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Kate in Glittering Diamond Tiara for Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace

This evening the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the Queen’s annual diplomatic reception. The event was a white tie affair at Buckingham Palace, bringing our first photos of Kate in a tiara since her wedding day.Jesal / Tanna / Splash News

Kate is wearing the Lotus Flower tiara, also referred to as the Papyrus Tiara; it originally belonged to the Queen Mother. The Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor explains it was actually made from a necklace.

It was made from one of her wedding gifts, a necklace of a Greek key pattern with pendant diamonds and pearls given by her husband, the future George VI.

Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor

Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor

A Tiara a Day notes that the original necklace was created by Garrard Jewelers.  In the 1920s (when she was known as the Duchess of York) the Queen Mum decided she preferred the diamonds and pearls be worn atop her head as opposed to around her neck. Garrad was given the task of disassembling the necklace and then recreating it into the tiara seen on the Queen Mum and then on Princess Margaret, and now, on Kate. (It has also been worn by others. Princess Margaret’s daughter-in-law, Viscountess Linley, née‎ Serena Stanhope, wore it on her wedding day.) 

It is one of the more delicate tiaras in the royal vault. In some respects it looks lighter (not in weight, but in design and appearance) than the Cartier Halo tiara worn by Kate on her wedding day in 2011.

Splash News

Splash News

HM loaned the Halo Scroll to Kate for the wedding. Had Kate any desire to wear it again this evening that would not have been possible. The tiara is part of the Cartier: Style and History exhibit at the Grand Palais opening tomorrow. Many thanks to Joyce (auntym210 on Twitter) for letting us know the tiara is included in that exhibit.

Kate also wore the diamond chandelier earrings loaned to her by the Queen. We have seen the Duchess wear them previously, she is shown below wearing them at the BAFTA dinner in Hollywood during the 2011 North American Tour, and then again this evening.

Royal Photographer Mark Stewart verified the Duchess was in a gown by Alexander McQueen. It is another piece using lace, it also features eyelash lace, similar to the McQueen dress worn for the Jubilee church service in 2012. We compare lace at the necklines below.

Top: PA Wire / Bottom: Jesal-Tanna-Splash News

Top: PA Wire / Bottom: Jesal-Tanna-Splash News

The color of the dress reminds me of that icy blue of the Emilia Wickstead worn to the National Portrait Gallery this April.Weir Photos /Splash News

Kate’s hair was styled in a partial updo for tonight’s engagement.Jesal / Tanna / Splash News

It is unlikely we will see any photos from inside the event, we didn’t even expect to see photos of Kate and William arriving.

Tonight’s Tip of the Tiara (no pun intended, but appropriate nonetheless) to Mark Stewart (the same mentioned above) and Jesal Parshotam of Ikon Photos for bringing us photos of Kate and William arriving at Buckingham Palace event.

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A quick update to Kate’s Calendar: This Friday (the 6th) Kate will have tea with children and family members at the Shooting Star Children’s Hospice. She will also watch a music therapy session and meet volunteers. In addition to Kate’s own interest in the children’s hospice movement, this would fall under the umbrella of her EACH Patronage.

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Also this evening, we want to announce the lucky winners of our wonderful giveaway sponsored by the always-generous Links of London.

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Brenda

Thursday 5th of December 2013

On the wearing of important jewels (since it's bound to come up in Susan's next post), it does take getting used to. Diana had an advantage: she was a Spencer. The Spencers are aristocrats, and have their own collection, as do many aristocratic families. There would never had been a call for Carole Middleton to own any important jewelry, and so Kate did not inherit the ability to wear it.

The real pieces Kate owns and which William have given her are pretty minor in comparison with what's available to her. Diana took full advantage, possibly because both the QM and Princess Margaret were still around to coach her. I'd love to see Kate break out even beyond this sweet little tiara and wear an important pin, or necklace, or something special that makes a statement. I think she will soon enough.

Lili

Thursday 5th of December 2013

Somehow I don't think the ability to wear important jewels is "inherited," that it's a matter of one's DNA. Great actresses from quite humble backgrounds have managed it. I doubt very much that Diana had ever worn the Spencer tiara beyond just trying it on for fun before her wedding, and since her mother left the family when she was a child, she wouldn't have had many, if any, opportunities to see her mother wearing it either.

The Countess of Wessex, Prince Edward's wife, has worn tiaras reasonably often and well. She did not grow up as the child of aristocrats either, and in fact comes from a background considerably less monied and luxurious than the Duchess of Cambridge's. Moreover, by the time she married into the royal family, the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret were really past providing any instruction, assuming they assisted Diana, which I have some reason to doubt. The only person who really could have done so was the Queen herself. I imagine that the Queen is doing what she can to provide relevant advice to her granddaughter-in-law as well.

Elizabeth

Wednesday 4th of December 2013

The Duchess gives us a glimpse of the future Queen consort that she will some day be. How beautiful. And William will certainly make a handsome King. Diana would be proud of them both.

melissa

Wednesday 4th of December 2013

Amen. God how I wish Diana was still here.

mslewis

Wednesday 4th of December 2013

I've been waiting for another tiara to appear and I am not disappointed. Kate looks lovely and the dress looks beautiful. I don't think the Duchess is much for jewelry since she seems to wear very little of it, even on formal occasions. Can't blame her. I used to think a lot of jewelry made one look "old" but I've changed my mind as I've grown older. Of course, she had no choice since a tiara is required for diplomatic receptions.

Suzanne

Wednesday 4th of December 2013

I REALLY hope we can get a photo of her full attire. I am dying to see the full view of the tiara and the dress!! This is such a tease just seeing the side view in the car!! I looked up photos of Serena Linley wearing the tiara at her 1993 wedding and was struck by some similarities to Kate's wedding day look.

Lili

Wednesday 4th of December 2013

Really? Lady Linley wore her hair so differently at her wedding, and her dress was quite different, too. It was designed as a reference, a sort of homage, to Princess Margaret's, since the Princess was the mother of the groom.

I'd love to know what you thought was similar. People always see different things, different references and relationships.

Elizabeth G.

Wednesday 4th of December 2013

I was so excited to see this pic of Catherine pop up in my Facebook news feed last night :) She looks gorgeous in the few photos of her in the car, so I can only imagine how regal and beautiful she looked in her complete attire! I had no idea until this post that photographers weren't allowed inside these kind of events (or receptions), but it does make sense. I'm sure this was likely one of the more "intimidating" functions for a new royal such as Catherine to attend. I'd need lots of practice on what to say to those in attendance. I am very impressed with the frequent amount of events William and Catherine have been attending. They must be exhausted! I really don't know how William does an event like this last night and then shows up at another event the next morning. Kudos to them for switching off and doing many solo engagements to allow them to almost always have one parent with George. Great post as always!! Can't wait to see the next engagements later in the week.

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