Catherine, the Princess of Wales, Shines in Strathmore Rose Tiara

Even though it has been over a year since Catherine assumed her role as the Princess of Wales, she rarely gets the opportunity to wear a tiara.

Not that she would want to wear one every day, as they can be quite heavy.

However, when the occasion calls for it, she certainly knows how to make a statement.

At the recent state banquet held to welcome the President and First Lady of South Korea to the UK, Catherine opted for the magnificent Strathmore Rose Tiara.

This grand dinner party saw the Princess go all out, donning a stunning white Jenny Pacman gown paired with earrings once owned by the late Queen Elizabeth.

However, it was the floral tiara, which hadn't been seen in almost a century, that truly stole the show.

Its appearance sparked a heated debate, with some claiming that Princess Catherine wore it incorrectly.

Royal experts were quick to provide reasonable explanations for the Princess's choice.

It turns out that the Strathmore Rose Tiara was originally a wedding gift to the Queen Mother from her parents in 1923.

It was purchased from Catchpole and Williams and was made in the 19th century.

What makes this tiara unique is that its flowers can be removed and worn as brooches.

Originally, it was worn lower on the forehead, resembling a flower crown.

However, the Princess of Wales decided to position the floral diamond design two inches back from her hairline, deviating from its traditional placement.

According to jewelry editor Carol Wilton, this change was primarily due to comfort.

She explained that these heirlooms, often referred to as “family fenders,” were known for their weight and tendency to cause headaches.

Therefore, members of the royal family should feel free to wear them in a way that is comfortable for them.

On the other hand, expert Josie Goodbody mentioned that wearing a bandeau, a head ornament popular in the 1920s, was the most fashionable way to showcase such pieces.

This demonstrates how beautiful antique jewels can be reinvented and worn in new ways across generations.

Photographs of the Duchess of York wearing the Strathmore Rose Tiara reveal that she wore it low on her forehead as a bandeau.

At that time, slight alterations were made to ensure it complemented her bobbed haircut and aligned with the fashion trends of the era.

The floral diamond design of the tiara, believed to have been created in the late 19th century, was purchased from London dealer Catchpole and Williams.

Its diamond flowers can also be detached and used as brooches.

Bandeaus during the Art Deco period often featured geometric designs, incorporating motifs like honeycomb, lozenges, and symmetrical settings of large round roses, as seen in the Strathmore Tiara, or lotus flowers, as seen in the Lotus Flower Tiara.

Catherine's decision to reintroduce the Strathmore Rose Tiara holds great significance, considering that she has only been seen wearing three tiaras since joining the Royal Family 12 years ago.

The Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara has been Catherine's go-to choice for numerous occasions.

On her wedding day, she wore the Cartier Halo Tiara, and she has also been spotted wearing the Lotus Flower Tiara during diplomatic receptions and the China State Banquet in 2015.

Notably, the Princess of Wales has opted to wear the Lotus Flower Tiara in a different manner than its original owner, the Queen Mother.

Created in 1925 by Gerard, the Lotus Flower Tiara was crafted from a diamond and pearl necklace that Elizabeth received as a wedding gift in 1923 from her future husband, George VI.

Elizabeth requested Gerard to dismantle the necklace and repurpose the diamonds and pearls into a tiara.