Princess Diana’s wedding will forever go down as one of the most memorable moments in British royal history. An estimated 750 million people tuned in globally to watch her tie the knot with then-Prince Charles on July 29, 1981. To this day, many can conjure up visuals from the lavish ceremony, namely Diana’s unforgettable look, from the dramatic puffy sleeves on her silk taffeta wedding gown and its record-breaking 25-foot train to the gorgeous tiara she wore atop her head.
While her dress was passed down to her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, it appears the jury is still out on who will inherit Diana’s coveted headpiece. However, one thing is clear—it won’t be going to Princess Kate or Duchess Meghan.
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While Kate has inherited quite a few pieces from her mother-in-law’s jewelry collection, including her stunning sapphire engagement ring, the Princess of Wales will not acquire the Spencer tiara.
The family heirloom was worn by both of Diana’s older sisters, Jane and Sarah, at their weddings. Meghan reportedly wanted to wear the Spencer tiara when she exchanged vows with Harry on May 19, 2018. However, Queen Elizabeth II denied her request. Kate also didn’t wear Diana’s tiara when she wed William on April 29, 2011. Meghan ultimately wore Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau Tiara on her special day, while Kate wore Elizabeth’s Cartier Halo Tiara.
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According to The Sun, the Spencer tiara is reportedly worth more than $500 million and was originally made for Diana’s grandmother, Cynthia Spencer, wife of the 7th Earl Spencer, in 1937.
According to The Court Jeweller, the headpiece was created from a set of 19th-century diamond ornaments. As described by Sotheby’s, the intricate tiara is “designed in the garland style as a central heart flanked by continuous running scrolls, interspersed with star- and trumpet-shaped flowers. Set throughout with circular- and rose-cut, cushion- and pear-shaped diamonds, mounted in gold.”
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Following Cynthia’s passing, the tiara was inherited by her son, John, the 8th Earl Spencer, who is Diana’s father. Upon John’s passing, the Spencer tiara was passed down to Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer. As such, the jewelry does not belong to the British royal family and will remain in the Spencer family.
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Although the tiara never belonged to Diana, she did borrow it on several occasions, including her official tour of Australia in 1983, a banquet in New Zealand in 1983, a state dinner in Australia in 1985, an event at the German Embassy in London in 1986, and during an official visit to Portugal in 1987. Following Diana’s passing in 1997, the tiara remained in her brother’s possession.
Some publications have claimed Kate and William’s daughter, Princess Charlotte, will inherit her grandmother’s tiara. However, according to The Court Jeweller, the piece will be passed down to Charles Spencer’s son, Viscount Althorp, upon his death.