SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

British RoyalsThe Sussexes

Meghan wears Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau Tiara

The Duchess of Sussex, formerly Meghan Markle, is wearing Queen Mary’s diamond bandeau tiara at her wedding.

Kensington Palace notes that the bandeau element was made in 1932 in England, and the centre brooch dates to 1893. Originally made for Queen Mary – Prince Harry’s great-great-grandmother – it was made as a home for the centre brooch, which was given to her when she was still a princess.

Upon Queen Mary’s death in 1953, the tiara was given to Her Majesty The Queen. The tiara has not been seen on a royal since Queen Mary last wore it, and it has been loaned to Meghan by The Queen.

The bandeau is made of diamonds and platinum. The band itself is in eleven sections “pierced with interlaced ovals and pave set with large and small brilliant diamonds.”

The brooch is detachable and contains ten brilliant diamonds.

Then-Princess Mary received the brooch as a wedding present from the County of Lincoln when she married Prince George, Duke of York.

Today, Meghan is using the tiara to anchor her five-metre veil, which features all the flora insignia of the 53 Commonwealth member nations. She is also wearing Cartier earrings and a Cartier bracelet.

About author

Jess Ilse is the Assistant Editor at Royal Central. She specialises in the British, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Royal Families and has been following royalty since Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. Jess has provided commentary for media outlets in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Jess works in communications and her debut novel THE MAJESTIC SISTERS will publish in Fall 2024.