Watching a British royal wedding in person or on television is a lot of fun. The Brits know how to put on a show. Of all the many things any wedding shows off, it is the wedding tiara that really stands out. These are the showpieces that set off the whole thing. Here’s a list of the greatest of all British royal wedding tiaras.
The Poltimore Tiara
There are a few tiaras that continue to stand out long after the wedding. The mighty Poltimore tiara graced the head of Princess Margaret. Queen Elizabeth II’s petite sister was one of the lovelies royals. Her glorious brown hair, tiny waist and turquoise eyes were nicely set off by this purchased tiara. The tiara was designed to give her some height. It’s a high impact piece with beautiful details and easily seen at a distance. That makes this one to remember today even after it left the royal family. After she died, her children sold it off.
The Spencer Family Tiara
When Lady Diana Spencer became engaged to the Prince of Wales, many people didn’t know who she was. The future mother of Prince William and Harry actually came from a storied family with deep roots in the United Kingdom. Her father was an Earl and lived in an estate with incredible treasures.
One of the most impressive of the family’s heirlooms is the Spencer family tiara. This scrolled piece is one of two major tiaras the family owns. Diana was given a choice of tiaras from the queen’s vault. She wanted to honor her own family’s heritage instead. Her father suffered a stroke before she got married but was still able to walk her down the aisle. The tiara was made from other existing family pieces but it still has a pleasing uniform look. Princess Charlotte may again borrow it one day.
The Cartier Halo Tiara
The Cartier halo tiara is one of the smallest of all tiaras in the British royal family’s hands. It’s also a piece with impact. Originally purchased for the Queen Mum, it was rarely seen in public until Katherine Middleton married her prince. The petite curves on this one are elegance itself. There’s a certain lushness to the tiara that continues to please the eyes. This tiara is not as big as some of the others on this list but it has had a big feel. Where this one comes to life is in the details. The Art Deco style is grounded in a specific time and place. At the same time, it’s also a tiara that speaks of modern lines and offers contemporary style. Royal watchers understandably rank this one highly.
The Queen Mary Diamond Fringe Tiara
Queen Elizabeth II chose this one on her wedding day. She also lent it to her granddaughter Beatrice on her own wedding day. The fringe was a present from her own grandmother Queen Mary. It’s essentially a wall of diamonds set vertically in a frame. The shape pays homage to the Russian kokoshnik. This is not a unique tiara but it is a pretty example of the kind of tiaras women have worn traditionally on their wedding days.
The Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara
Another Kokoshnik can be seen on the head of Beatrice’s sister Eugenie. This one uses emeralds as well as diamonds. The tiara had not been seen until Eugenie choose it. For many spectators, the choice of this tiara was a huge but much welcome surprise. The tiara is one of the few that can manage both lots of color and diamonds at the same time. It’s a tiara that works well with Eugenie’s dark hair and her green eyes. She used it to memorable effect with an off the shoulder wedding dress. Princess Eugenie made a bold and beautiful statement about her personal wedding jewelry style.
