The coronation is an exciting time for the incoming King and Queen, but it’s also a display of royal regalia for all high-ranking members of the family, including Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales.
If you look at past coronations as something to go by, we can expect Kate to come in a purple ermine-lined cape (tied onto each arm like a backpack, no less), and a tiara.
And yes, we were expecting crowns given that the word ‘coronation’ is derived from the Latin corona, literally meaning crown. It would be a touch bizarre to be missing the crowns from the event, but that is just what may happen, according to recent reports.
Why Kate Middleton May Not Wear A Tiara To The Coronation
According to The Mirror the ladies attending the coronation have been in a scramble to sort their sartorial choices for the big day (lord, don’t we know what that can be like!).
A part of this tizzy, has been the question of whether royal women will don tiaras as they head into Westminster Abbey before the Queen consort, Camilla walks in. This includes speculation that Kate Middleton and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, may not wear crowns at all.
The report continues that the indecision has led to “rows” over the tiaras and, which, if any, each woman would wear.
If the royal ladies are not seen in tiaras, it is likely that they will opt for hats and fascinators, although royal fans have commented on Twitter that they would prefer to see tiaras on the big day.
Historically, Tiaras Are Worn At Coronations
When Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in 1953, nearly all the women in attendance wore tiaras to celebrate the day.
Princesses, especially, wear tiaras, with Princess Margaret donning a stunning Cartier tiara for her sister’s coronation.
Given the post-war timing, some fashion historians believe the inclination towards tiaras was a celebration of the free-time spirit and the ability to pull out one’s finest jewels once more.
There is also the chance that Kate may wear a ‘coronet’ or small crown. When Elizabeth and Margaret attended their father George VI’s coronation, they wore small crowns. It’s possible that Kate Middleton’s children could also wear similar ones for the service.
Which Tiara Do We Hope Kate Middleton Will Wear?
There are so many tiaras in the royal collection, but it would be a beautiful moment to pull out an old favourite, the Cartier Halo tiara.
It’s the tiara Kate wore on her wedding day, featuring 739 brilliant-cut diamonds and 149 baguette-cut diamonds. It’s a smaller tiara, so would still fit in with the ‘slimmed down monarchy’ Charles is angling for, and it is also the same tiara worn by Princess Margaret when Queen Elizabeth II was crowned, so it has a very cemented place in coronation history.
It’s possible that Kate may instead choose the Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara, which was a favourite of the late Princess Diana, however, given that Diana said the crown was so heavy it hurt her head, it would make sense to choose a lighter, smaller tiara for the service.
A final option in the middle could be the Lotus Flower Tiara that she was spotted wearing at the Reception For Members Of The Diplomatic Corps in December 2022. It was given to Princess Margaret by the Queen Mother prior to her marriage to Antony Armstrong-Jones, and was passed back into the royal vaults when she passed.
You can find all the tiaras and diadems owned by the royal family here.
