The Painful Truth Behind Princess Diana, Kate Middleton’s Favorite Tiara originally appeared on Parade.
For many female royals, wearing a tiara is a long-awaited milestone and a symbol of royal status. But that beauty doesn’t come without its challenges. Both Princess Diana and Kate Middleton learned this firsthand while wearing the iconic Lover’s Knot Tiara, a dazzling heirloom with a hidden downside.
On July 8, 2025, Kate made a glamorous return to the royal spotlight at her first state banquet in two years. The Princess of Wales stunned in a fire engine red evening gown with elegant cape-style draping, designed by Sarah Burton for Givenchy.
Atop her head, she wore the Lover’s Knot Tiara, a favorite of Princess Diana’s. The dazzling diamond and pearl piece beautifully framed the Princess of Wales’ face, adding a regal touch to her look.
Kate continues to favor this tiara. She wore it for the first time in 2015 at a diplomatic reception, four years after marrying Prince William, the eldest son of Diana and King Charles, according to Harper’s Bazaar.
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However, the striking headpiece carries a history of discomfort. Diana was reportedly candid about the challenges of wearing the bejeweled heirloom, originally passed down from Queen Mary.
The tiara was created for the late monarch in 1914 by the House of Garrard from pearls and diamonds already owned by her family. Maxwell Stone of U.K. jeweler Steven Stone described the discomfort of wearing such a detailed, diamond-and pearl-encrusted accessory.
He told In Style, “The tiara is famously heavy enough to have caused discomfort to Princess Diana, underscoring the exceptional quality of the diamonds and pearls it holds.” Reportedly, the tiara is composed entirely of diamonds and features a collection of 19 hanging pearls, all set in platinum and gold.
Queen Elizabeth reportedly loaned the Lover’s Knot Tiara to Princess Diana as a wedding gift in 1981. However, Diana chose to wear a family heirloom, the Spencer Tiara, for the ceremony. Still, the Lover’s Knot became one of her favorite royal accessories, even though its weight often caused her discomfort.
Diana wore this tiara many times throughout her royal life. However, upon her divorce from Charles, the heirloom was returned to the royal vault. It stayed there until 2015 when Kate wore it to a diplomatic reception.
Royal brides often wear a tiara for the first time on their wedding day, typically borrowed from the family’s collection. Single women who are born into the royal family as princesses are also permitted to wear tiaras.
The Painful Truth Behind Princess Diana, Kate Middleton’s Favorite Tiara first appeared on Parade on Jul 18, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.