Princess Diana's Most Stunning Tiara Moments
The Princess of Wales wore a tiara like no one else.
Everyone knows that Diana, Princess of Wales, was a fashion icon, and even inspired the style of future royals, like Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle. It helped that Diana had access to two of the most sought-after tiaras in the world—the Cambridge Lover's Knot and the Spencer tiara—and looked radiant each time she wore them. The Princess also took some risks with her accessories, even turning choker necklaces into elaborate headpieces. Fans of The Crown will be able to see some of these famous tiara moments reenacted in season four, premiering November 15. But first, take a look back at the real-life princess's stunning tiara collection and her greatest formalwear moments.
July 29, 1981
One of Princess Diana's most iconic tiara moments was her wedding to Prince Charles. This was the first time Diana got to wear a tiara and she kept to her roots, choosing the Spencer family tiara. This headpiece has been in the Spencer family for centuries, with origins that date back to the 18th century, though the tiara was gifted to Diana's grandmother, Countess Cynthia Spencer, in 1919. The tiara is a combination of an original base alongside some newer additions created by jewelry house, Garrard. This tiara remained one of Diana's favorites for the rest of her life.
March 30, 1983
Princess Diana continued to wear the Spencer tiara throughout her life. Here, during an official tour of Australia, she paired it with her Royal Order (in yellow, pinned to her dress). Around Diana's neck is the Prince of Wales Feathers Pendant, a gift to Diana from the Queen Mother to mark her engagement to Prince Charles. The pendant contains 18 brilliant-cut diamonds and tiny emeralds surround the Prince of Wales crest.
April 11, 1983
Diana once again chose the Spencer tiara to attend a reception in Australia. This time, though, she paired the tiara with matching sapphire and diamond pieces—a wedding present to Diana from the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.
April 20, 1983
At a banquet in New Zealand, the princess sported the Spencer tiara along with a pearl necklace and matching earrings. Diana completed the look with a powder blue dress by the Emmanuels, who also designed her wedding dress.
April 1983
While visiting New Zealand, Diana chose to wear the famed Cambridge Lover's Knot tiara. The headpiece dates back to Queen Mary, who commissioned the tiara from jewelry house Garrard in 1914. The tiara was then passed down to Queen Elizabeth II, who then lent it to Diana. Now, the Duchess of Cambridge is often spotted in the intricate, beautiful headpiece.
June 18, 1983
To attend at a dinner hosted by the province of New Brunswick, Diana opted, once again, for the Spencer tiara and Royal Order. She chose a bright blue outfit designed by Bruce Oldfield for the occasion.
June 23, 1983
A vision in yellow, the princess brought back the Cambridge Lover's Knot tiara, showing off the headpiece's drop pearls and diamonds. Around Diana's neck is a heart-shaped diamond necklace, a push present from Prince Charles to celebrate Prince William's birth.
May 14, 1984
While pregnant with Prince Harry, Diana glowed at an event hosted at the Royal Academy. The princess chose a white maternity dress with dramatic sleeves, the Spencer family tiara, and the Prince of Wales Feathers Pendant.
October 1, 1985
Princess Diana danced with Prince Charles in Melbourne, during their official tour of Australia. Here, Diana went for a more unconventional tiara look: she took a diamond and emerald choker necklace, which had been a wedding gift from the Queen, and turned it into a headpiece. She paired the tiara-of-sorts with a one-shouldered turquoise gown, designed by the Emmanuels.
November 1985
Looking like an Old Hollywood movie star in this black-and-white shot—taken at a state dinner in Canberra, Australia—Diana wears the Spencer tiara.
November 6, 1985
Princess Diana opted for shades of navy blue at a state dinner in Melbourne, Australia. The princess chose a navy velvet gown with lace detailing, a choker necklace and earrings from the sapphire and diamond Saudi suite, and the Spencer tiara.
May 3, 1986
On a visit to Vancouver, Canada, Diana chose a white long-sleeved lace gown. She paired the delicate dress with the Cambridge Lover's Knot tiara, matching pearl drop earrings, and her Royal Order. (The Lover's Knot was so heavy it hurt Diana's head, but it remained one of her favorites regardless.)
May 12, 1986
During a visit to Tokyo, Diana unveiled a revamped version of the Saudi suite, the sapphire and diamond set she received for her wedding. The princess had the watch from the suite converted into a choker necklace, which Diana could then also wear as a headpiece. Diana paired this unique item with the suite's matching earrings and ring.
July 1986
Princess Diana opted for a more traditional look for an event at the German Embassy in London. The princess chose elbow-length gloves, a pearl necklace and earrings, the Spencer tiara, and a Catherine Walker white and gold gown.
November, 1986
During a 1986 visit to Bahrain, Diana glowed in the Spencer tiara, diamond and pearl drop earrings, and a boatneck white and silver gown.
November 17, 1986
During a royal tour of Saudi Arabia, Diana sported a powder blue and black dress by the Emmanuels to a dinner hosted by the Saudi Crown Prince. Diana completed the outfit with the Lover's Knot tiara.
February 11, 1987
On her official visit to Portugal, Diana stunned in an off-the-shoulder black gown, the Spencer tiara, circular drop earrings, and a bold red lip.
November 1, 1987
Diana, Princess of Wales, attended a banquet during an official visit to Munich, Germany. The Princess paired the Spencer tiara with diamond and aquamarine earrings and, for a fun touch, bright blue eyeliner.
November 2, 1987
At a banquet in Bonn, Germany, Princess Diana chose a black off-the-shoulder gown designed by Victor Edelstein. The princess added color with her sapphire and diamond necklace, a gift from the Sultan of Oman. She topped off the look with the Spencer tiara.
July 14, 1988
While party-going at London's Claridges Hotel, the Princess of Wales pulled out all of the stops, jewelry-wise. She wore the Spencer tiara, Queen Mary's emerald and diamond choker necklace, and her Royal Order to complement her one-shouldered turquoise gown.
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