The occasion for this dazzling display of jewels and finery was a state banquet hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla to welcome the President of the Republic of Korea, Yun Suk Yol, and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, on their three-day State visit to the UK. The event saw the attendance of other prominent members of the royal family, including Prince William, Prince Edward, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Princess Beatrice, all bedecked in their finest jewels and medals. The evening featured a sumptuous meal and speeches delivered by the king and the visiting president.
Kate's appearance wearing a tiara was a rarity, as the Princess of Wales has donned one only 12 times since her marriage to Prince William in 2011. Her last tiara outing was in June 2023 at the royal wedding of Prince Hamza and Princess Noor of Jordan, where she wore the beloved Lovers' Knot Tiara, a favorite of Diana, Princess of Wales. Kate has also previously been seen wearing the Cartier Halo Tiara on her wedding day and the Lotus Flower Tiara at the 2022 diplomatic core reception.
What made Kate's choice of the Strathmore Rose Tiara particularly noteworthy was its long absence from the public eye, nearly a century. The tiara was originally a wedding gift from the Earl of Strathmore to his daughter, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, who later became the Queen Mother. She wore the tiara during the 1920s and 1930s, but it never graced the head of Queen Elizabeth II or any other member of the royal family after her. The King kindly loaned the tiara to Kate for this special occasion, adding to its significance.
This glamorous display by Kate contrasted sharply with the conspicuous absence of Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex. Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, who stepped back from their royal duties in 2020, have been residing in California with their two children, Archie and Lilibet. Meghan has never had the opportunity to wear a tiara, as she was not permitted to borrow one from the Royal collection for her wedding or any other event. Her conduct and lifestyle have also drawn criticism for not aligning with traditional royal etiquette.
While some of Meghan's supporters have accused the royal family of favoring Kate over her, alleging that Kate's tiara choice was a subtle jab, royal experts have dismissed such claims. They see Kate's tiara choice as a tribute to the Queen Mother and a gesture of respect toward the South Korean guests. Furthermore, Meghan was not in attendance at the state banquet, as she is no longer a working member of the royal family.
