At a state dinner on July 8, 2025, Kate donned a diamond diadem for the first time since 2023, and it was one Queen Elizabeth had high hopes her former daughter-in-law would wear.
Published on July 09, 2025 11:28AM
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Key Takeaways
- At a state dinner on July 8, 2025, Kate Middleton wore a tiara for the first time since 2023.
- The piece, Queen Mary's Lover's Knot, was first worn by the princess in 2015.
- However, decades prior, in 1981, Queen Elizabeth wanted Princess Diana to wear the tiara for her wedding to Prince Charles.
On July 8, 2025, Prince William and Kate Middleton attended a state dinner alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla in honor of French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, at Windsor Castle. In addition to the lengthy guest list, the event also made a statement with its impressive fashion. Donning a long-sleeve, cape-style red gown, Kate's look included a nod to her 2011 royal wedding, as she opted for a dress designed by the same woman who constructed the ensemble for her ceremony, Sarah Burton. In addition to featuring ties to her own big day, Kate's outfit also appeared to honor Princess Diana—and a wish Queen Elizabeth had for her 1981 nuptials.
To accessorize her look, Kate donned Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara, a piece likely given to her by Elizabeth. However, while the diadem may currently be in Kate's possession, the sparkler has a storied history. Upon Queen Mary's death in 1953, the piece was passed down to her granddaughter, Elizabeth. While the tiara wasn't a favorite of Elizabeth's, she wore it a handful of times throughout the 1950s, according to Town & Country. In 1981, Elizabeth reportedly gave the piece to Diana as a gift for her wedding to Prince Charles. In the end, Diana decided to wear a different headpiece on the day of her nuptials, selecting the Spencer Tiara as a nod to her own family. According to the outlet, the Lover's Knot Tiara did eventually become one of Diana's go-to pieces, even though it often caused her pain due to its weight.
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After Diana's divorce from Charles in 1996, the tiara was reportedly returned to Elizabeth. The piece wasn't publicly seen for almost 20 years—with many assuming that it was placed in the royal vault. However, in 2015, Kate Middleton selected it as part of her look for a reception at Buckingham Palace. Since the princess debuted it as part of her own collection, she's worn the piece a number of times, including for the royal wedding of Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa of Jordan. However, its recent appearance is particularly significant, as it marks the first time that Kate has wore a tiara since 2023. In addition to the headpiece, she accessorized her look with earrings from Elizabeth's collection.
In January of this year, Kate announced that she was in remission from cancer treatment and was looking forward to returning to her public duties. "As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal," she wrote in an Instagram post. "I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead." While the princess was not present for the 2025 Royal Ascot on June 18, she has been in attendance at a number of royal events, including Trooping the Color.
