 1953.
After wearing Queen Elizabeth’s Cartier Halo Tiara to her 2011 wedding to Prince William, Middleton has shown a particular affinity towards the Lotus Flower Tiara and one of Princess Diana’s favorites, the Lover’s Knot Tiara.
We’ll be busy crossing our fingers that Kate Middleton changes her mind.
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