In a move that captivated royal watchers and fashion critics alike, Catherine, The Princess of Wales, stepped out for a state banquet at Buckingham Palace wearing a piece of royal history long thought to be lost to the vaults: the Strathmore Rose Tiara. The breathtaking floral diadem, which has been out of the public eye for nearly a century, made a spectacular return, confirming Kate’s status as a modern royal with a deep respect for tradition.
The choice was a significant one. The tiara, a delicate garland of wild roses rendered in diamonds, had not been worn publicly since the 1930s. Its last prominent wearer was Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, who received it as a wedding present from her father, the Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, in 1923.
Crafted by the London jeweler Catchpole & Williams, the tiara is a masterpiece of early 20th-century design. It reflects the popular “bandeau” style of the 1920s and is remarkably versatile. The diamond roses can be detached and worn as brooches, and the tiara itself can be worn low across the forehead, as the Queen Mother preferred, or traditionally on top of the head, as Kate chose to style it.
Its long absence from the public stage has been a source of speculation among jewelry experts for decades. Many wondered if the delicate frame had become too fragile for wear. Its reappearance, looking as brilliant as ever, has put those fears to rest and delighted historians. Royal experts are calling the choice a “masterstroke,” suggesting it’s a touching tribute to the Queen Mother’s legacy and a symbol of continuity within the royal family.
For the formal occasion, the Princess paired the historic tiara with a stunning white gown by Jenny Packham, adorned with intricate silver embellishments. She completed the look with a pair of diamond earrings belonging to the late Queen Elizabeth II, further cementing her connection to the monarchy’s most iconic women.
This is now the fourth tiara the Princess has worn. Her rotation began with the Cartier Halo tiara on her wedding day, followed by the Lotus Flower tiara, and most frequently, the Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot tiara. By choosing the Strathmore Rose, Kate is not only expanding her royal repertoire but also proving her confidence in carrying the weight of the institution’s most precious and symbolic treasures. The move is being hailed as a sign of her readiness for her future role as Queen Consort.
Image Referance: https://www.usmagazine.com/stylish/news/kate-middleton-wears-strathmore-rose-tiara-for-first-time-in-100-years/