MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • On Trend
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • On Trend
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Royals

Apparently, The Queen Had A Very Good Reason For Denying Meghan Markle's First Choice Wedding Tiara

This actually makes sense - by Sukriti Wahi
  • 26 Oct 2020
Apparently, The Queen Had A Very Good Reason For Denying Meghan Markle's First Choice Wedding Tiara

If a new royal biography is to be believed, the Queen reportedly had a good reason for denying Meghan Markle her first choice in wedding day tiara.

While rumours surrounding an alleged feud between Harry and his grandmother over the Duchess of Sussex's wedding tiara have been circling since the couple's 2018 nuptials, it hasn't been until recently that Queen Elizabeth's supposed rationale behind her decision has been detailed.

Explored in the new book Battle of Brothers: William and Harry — the Friendship and the Feuds, author and royal historian Robert Lacey has given royal fans a deeper look into the the 'Tiaragate' saga, including the specific reason why the Queen vetoed the emerald tiara Meghan originally wanted to wear on her big day.

Per an excerpt from the book published by the Mirror, Lacey writes:

"Unconfirmed by the palace—but not denied—we were told that the Queen felt that she had to say 'no' to Meghan's first choice, a beautiful emerald headdress that was said 'to have come from Russia.'

"This was code for a sensitive origin, meaning that the treasure was one of those that had found its way into Windsor hands through 'undefined' not to say dodgy channels—and for an undisclosed price—in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution.

"There was scandal attached. For this reason, the emerald tiara was seldom, if ever, put on public display and it would suit neither the palace nor Meghan herself that spring if newspapers started speculating about which Tsarist princess had worn the tiara and how she had been assassinated."

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on their wedding day
Getty

According to Lacey, Prince Harry did not know about the tiara's problematic past, and allegedly "flew into a rage" when Meghan was told she could not wear it.

"Unfortunately, Harry's ignorance of both history and family tradition meant that he had no understanding of this subtlety," Lacey writes.

Of course, there is typically more than one side to the story and in the royal biography Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family, which focused on the Sussexes, royal authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durrand offered a another take on what transpired between Prince Harry, The Queen and Meghan Markle.

"The tiara selection went wonderfully. The Queen was very happy, Meghan was very happy," Scobie said, according to the Mirror. 

"In fact Meghan's words when that story came out were 'how sad, I love my tiara.'"

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Recommended to you

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

Meghan And Harry Express Concerns Over COVID-19 Misinformation On Spotify

Meghan And Harry Express Concerns Over COVID-19 Misinformation On Spotify

Meghan Markle's Oprah Interview Outfit Appears To Be Sending Two Hidden Messages

Meghan Markle's Oprah Interview Outfit Appears To Be Sending Two Hidden Messages

The Queen Reportedly Shut Down Prince Harry's Demand That Meghan Markle Wear The Tiara Of Her Choice At Their Wedding

The Queen Reportedly Shut Down Prince Harry's Demand That Meghan Markle Wear The Tiara Of Her Choice At Their Wedding

Meghan Markle Praises Prince Harry As A Feminist Role Model For Baby Archie In Conversation With Gloria Steinem

Meghan Markle Praises Prince Harry As A Feminist Role Model For Baby Archie In Conversation With Gloria Steinem

{headline}

{headline}

This Very Odd Royal Family Christmas Tradition Will Leave You Confused

This Very Odd Royal Family Christmas Tradition Will Leave You Confused

Meghan Markle Nails Airport Style As She Touches Down In Sydney With Prince Harry

Meghan Markle Nails Airport Style As She Touches Down In Sydney With Prince Harry

This Is Apparently What Meghan Markle Had To Rehearse Before Meeting The Queen

{headline}

{headline}

The Queen Has Officially Given Meghan Markle And Prince Harry Her Blessing

The Queen Has Officially Given Meghan Markle And Prince Harry Her Blessing

Meghan Markle Is Heralding In A New Era With Her Invictus Games Comeback Wardrobe

Meghan Markle Is Heralding In A New Era With Her Invictus Games Comeback Wardrobe

Meghan Markle Was Joined By Her Mum, Doria During Her Rare Awards Show Appearance

Meghan Markle Was Joined By Her Mum, Doria During Her Rare Awards Show Appearance

Prince Harry Is Taking Legal Action In A Bid To Keep Meghan & His Children Safe

Prince Harry Is Taking Legal Action In A Bid To Keep Meghan & His Children Safe

Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Just Dropped Their (Adorable!) First Family Photo With Daughter, Lilibet Diana

Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Just Dropped Their (Adorable!) First Family Photo With Daughter, Lilibet Diana

The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Share A Rare Public Display Of Affection At  A Royal Christmas Event

The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Share A Rare Public Display Of Affection At A Royal Christmas Event

Meghan Markle Pens Personal Statement Following Courtroom Victory

Meghan Markle Pens Personal Statement Following Courtroom Victory

MarieClaire
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
MarieClaire Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Elle
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • beautyheaven
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Practical Parenting
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Marie Claire

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to Marie Claire