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Kate Radiant in Red Gown & Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara

This evening we saw the Duchess wearing the Lover’s Knot tiara for the second time.Duchess Cambridge Tiara Diplomatic Reception

The occasion: the annual diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace.Duchess Cambridge Tiara Diplomatic Reception

The white-tie reception is hosted by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. More from The Daily Mail:

It is also the largest reception held at Buckingham Palace, requiring hours of intricate planning by the Master of the Household and the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps, as well as the commandeering of almost every member of waiting staff.

More than 1,000 people from around 130 countries, including members of the British government, past Prime Ministers and the Archbishops of Canterbury and York attend the gathering.

Here you see the monarchy’s ‘Magnificent Six’ in an unusual photo – it is the first time the Royals have ever posed for a photo at the event.©ROTA / i-Images

At the white tie reception, the highlight of the annual diplomatic social calendar in London, the monarch meets each of the 160 heads of mission accredited to the Court of St James.

In addition to ambassadors, high commissioners and their partners, around 600 foreign diplomats based in London were among the guests together with around 300 British diplomats and senior figures from commerce, education, broadcasting and the arts.

This is the second time the Duchess has been seen wearing the iconic tiara.Duchess Cambridge Tiara Diplomatic Reception

She also selected it for last year’s diplomatic reception, worn with her ice blue Alexander McQueen gown.©ITV/

The tiara was made by Garrard, commissioned by Queen Mary in 1914. It is also referred to as Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara. More from the Court Jeweller:

You’ll remember that Mary was a member of the Cambridge family herself…

…the piece is definitely the most famous lover’s knot tiara today, it was originally a copy of another almost-identical sparkler that once belonged to the Cambridge family. The lover’s knot motif was very popular in the nineteenth century; the knots are the pretzel-like elements at the top of the tiara — the part from which the pendant pearls are suspended.

The tiara is most closely associated with the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

From today’s Daily Telegraph’s story:

The dazzling headpiece was a favourite of Diana, Princess of Wales, and was given to her by the Queen as a wedding gift in 1981.

The diamond and pearl-encrusted tiara… has a strong French influence with a neo-classical design of 19 diamond arches, each cradling an oriental pearl drop.

Via The Royal Order of Splendor (click photo to visit site)

Via The Royal Order of Splendor (click photo to visit site)

Back to The Daily Mail:

It was a copy of one owned by her grandmother, Princess Augusta of Hesse, who married the first Duke of Cambridge, seventh son of King George III, in 1818.

In her will Queen Mary left the tiara to to the Queen who wore it frequently, including at an evening event in 1955.

Another view of Diana wearing the tiara.

From what we can see in the photos, Kate seemed very comfortable and confident tonight.

Kate has worn three different tiaras: the Cartier Halo, the Papyrus/Lotus Flower, and the Lover’s Knot.

Below, the Duchess in previous tiara appearances: at her 2011 wedding; on her way to 2013’s diplomatic reception; at the 2015 China state dinner, the 2015 diplomatic reception; and in the Lover’s Knot this evening.©

UPDATE: We have more background information on the tiara. Ella Kay of The Court Jeweller reports that it is actually the Queen Mary Lover’s Knot tiara, a copy of the original Cambridge Lover’s Knot.

While the piece is definitely the most famous lover’s knot tiara today, it was originally a copy of another almost-identical sparkler that once belonged to the Cambridge family.

Ella tweeted that the “Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara belongs to a German noble family, the Waldburg zu Zeils.” There is more information in this post at The Court Jeweller.  

The tiara wasn’t the only item glittering tonight. The Duchess wore the diamond drop earrings loaned to her by the Queen; they were initially seen at the Place2Be Wellbeing in Schools function in late November, accenting her Preen dress.©Nunn Syndication/Polaris

HM wore the earrings for the State Opening of Parliament in 2012.©Nunn Syndication, Polaris / Nunn Syndication, Polaris

Here are some closeup shots.©REX/Shutterstock, Polaris, Polaris

The Duchess wore the shimmering Wedding Gift bracelet loaned to her for the China state dinner, so called because it was a wedding gift to then Princess Elizabeth from the Duke of Edinburgh, made of diamonds taken from his mother’s tiara.  (Her engagement ring was also created with diamonds from the same source.)

©Pool/i-Images

Here is a better photo of the bracelet, via Her Majesty’s Jewel Vault. There is more information about the bracelet here.Splaash/i-Images/

Kate’s clutch and dress were first seen at the China state banquet last October.©PA Wire/Splash News/Splash News

Like many of her evening gowns, the dress features a fitted bodice that flares into a full skirt. The upper portion of the gown has a lace overlay that is sprinkled with sparkling beads.©i-Images / REX,Shutterstock

This struck me as a ‘wow appearance.’  I know some readers believe the Duchess should have been in a new dress. Seeing a repeated gown didn’t bother me, I thought the color worked well for the approaching holiday season.Duchess Cambridge Tiara Diplomatic Reception

The dress, combined with the updo, jewelry, and tiara created an elegant look.

Looking at Kate on her way to all three diplomatic receptions one sees a transition from perhaps a somewhat anxious appearance the first time she attended the event, to a demeanor this evening that appeared almost serene.Duchess Cambridge Tiara photos

One more photo.©Dominic Lipinski / Pool / i-Images

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Our only other note this evening is a very quick reminder that our 2017 What Kate Wore calendars are now shipping! We are doing a giveaway for one of the wall calendars2017-wall-calendar-3-shot-promo-pormotional-image-covers-and-info-page-small-size-888-x-683

As well as one of our desk calendars.

Both feature the gorgeous work of royal photographer Mark Stewart. You can enter the giveaway here.

UPDATE: Thanks to a comment from Beth I was reminded that I hadn’t posted the winner of our StyleRocks giveaway, arrggh! With apologies, the winner of the diamond ring is Claire G., *thank you* Beth for the reminder.

We’ll see you next week.

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BerlinLondon

Saturday 17th of December 2016

Obviously the tiara and jewelry of the duchess are magnificent. What is interesting to me is seeing her in the group photograph. I have always preferred 19th century or early 20th century depictions of social gatherings in which all ladies are essentially wearing the same kind of dress / silhouette. It gives the impression of harmony that got a bit lost somewhen in the course of the 20th century. For instance: In 1815 all women were in high waisted, straight dresses, in 1865 they were all in hoop skirts,1 885 all in bustles and like the particular silhouette or not, but as a whole it looked beautiful. So here the duchess is wearing a rather full skirt, which I like and in this group its fullness is just perfect because it harmonizes with the Queen and Camilla ( whose skirts are only slightly A-line). None of the ladies is wearing a revealing neck line and since Kate is the by far the youngest it looks perfectly fine to me that her sleeves are short as opposed to the other two. If Kate would have chosen to wear evening gloves, her attire would have been perfect in my eyes. So not wearing them is the only flaw I can see. I hope her shoes are red, because at a grand and highly formal occasion like this no other colour would do with a red dress.

Suzanne

Tuesday 13th of December 2016

Kate's face looks exceptionally beautiful in these photos. Wow! I did notice until another commenter pointed it out that her hair is styled straight back with some volume on top, rather than swept off to the side. I am thinking this new hairstyle really suits her. Her skin looks amazing also. I can't think of a time she looked better. One of these photos should definitely be on next year's calendar.

pca

Monday 12th of December 2016

Well done, great look for her. Love the way the skirt of the dress flows.

But the knee breeches on the men are (despite the tradition) a fail for me. . . . . Just can't go there!

Also, well-written and informative. Thanks.

Mary

Sunday 11th of December 2016

An absolute joy - this post and all the responses; with really fascinating historical background. Thank you.

Karenina

Sunday 11th of December 2016

This is such a brilliant look for Kate. The dress is a repeat and the jewellery as well, but for each of those pieces the repeat is more successful than the original outing. While my mind wan't really made up about the dress last year, I find that I like it a little better. Maybe it has to do with the different photographs, but in the photos from the Chinese State Banquet, the bust and the cap sleeves looked somehow stiff, and seeing the close-ups in the car has definitely altered my perception of the fabric.

But was it truly stunning in this outfit is the combination of hair, make-up and jewels. Kate has a healthy glow, due to make-up, lighting or tan, I don't know, and there is less eye-liner than usual, for which I am thankful. It is definitely the best outing of the Lovers Knot Tiara on Kate, due to excellent tiara placement and a nice updo. Her hair is shinier than last year and has more volume in the back (and the fringe is gone, which is always a plus).

Top marks for the Duchess!

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