Kate Middleton dons the Lover's Knot Tiara alongside a bold red Givenchy dress at the French State Banquet
In a significant return to royal duties, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, graced the State Banquet at Windsor Castle on July 8, 2025, wearing the Lover's Knot Tiara. This marked her first tiara appearance since December 2023, and it was a poignant moment as she paired the iconic headpiece with a red Givenchy gown by Sarah Burton.
The Lover's Knot Tiara, one of Kate's most frequently worn tiaras since her marriage to Prince William, was originally created for Queen Mary in 1914 by the House of Garrard. It was made from pearls and diamonds already owned by Queen Mary's family. The tiara, which was a favourite of Princess Diana, was later passed down to Queen Elizabeth II.
Kate's choice of the Lover's Knot Tiara for the State Banquet for France's President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron was a fitting tribute to the long-standing friendship between the British and French royal families. The Princess of Wales wore the tiara with grace and elegance, adding a touch of royal glamour to the grand occasion.
Since becoming Princess of Wales, Kate has worn the Lover's Knot Tiara on multiple notable occasions but relatively sparingly. Her most recent wear before the 2025 banquet was at the annual Diplomatic Reception in December 2023. While she has worn the tiara multiple times over the years, she does not wear it at every formal event—there was nearly a year and a half gap between her December 2023 and July 2025 appearances.
Emily Burack, the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, reported on Kate's appearance, highlighting her choice of the Lover's Knot Tiara. Before joining Town & Country, Emily was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. She covers entertainment, celebrities, the royals, and a wide range of other topics. You can follow Emily on Twitter and Instagram under the handle @emburack.
Kate's appearance at the State Banquet comes after she stepped back from royal duties for the majority of 2024 due to cancer recovery. In a heartfelt statement in December 2023, Kate revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer and shared that life following cancer recovery has been very difficult. She expressed that post-treatment life is "really, really difficult" because "you're not able to function normally at home as you were perhaps once used to."
Despite the challenges she has faced, Kate continues to carry out her royal duties with grace and determination. As she moves forward, it is clear that the Lover's Knot Tiara will continue to be a significant part of her royal wardrobe, reserved for special state banquets and key formal royal events.
- The Lover's Knot Tiara, a headpiece with deep roots in royal history, was originaly created for Queen Mary in 1914.
- Emily Burack, a news editor known for her coverage of entertainment, celebrities, and the royals, reported on Kate's poignant appearance at the State Banquet.
- In the realm of pop-culture, the Lover's Knot Tiara is often associated with style and art, as seen in Kate's pairing of the iconic piece with a red Givenchy gown.
- The return of Catherine, the Princess of Wales, to the world of royal duties was not just a cultural event but also a significant news story, with her choice of jewelry at the State Banquet garnering much attention.
- The jewelry-loving society eagerly follows the fashion choices of the royals, including Kate's preference for the Lover's Knot Tiara, a piece that was also loved by Princess Diana.
- The continuous display of resilience and determination by Catherine, the Princess of Wales, in the face of personal challenges, has become a touchstone of inspiration within the broader context of entertainment and pop-culture.
