Why did Kate not wear a tiara at the King’s coronation?
The King’s coronation saw all the glitz and glamour one could expect for an event 70 years in the making. Yet, there was not a tiara in sight.
Tiaras are often worn by members of the Royal Family for special occasions, such as state visits, balls, royal dinners, and coronations.
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So when the Princess of Wales turned up at King Charles III’s coronation on Saturday May 6 wearing a crystal fabric headpiece rather than a tiara, some people were confused as to why.
The reason why Kate didn’t wear a tiara to the King’s coronation was because she was in keeping with the King’s scaled-back celebrations.
No member of the Royal Family or any of the foreign royals that attended the service wore tiaras of any kind, and this was likely due to the King’s wishes to make the coronation a slightly more low-key affair.
Charles had just 2,000 guests at his coronation, compared to the 8,000 who attended Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953.
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Charles also became the first monarch to re-wear coronation clothes, choosing to wear items from his ancestors like King George VI and King George V instead of having new robes and gowns made.
Instead of a tiara, such as the Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara that Kate is so fond of, she opted instead for a laurel fabric headpiece, made with sequins and metallic beading by Jess Collett for Alexander McQueen.
In doing so, she created a matching moment with her eight-year-old daughter Princess Charlotte who wore a smaller version of the silver headband. Kate and Charlotte also wore their hair in similar styles, an intricate low bun.
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Kate completed her look with a white Alexander McQueen gown, and pearl drop earrings that once belonged to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
