< Historic Diamonds / Royal Stories
Kate Middleton Stuns in the Oriental Circlet—Her Largest Diamond Tiara Yet
The Princess of Wales wore Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara for the first time at the Windsor Castle State Banquet last night. The iconic royal jewel has a fascinating history and legacy.
Published: December 4, 2025
Written by: Hannah Militano
The British royal family’s third State Visit of the year saw Kate Middleton debut her biggest tiara yet. The fifth tiara ever worn by the Princess of Wales, she sported Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara to welcome the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender to Windsor Castle.
The first day of the visit culminated in a State Banquet attended by senior royals, including Prince William, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. German supermodel Claudia Schiffer was also among the 152 distinguished guests. At the resplendent affair in Windsor Castle’s St George’s Hall, the German President was seated between King Charles III and the Princess of Wales.
Meet the Experts
Sara Prentice is the Chief Creative Officer of Garrard. She has previously worked with an array of luxury jewelry brands like Cartier, Faberge and Graff.
Claire Scott is the Design & Development Director at Garrard. Scott previously held positions like Senior Jewelry Designer and Head of Design at the first official Crown Jeweler. With over 20 years of experience in the luxury jewelry industry, Scott has developed iconic collections and custom commissions at some of the most prestigious jewelry houses in the world.
Kate Middleton Wore Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara for the First Time
Princess Kate arrived in a shimmering periwinkle blue Jenny Packham gown, diamond chandelier earrings that once belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal Family Order, and the Royal Victorian Order sash and star. But the star of her ensemble came in the form of Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara. Middleton’s third tiara moment of 2025, the German state banquet marked the first time she has ever worn the historic headpiece.
Originally crafted under the direction of Prince Albert, royal experts believe Middleton’s decision to wear the Oriental Circlet Tiara might be a poignant homage to Prince Albert’s German heritage.
Since her 2011 wedding to Prince William, the Princess of Wales has worn a tightly curated selection of tiaras: the Cartier Halo Scroll Tiara, the Lotus Flower Tiara, the Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara, the rarely-seen Strathmore Rose Tiara, and now the historic Oriental Circlet. This latest choice expands her royal lineage even further—these storied pieces have been adored and worn by Queen Mary, the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret, Princess Anne, Princess Diana, and, with the Oriental Circlet now in her repertoire, Queen Victoria as well.
The History of Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara
The first official Crown Jeweler, Garrard was commissioned to create Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara in 1853 by Queen Victoria, and was designed under the direction of her husband, Prince Albert. The royal jewel is said to embody the couple’s shared love of art, architecture, and design.
The tiara was originally set with 2,600 natural diamonds and a collection of opals, one of Prince Albert’s favorite gemstones. Said to have been inspired by the jewels presented to Queen Victoria by the East India Company, the tiara’s Mughal-inspired design includes lotus flower motifs and regal arches.
When the tiara was inherited by Queen Alexandra in 1901, she requested Garrard make a few alterations. Alexandra believed opals to be unlucky, so she had them replaced with a sprinkling of Burmese rubies from Victoria’s collection. She also reduced the number of arches from seventeen to eleven sections.
The Oriental Circlet Tiara’s Journey from the Queen Mother to Queen Elizabeth II
In 1936, the Oriental Circlet was passed down to Queen Elizabeth, later the Queen Mother, who revived the jewel’s prominence by wearing it frequently. She was photographed in the tiara countless times, including in iconic Cecil Beaton portraits, and her likeness in the piece even appeared on currency and stamps. The Queen Mother also chose the historic tiara for the eve of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953, further cementing its royal significance.
After her passing in 2002, the tiara was passed from the Queen Mother to Queen Elizabeth II, who wore it once during her reign on a state visit to Malta in 2005.
Why the Oriental Circlet Tiara Matters Today
Garrard considers Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara one of the most important Victorian-era jewels in the Royal Collection and among the earliest and most significant tiaras created by Garrard for the British Royal Family.
“The Oriental Circlet is an extraordinary example of both artistry and technical skills,” says Garrard Design and Development Director, Claire Scott. “Designed for opals and later adapted for rubies, its evolution reflects not only the changing tastes of its royal custodians but the craftsmanship and precision that define Garrard. Adjusting the arches and replacing the stones required exceptional finesse, a flexibility in design that remains central to our work today, whether creating bespoke jewels or reimagining heritage pieces for new generations.”
According to Sara Prentice, Chief Creative Officer of Garrard, “It’s wonderful to see the hugely positive response to this particular Garrard tiara. A new generation who value permanence are reshaping and rediscovering each iconic Garrard creation. It inspires us to shape brilliance for today’s great love stories.”
