Prince William and Kate Middleton on September 17, 2025
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The Gist
Kate Middleton has worn five different tiaras throughout her royal life, since marrying into the royal family in 2011.
By far and away the one she has worn the most often is the Queen Mary Lover’s Knot Tiara, which was also a favorite of Princess Diana’s.
There is an “emotional reason” connected to not just Diana but also Prince William as to why the Princess of Wales continues to return to the sparkler time and time again.
Out of the five tiaras Kate Middleton has worn throughout her nearly 15 years as a member of the royal family, she has worn one more than any other—the Queen Mary Lover’s Knot Tiara.
Kate Middleton at the Nigerian state banquet on March 18, 2026
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For comparison’s sake, the Princess of Wales has worn this tiara 15 times, including at last week’s Nigerian state banquet on March 18. The next closest number of repeat wears is the Lotus Flower Tiara, which the future queen has worn three times; there are three other tiaras Kate has only worn once—the Cartier Halo Tiara (which she wore on her 2011 wedding day), the Strathmore Rose Tiara, and Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara, which she debuted to much fanfare at the German state banquet last December.
Princess Diana in Hong Kong wearing the Queen Mary Lover’s Knot Tiara
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According to former royal butler Grant Harrold, there’s likely a deeper reason Kate keeps turning to the Queen Mary Lover’s Knot Tiara—and it has to do with her husband, Prince William. Before Kate made it popular again, William’s mother Princess Diana also counted the Queen Mary Lover’s Knot Tiara as her favorite. By wearing Diana’s favorite tiara, she’s not only honoring her late mother-in-law, but also William, her son. Wearing this tiara keeps Diana top of mind, Harrold said.
Kate Middleton at a state banquet on October 23, 2018
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“It’s obviously a favorite of Kate’s, and it’s easy to see why, as it’s an incredible piece of jewelry,” Harrold tells InStyle. “It suits her perfectly and works well with her hair, as it can be worn with both up and down styles. However, I believe there is a stronger, more emotional reason why we’ve seen her wearing it so often since she joined the royal family. It’s very much a tribute to Diana, as it was one of her favorite pieces.”
Kate Middleton on December 5, 2023
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Queen Elizabeth gave the Queen Mary Lover’s Knot tiara to Diana soon after her 1981 wedding to Prince Charles. Diana wore it often during her years as a royal, “Despite reportedly finding it uncomfortable, as it’s so heavy,” Harrold says on behalf of Slots Temple. “Many of Diana’s most iconic fashion looks feature this tiara, and it’s still something many people associate with her.”
Like Kate’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring—which Diana owned before her—the Queen Mary Lover’s Knot Tiara is made by Garrard, which holds a prestigious Royal Warrant.
Kate Middleton on December 11, 2019
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“So I believe Kate wears this [tiara] to keep her late mother-in-law’s memory alive,” Harrold says. “Kate will know how much William misses his mother, so I think she makes a conscious effort to incorporate elements of her during her time as Princess of Wales. I’m sure [William] will remember his mum wearing the tiara, and I imagine it will mean a lot to him when he sees Kate in the piece.”
“There are obviously many comparisons between the two royal women, and this is a way Kate can ensure people continue to talk about and remember Diana,” Harrold adds. “I think it’s very clever and special and shows how thoughtful Kate is.”
Kate Middleton on July 8, 2025
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As the tiara’s name suggests, Queen Mary initially commissioned the piece from Garrard in 1914, and after her death in 1953, it was passed down to her granddaughter Queen Elizabeth. After Diana married into the family in 1981, she wore it with aplomb, despite “the fact that it was so heavy to wear that it is said to have given her headaches,” Tatler reported.
Kate Middleton on November 22, 2022
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After Charles and Diana divorced in 1996, the tiara went back to the Buckingham Palace vaults. It wasn’t seen again until 2015, when Kate—then the Duchess of Cambridge—brought it out for the first time for an annual diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace.
Read the original article on InStyle