In the footsteps of Diana: Kate Middleton wears first tiara since becoming Princess of Wales

Kate Middleton has made her debut tiara appearance as the Princess of Wales.

The Princess joined the King and the Prince of Wales and more than 160 guests for a glittering white tie evening affair at Buckingham Palace in honour of the South African president.

The Queen Consort and the Princess of Wales both paid tribute to the late Queen as they stepped out in Elizabeth II’s jewels for their first state banquet in their new roles.

Kate wore a pearl bracelet belonging to the late Queen, as well as Diana, Princess of Wales’s earrings.
PA

Kate wore a pearl bracelet belonging to the late Queen, as well as Diana, Princess of Wales’s earrings.

Kate's outfit consisted of a caped, white Jenny Packham floor length evening dress with sparkling detail on the shoulders, and her go-to tiara, the Lover’s Knot.

Kate also wore the family order, and the GCVO Star and Sash, as well as the four strand pearl bracelet belonging to the late Queen and Diana’s diamond and pearl drop earrings.

The Lover’s Knot Tiara, a diamond and pearl-encrusted headpiece made in 1914, was often worn by her namesake Diana, Princess of Wales.

It was given to Diana by the Queen as a wedding gift in 1981.

The Queen Consort and the Princess of Wales both paid tribute to the late Queen as they stepped out in Elizabeth II’s jewels for their first state banquet in their new roles.
Aaron Chown

It was designed by the Queen’s grandmother, Queen Mary, and based on one owned by Mary’s grandmother, Princess Augusta, who married the first Duke of Cambridge.

Camilla was dressed in royal blue lace evening dress by Bruce Oldfield, the Garter sash, Queen Victoria’s garter order and the late Queen’s family order, as well as the much-missed monarch’s diamond and sapphire tiara.