Meghan Markle and Princess Eugenie shared a deeply symbolic and unique moment on their wedding days, both of them wearing a tiara for the very first time in public. This was not just a glamorous accessory; it marked a significant step into royal tradition and a memorable milestone for the two women.
Both Meghan and Eugenie chose tiaras from Queen Elizabeth’s personal collection, adding an extra layer of historical significance to their weddings. Meghan, on her big day in May 2018, wore the stunning Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau Tiara. This exquisite piece, with its geometric design and detachable floral brooch, sparkled brilliantly under the May sun as Meghan walked down the aisle at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, to marry Prince Harry. The tiara, a part of the royal family’s treasure trove, added a touch of elegance to Meghan’s simple yet regal gown.
Just months later, in October of 2018, Princess Eugenie followed in Meghan’s footsteps, donning the breathtaking Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara for her wedding to Jack Brooksbank. The vivid emerald centerpiece of Eugenie’s tiara made a bold statement, perfectly complementing her gown with its low back, designed to showcase the scar from her childhood scoliosis surgery. The tiara was not only a beautiful piece but also a poignant symbol of Eugenie’s personal journey and royal heritage.
Tiaras, reserved for the most formal occasions like state banquets, hold great significance in royal circles. For Meghan and Eugenie, these weddings marked not only their first but also their last time wearing tiaras in a public royal capacity. As Princess Eugenie is not a full-time working royal, she typically does not attend the grand state events where tiaras are a customary part of the attire. Similarly, after stepping away from royal duties in 2020, Meghan no longer participates in events that call for such regal adornments, unless circumstances change.
In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry shared the intimate story behind Meghan’s selection of her wedding tiara. While his family had hoped she would wear Princess Diana’s iconic Spencer Tiara, Queen Elizabeth II had other plans. The Queen personally invited Meghan and Harry to Buckingham Palace to try on several tiaras from her collection. Harry described the experience as “extraordinary,” with Meghan being particularly enchanted by one tiara in particular. The Queen told Meghan, “Tiaras suit you,” a moment that left Meghan deeply moved. Harry recalled how the tiara was carefully chosen, showcasing both the Queen’s affection and her desire to ensure Meghan had the perfect piece for her wedding day.
Princess Eugenie’s tiara, the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara, also had a rich history within the royal family. Originally created by the Parisian jeweler Boucheron in 1919 for British socialite Dame Margaret Greville, the tiara was passed down through the royal family after Greville’s death in 1942. The Queen Mother inherited the tiara, and after her passing in 2002, it was bequeathed to Queen Elizabeth II, making it a cherished family heirloom. The tiara’s journey from a socialite’s private collection to Eugenie’s wedding day added a deeper layer of tradition to her special moment.
The tiaras worn by Meghan and Eugenie were not just stunning pieces of jewelry but also symbols of their respective places within the royal family, as well as their personal journeys. These tiaras, passed down through generations of royal women, represented the connection to both the past and the future of the monarchy. For Meghan and Eugenie, these moments were more than just about the sparkle of diamonds and emeralds—they were about tradition, legacy, and the roles they would play within the royal family.
These two royal weddings, and the tiaras that accompanied them, left an indelible mark on the royal family’s history, reminding us that royal style often carries with it profound meaning and significance.
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