Kate Middleton donned the Strathmore Rose tiara—a headpiece once belonging to the Queen Mother that has not been publicly worn for nearly nine decades—to a royal banquet with Prince William.
This Kate Middleton look just took the crown—or rather, the tiara.
The Princess of Wales turned heads in the Strathmore Rose tiara—a diamond-studded headpiece once belonging to the Queen Mother that has not been publicly worn since the 1930s—at a state banquet inside Buckingham Palace on Nov. 21. She paired the rarely-seen diadem with a white Jenny Packham gown featuring a short cape and gold embellishments, as well as earrings that previously belonged to Queen Elizabeth II, resulting in royally stunning look that paid tribute to the two generations of matriarchs in the royal family.
For the regal occasion, Kate was joined by her husband Prince William and her in-laws, King Charles III and Queen Camilla, as they welcomed President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeo and First Lady Kim Keon Hee.
However, this was not the first time the 41-year-old wore a tiara to a state dinner. Just last year, Kate sported the Lover’s Knot tiara—an accessory known to be a favorite of the late Princess Diana—to a black-tie affair honoring South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. At the time, she completed the look with a cream-colored Jenny Peckham gown and pearl drop earrings that also belonged to Diana.
Kate has only worn four different tiaras in her royal career so far. For her 2011 wedding to William—with whom she shares kids Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5—Kate donned the Cartier halo tiara, which was a gift from King George VI to the Queen Mother that was passed down to Queen Elizabeth on her 18th birthday.
Yui Mok//Pool/AFP via Getty ImagesShe then stepped out in the Queen Mother’s Lotus Flower tiara in 2013, before wearing it again to palace occasions in 2015 and 2022.
However, the Lover’s Knot may be Kate’s favorite, as she’s worn it four different times in the span of seven years.
To see Kate in her various tiaras, as well as more royal jewels, keep reading.
Victoria Jones – Pool/Getty ImagesFor a Diplomatic Corps reception at Buckingham Palace in December 2022, the Princess of Wales styled her sparkly Jenny Packham gown with several regal accessories, including Queen Elizabeth II‘s Royal Family Order badge, the sash and star of the Royal Victorian Order, diamond frame earrings, a diamond Art Deco brooch and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother‘s famed Lotus Flower Tiara.
Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesShortly after succeeding the Princess of Wales title, Kate wore this stunning Jenny Packham gown with Queen Mary‘s Lover’s Knot tiara to a state dinner in 2022.
Tim Rooke/ShutterstockThere’s nothing more refreshing than seeing a royal who isn’t afraid to wear an item on numerous occasions. The royal last wore this Barbara Casasola number at the 2016 for the Art Fund awards.
Tim Rooke/ShutterstockKate took the army’s salute in a lovely Catherine Walker coat dress, which she paired with matching clutch and shoes.
Victoria Jones/PA WireKate showed the Americans how it is done in a white gown by Alexander McQueen, the same designer who created her iconic wedding dress.
ShutterstockWhen in the presence of the Queen it is pretty important to wear your Sunday finest. For the occasion, the Princess of Wales sported a pink coat dress by Alexander McQueen and a fascinator by Juliette Botterill.
REX/ShutterstockFor the Chelsea Flower Show, the Duchess of Cambridge wore a whimsical dress from British label Erdem.
Karwai Tang/WireImageKate wore the matching blazer and skirt combo to The Royal Foundation’s Mental Health in Education conference.
Anthony Harvey/BAFTA/ShutterstockThe royal stunned in a white McQueen gown for the 2019 BAFTA Awards.
Chris Jackson – WPA Pool/Getty ImagesKate turned heads in this Eponine London dress for Children’s Mental Health Week.
Neil Mockford/GC ImagesThe royal looked fabulous in a tweed jacket and boots at Islington Community Garden.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty ImagesKate looked gorgeous in a Q by McQueen green and blue tartan coat dress in Dundee, Scotland.
Heathcliff O’Malley – WPA Pool/Getty ImagesThe royal isn’t afraid to rock a bold shade, like this pretty magenta she wore to The Royal Opera House.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty ImagesKate was all smiles as she watched a flypast to celebrate the centenary of the Royal Air Force.
Karwai Tang/WireImageThe mother of three stunned in this number for the Family Action Charity.
Samir Hussein/WireImageNext to Meghan Markle‘s royal blues, the Duchess of Cambridge’s monochromatic ensemble makes a major impact.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty ImagesKate took a stroll with Prince William in a coat dress, matching hat and black pumps.
Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesKate have us major holiday fashion inspo in this green and white L.K. Bennett polka dot dress paired with a khaki clutch and matching heels for a visit to Evelina London Children’s Hospital.
Victoria Jones – WPA Pool/Getty ImagesThe princess looked like a real-life Cinderella at a diplomatic reception in this sparkly Jenny Packham gown that featured sheer cap sleeves and clusters of sequins.
Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImageFor an official visit to RAF Akrotiri, Kate rocked a business-casual look that included a forest green Smythe blazer paired with navy trousers and a white shirt.
Stuart C. Wilson/Getty ImagesKate hosted a holiday party in this festive plaid Emilia Wickstead skirt paired with a black Brora cardigan and slouchy black high-heel boots.
Karwai Tang/WireImageThe royal visitsed UCL Developmental Neuroscience Lab at UCL London in a burgundy Paule Ka blazer and skirt paired with a black turtleneck, tights and heels.
Karwai Tang/WireImageKate stunned in a chic blue coat dress that featured a belted waist, button detailing and a collar paired with matching navy pumps and a black clutch to open the McLaren Automotive’s new Composites Technology Centre.
Samir Hussein/WireImageKate attended the Remembrance Day service in a dark green coat with button detailing and a velvet trim collar, cuffs and pockets, and paired it with a fuzzy headband and carried a black clutch.
Samir Hussein/WireImageFor the Tusk Conservation Awards, Kate wore her aquamarine Jenny Packham gown (a stunning look she’s worn before) paired with diamond chandelier earrings, a matching clutch and Jimmy Choo pumps.
Neil Mockford/GC ImagesThe Princess of Wales arrived at Imperial War Museum in a fitted blue sheath dress, nude heels and a matching nude clutch.
Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImageIn honor of Princess Eugenie‘s wedding, Kate wore an all-fuchsia ensemble that included a stunning dress and matching fascinator from Alexander McQueen.
Karwai Tang/WireImageThe mother of three stunned in a burgundy accented Erdem check print dress paired with a matching clutch and heels.
Neil Mockford/GC ImagesKate looked typically elegant for a mental health summit in this beautiful purple Emilia Wickstead dress, nude heels and an Aspinal leather handbag.
John Stillwell – WPA Pool/Getty ImagesThe royal’s blue taffeta Alexander McQueen gown at the state banquet had all kinds of Disney princess vibes from Queen Mary Lovers Knot tiara to Princess Diana’s Collingwood pearl earrings.
