Why Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle cannot get Princess Diana's precious tiara?

Princess Diana’s wedding to then-Prince Charles on July 29, 1981, remains one of the most unforgettable moments in British royal history. With an estimated 750 million viewers tuning in worldwide to see the royal wedding, Diana’s dazzling look captivated the globe. Every detail was iconic from the dramatic puffy sleeves of her silk wedding gown to its record-breaking 25-foot train. However, it was the glittering Spencer tiara atop her head that completed her fairy-tale ensemble and made heads turn. As per reports, this tiara will never be inherited by Catherine (Kate) Middleton or Meghan Markle.

The heirloom’s journey through the family

While Diana’s wedding dress was passed down to her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, the fate of her beloved tiara remains a mystery. However, one thing is certain Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle will not inherit it. Unlike many pieces in the British royal family’s collection, the Spencer tiara is not a royal asset—it’s a Spencer family heirloom.

According to the reports in The Sun, the tiara, worth an estimated $500 million, was originally created for Diana’s grandmother, Cynthia Spencer, wife of the 7th Earl Spencer, in 1937. Upon Cynthia’s passing, it was inherited by her son, John, the 8th Earl Spencer, and eventually passed to Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer.

Not for Kate or Meghan

Despite Diana’s connection to the tiara, it has remained out of reach for royal wives. Neither Princess Kate nor Duchess Meghan will inherit the coveted piece. While Kate has acquired several items from Diana’s jewellery collection, including her iconic sapphire engagement ring, the Spencer tiara will not be hers.

Similarly, Meghan Markle reportedly expressed interest in wearing the Spencer tiara for her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. However, Queen Elizabeth II denied the request, and Meghan ultimately wore Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau Tiara. Kate, too, wore a different piece on her wedding day: the Cartier Halo Tiara.

A Future for Princess Charlotte?

Although Diana frequently borrowed the tiara for official events, including tours of Australia and New Zealand in the 1980s, it has remained in the Spencer family since her passing in 1997. Some speculate that Princess Charlotte, William and Kate’s daughter, may one day inherit her grandmother’s sparkling legacy. However, reports from The Court Jeweller suggest otherwise. The heirloom is expected to be passed down to Viscount Althorp, the son of Charles Spencer, continuing its tradition as a Spencer family treasure. For now, the iconic tiara remains a dazzling reminder of Diana’s enduring legacy.