The historic jewellery worn by Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Queen Camilla at a state banquet honouring Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has drawn attention to a little-known connection between two treasured British royal tiaras.
The formal gathering took place at Windsor Castle on October 20, 2026, as part of the Omani ruler’s state visit to the United Kingdom. Hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, the banquet brought together members of the royal family and distinguished guests for an evening combining diplomatic engagement with centuries-old royal traditions.
Among the evening’s most talked-about details were the elaborate headpieces selected by Kate and Camilla. While the two tiaras appeared distinct in their designs, their shared origins reveal an intriguing story involving Queen Mary and a transfer of pearls between the two pieces.
The Princess of Wales wore Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara alongside a yellow evening gown designed by Elie Saab. The headpiece, recognised for its diamond arches and dangling pearl drops, has become a familiar feature of Kate’s formal royal wardrobe. Queen Camilla, meanwhile, chose the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara, a piece famously worn by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Both jewels were once owned by Queen Mary, the wife of King George V and grandmother of Elizabeth II.
The connection between the tiaras dates back to the early 20th century. The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara was presented to Queen Mary as a wedding gift in 1893. It was purchased through a fundraising initiative led by a committee of women and made by the royal jeweller Garrard. Its original design included 14 upright pearls positioned along the upper section of the diamond headpiece.
Queen Mary later modified the tiara, removing its pearls and replacing them with diamonds. Rather than allowing the pearls to go unused, she incorporated them into the Lover’s Knot Tiara, which she commissioned in 1913. The decision established a direct historical link between the two jewels. Although the pearl arrangement has changed over time, the story remains an unusual example of how royal jewellery was adapted to suit the preferences of its owners.
The two headpieces subsequently became associated with different generations of royal women. Queen Mary passed the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara to her granddaughter, the future Queen Elizabeth II, as a wedding present in 1947. Elizabeth wore it frequently throughout her reign, and it became one of her signature accessories.
The Lover’s Knot Tiara also gained international recognition through its association with Princess Diana. Queen Elizabeth II lent the piece to Diana after her marriage to the then-Prince Charles in 1981. Its distinctive pearl drops and diamond design made it one of the late princess’s most memorable pieces of jewellery.
Following Diana’s death, the tiara returned to the royal collection. Kate began wearing it at official engagements in 2015, continuing its place in the wardrobes of senior royal women. Her choice for the Oman banquet further highlighted the enduring appeal of the historic piece.
Other royal guests also contributed to the evening’s display of heirloom jewellery. Princess Anne wore the Meander Tiara, while Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, appeared in the Honeysuckle Tiara, showcasing additional pieces from the monarchy’s extensive collection.
The banquet’s jewellery choices offered more than a display of royal glamour. Through their historic headpieces, Kate and Camilla highlighted the connections linking generations of British royalty. The shared history of their tiaras, particularly the transfer of pearls between them, demonstrated how individual pieces can preserve stories of royal family life across decades.
As the state visit underscored diplomatic ties between Britain and Oman, the evening’s historic jewellery also served as a reminder of the British monarchy’s enduring traditions and the legacy carried forward through its treasured heirlooms.
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