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. The Princess of Wales attended the annual Diplomatic Reception held at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday evening, alongside Prince William, King Charles and Queen Camilla, where they welcomed over 500 Diplomatic Corps members to the palace’s State Rooms.
This year’s gathering marks the first since Queen Elizabeth II hosted in 2019, as it was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Middleton slipped into a glistening crimson Jenny Packham long-sleeve beaded lace gown for the esteemed event, teaming the look with teardrop diamond earrings, previously owned by Queen Elizabeth, and the seldom seen Lotus Flower Tiara.
The Princess previously wore the sparkling headpiece for the 2015 state banquet for Chinese President Xi Jinping, and before that, for the 2013 Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace.
The Queen Mother reportedly created the tiara from a diamond and pearl Garrard necklace she received as a wedding gift in 1923 from her husband, the future King George VI. The piece was later passed down to Queen Elizabeth’s sister, Princess Margaret shortly before marrying Anthony Armstrong-Jones. The Princess was known to wear the dazzling headpiece often.
Passing the Lotus Flower Tiara down to a third generation, Princess Margaret loaned the piece to her daughter-in-law, Serena Stanhope to wear at her 1993 wedding to Margaret’s son, Viscount Linley, according to The Court Jeweler.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were also out and about on Tuesday evening, when they attended the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Awards gala in New York City.
