Princess Diana’s Niece Wore Her Aunt’s Wedding Tiara to Her Own Nuptials
When it comes to tiaras, none has ever been quite as iconic as Princess Diana’s. And though it may not have been the pick for Meghan Markle to wear at her and Prince Harry’s May 19 royal wedding, over the weekend it got a chance to take another spin down the aisle, courtesy of Prince Harry’s cousin.
Celia McCorquodale — who is Princess Diana’s niece — married George Woodhouse in England on Sunday and accessorized her princess-style lace gown with the “Spencer Tiara.” The crown is the same one that Princess Di wore to her 1981 wedding to Prince Charles, and it was also worn by Celia’s mom, Lady Sarah; Lady Jane Fellowes, her aunt; and Victoria Lockwood, the first wife of Charles, the Earl of Spencer, her uncle, People reports. The decision for Celia to follow in their footsteps makes sense, because in royal tradition, a bride usually wears a tiara from their own family’s collection on her wedding day, and begins borrowing from their husband’s family once they’re married.
The central part of the family heirloom was given as a wedding present to Diana’s grandmother, Cynthia Hamilton, in 1919. The side pieces were added later on, and are said to have belonged to Frances Manby, the last known Viscountess of Montagu. The tiara, as it appears now, was likely completed sometime in the 1930s.
The fact that Celia chose her aunt’s tiara to wear for her big day is especially notable considering the topper hasn’t been seen in public since Princess Diana’s death in 1997. It’s been exhibited in museums, but this is the first time it’s been worn by a member of the Spencer family. Many people speculated that Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle would choose to honor their late mother-in-law with the crown on their own respective wedding days, but each bride opted for jewels from the Queen’s collection instead. In her 2011 trip down the aisle at Westminster Abbey, Kate Middleton wore the Cartier Halo Tiara, and for her own recent walk down the aisle St. George’s Cathedral, Meghan went with the Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau.
Related: A Rare Glimpse at the Prized Pearls and Jewels That Once Adorned Marie Antoinette’s Head
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