This week saw another state banquet, as the royal family hosted the President and First Lady of Nigeria for a State Visit to the UK. Such an event requires white tie, the most formal dress code, which often sees the Princess of Wales wearing a tiara. In fact, this week marked the 15th time she has worn one tiara in particular: the Lover’s Knot.
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Originally made by Garrard for Queen Mary in 1913, the Lover’s Knot tiara is made of diamonds and 19 suspended baroque pearls, so they move with the wearer. This softness and movement is unusual for a tiara of this era, most of which were more static in their design. It was first inherited by Queen Elizabeth II, who lent it to Princess Diana, and it’s said that the piece was among the latter’s favourite jewels. She wore it so frequently, in fact, that it has almost become synonymous with some of her most famous looks, including the white beaded Catherine Walker dress and jacket that became known as her “Elvis dress”.
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Princess Diana in the Lover’s Knot tiara in 1989
Kate, then Duchess of Cambridge, first wore the tiara in 2015 for the annual Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace, marking the first time the headpiece had been seen since 1997. Much like her late mother-in-law, the Princess of Wales has since worn it so many times – the last being during the US State Visit in September 2025 – that it has become one of her most-worn pieces. What’s the reason for this? Well, there’s clearly the sentimental link to both Diana and Queen Elizabeth II; in choosing such a recognisable piece, Kate is paying tribute to both of the tiara’s former wearers. It could also be due to the romantic design, which pairs perfectly with Kate’s feminine style.
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Kate wearing the Lover’s Knot tiara in 2015
As Claire Scott, design and development director at Garrard, says: “The Lover’s Knot Tiara is a true expression of Garrard’s design language, where romantic symbolism meets exquisite craftsmanship. The suspended baroque pearls bring the piece to life, giving it movement and grace. The lover’s knot itself is deeply tied to our heritage, a reimagining of the Sovereign motif, notably seen on the Sovereign’s Sceptre set with the Cullinan I diamond [the largest colourless cut diamond in the world]. This design thread runs through our 290-year history, continuing to inspire today’s high jewellery designs and collections.”
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Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Lover’s Knot tiara in 1954
The Lover’s Knot is so spectacular that experts have valued it at £1,000,000, but the original design could have been worth even more, as Garrard explains that it was “originally topped with a row of upright pearls taken from the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara; the piece was later adapted with a line of brilliant-cut diamonds.”
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An original 1913 sketch of the Lover’s Knot tiara
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The Princess of Wales wearing the Lover’s Knot tiara in September 2025
There is also a connection between the Lover’s Knot and the Princess of Wales’ engagement ring, inherited from Princess Diana, as it was also made by the House of Garrard. The ring famously boasts a 12-carat blue sapphire surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds, and is estimated to be worth between £300,000 and £400,000.
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