Duchess Kate's best tiara moments since becoming a royal

January 09, 2021

By Heather Cichowski

It is a very rare thing for members of the Royal Family to wear a tiara. Duchess Kate has been a royal for nearly a decade and she has only worn a glittering tiara on a handful of historic occasions.

Royal jewels, especially tiaras, are reserved for very grand, formal occasions, such as state banquets and the traditional Diplomatic Corps reception at Buckingham Palace where guests get dressed up in white tie. With the coronavirus pandemic altering royal events in 2020, it meant that we didn't get to see a new tiara moment from Kate. But royals fans are eagerly awaiting the next one when it is safe for events to be held.

In the meantime, scroll through the gallery (or click through if you're on desktop) to see many of the times the Duchess of Cambridge has worn a tiara so far.

Photos: © Chris Jackson/Getty Images and Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images

<h2>Prince William and Duchess Kate Wedding, 2011</h2>
<p>Who could forget this one? Kate wore her first royal tiara when she wed <a href=/tags/0/prince-william><strong>Prince William</strong></a> at Westminster Abbey in London on April 29, 2011.
<p>The beautiful bride stepped out in the <a href=/tags/0/cartier><strong>Cartier</strong></a> Halo Tiara (also called the Cartier Scroll Tiara). The stunning crown, which features 800 diamonds, was commissioned by <a href=/tags/0/king-george-vi><strong>King George VI</strong></a> for his wife, the <a href=/tags/0/queen-mother><strong>Queen Mother</strong></a>. It was loaned to Kate by <a href=/tags/0/queen-elizabeth-ii><strong>the Queen</strong></a>, who inherited the sparkler on her 18th birthday.
<p>Kate has yet to re-wear the tiara since her big day!
<p>Photo: © Chris Jackson/Getty Images

<p>The Duchess of Cambridge's bridal look was completed with a bespoke <a href=/tags/0/alexander-mcqueen><strong>Alexander McQueen</strong></a> lace wedding gown and custom <strong>Robinson Pelham</strong> diamond earrings.
<p>Photo: © Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

<h2>State Banquet, 2015</h2>
<p>Kate joined Chinese President <strong>Xi Jinping</strong> (right) at Buckingham Palace, which was held in the latter's honour.
<p>For Kate's first big state banquet, she donned the Lotus Flower Tiara by <a href=/tags/0/garrard><strong>Garrard</strong></a>.
<p>The iconic headpiece has been worn by many royals. It was given to <a href=/tags/0/princess-margaret><strong>Princess Margaret</strong></a> prior to her wedding to <a href=/tags/0/lord-snowdon><strong>Antony Armstrong-Jones</strong></a> by the Queen Mother and it is now in Her Majesty's collection.
<p>A red <a href=/tags/0/jenny-packham><strong>Jenny Packham</strong></a> gown rounded out the duchess's dazzling ensemble.
<p>Photo: © Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool /Getty Images

<h2>Diplomatic Corps Reception, 2015</h2>
<p>Royals fans were given a glimpse of the Duchess of Cambridge's glittering look at Buckingham Palace on Dec. 8, 2015 when she and <a href=/tags/0/prince-william><strong>Prince William</strong></a> were photographed in their car.
<p>The duchess selected the Lover's Knot Tiara (sometimes called the Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara) for the occasion.
<p>The pearl-and-diamond tiara was originally commissioned by <a href=/tags/0/Queen-Mary><strong>Queen Mary</strong></a> from Garrard and went on to be a favourite of <a href=/tags/0/princess-diana><strong>Princess Diana</strong></a>'s. It is now a go-to choice for Kate.
<p>Photo: © Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

<h2>Diplomatic Corps Reception, 2016 </h2>
<p>This event saw Kate in the Lover's Knot Tiara again.
<p>Photo: © Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

The Duchess of Cambridge re-wore her glitzy red Jenny Packham gown to the event and diamond teardrop earrings loaned to her by the Queen.
<p>Kate is pictured here with <a href=/tags/0/camilla-parker-bowles><strong>Duchess Camilla</strong></a>, <a href=/tags/0/prince-charles><strong>Prince Charles</strong></a>, the Queen, <a href=/tags/0/prince-philip><strong>Prince Philip</strong></a> and Prince William at the formal function.
<p>Photo: © Dominic Lipinski-WPA Pool/Getty Images

<h2>State Banquet, 2017</h2>
<p>It was clear that the Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara was becoming a favourite of Kate's when she wore the piece for a third time to this event, held in the honour of <a href=/tags/0/king-felipe><strong>King Felipe VI</strong></a> and <a href=/tags/0/queen-letizia><strong>Queen Letizia</strong></a> of Spain.
<p>The stylish royal's <a href=/tags/0/marchesa><strong>Marchesa</strong></a> gown and ruby-and-diamond Greville Bandeau necklace were just seen. The necklace was on loan from the Queen and marked the first time Kate wore it.
<p>Pearl drop earrings accented the tiara.
<p>Photo: © Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

<h2>State Banquet, 2018</h2>
<p>The mom of three dazzled at another state banquet at Buckingham Palace held for <a href=/tags/0/king-willem-alexander><strong>King Willem-Alexander</strong></a> and <a href=/tags/0/queen-maxima><strong>Queen Máxima</strong></a> of The Netherlands.
<p>The duchess wowed in the Lover's Knot Tiara again and pearl drop earrings that were another cherished piece of Princess Diana's.
<p>Photo: © Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

The Duchess of Cambridge, seen here with Rear Admiral <strong>Ludger Brummelaar</strong>, sported a gathered blue dress from Alexander McQueen and <strong>Queen Alexandra</strong>'s wedding necklace, which was loaned to her by the Queen.
<p>The duchess also debuted a new Royal Family Order, featuring a portrait of the Queen.
<p>Photo: ©vJohn Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images

<h2>Diplomatic Corps Reception, 2018</h2>
<p>The Lover's Knot Tiara sparkled on Kate's head. We can see why it is a firm favourite!
<p>Photo: © Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Kate turned heads in a breathtaking embellished Jenny Packham gown, her Royal Order and glitzy accessories.
<p>Photo: © Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images

<h2>State Banquet, 2019</h2>
<p>At a state banquet for the U.S. president, Kate selected the Cambridge Lover's Knot tiara again!
<p>Photo: © Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

The style maven looked regal in a frilled white Alexander McQueen gown and the Queen Mother’s diamond-and-sapphire fringe earrings.
<p>Her outfit also featured a new Royal Victorian Order and her Royal Order.
<p>Kate is photographed with United States Secretary of the Treasury, <strong>Steven Mnuchin</strong>.
<p>Photo: © Victoria Jones- WPA Pool/Getty Images

<h2>Diplomatic Corps Reception, 2019</h2>
<p>At Buckingham Palace, Kate again wore her favourite tiara, the Cambridge Lover's Knot.
<p>Photo: © Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images

A black velvet gown from Alexander McQueen, one of the duchess's favourite designers, was the perfect choice to complement her jewels.
<p>Duchess Kate accessorized with the ornate <strong>Nizam of Hyderabad</strong> necklace from Her Majesty’s personal collection and a never-been-seen ring on the mom of three's right hand. She was also wearing her Royal Orders.
<p>Photo: © Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images

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