Royal-Wedding Jewelry: Kate Middleton Wears the Cartier Halo Tiara

Source:vanityfair

by Rebecca Sacks

April 29, 2011, 6:45 AM

Middleton. By Ben Stansall/Getty Images.


Kate Middleton chose to wear the Cartier “halo” tiara, which was made in 1936 and purchased by the Duke of York (later King George VI) for his wife, Elizabeth's mother (also Elizabeth). Queen Elizabeth received it as an 18th-birthday present, at which time she was Princess Elizabeth. The delicate headpiece, which is as understated as a headband of diamonds can be, was lent to Kate by the Queen, though there's a chance she'll come into one of her own soon: the Queen’s 1981 wedding gift to Diana was the Cambridge Lovers’ Knot Tiara. Diana wore a Spencer-family tiara to her wedding.

Kate’s earrings, custom-made by Robinson Pelham to match her tiara, were a present from her parents. The earrings, with acorn motifs, was inspired by the fresh, new Middleton-family crest. Pelham also designed the more floral earrings worn by the other lady in white—maid of honor Pippa Middleton.


Kate's wedding ring, which seemed to have given William a bit of difficulty in the slipping on, is a band of Welsh gold by Wartski, which also crafted Welsh-gold wedding bands for Prince Charles and Camilla.