Kate Middleton Kept Her Biggest Tiara Yet in Place with a Genius Hair Hack
- - Kate Middleton Kept Her Biggest Tiara Yet in Place with a Genius Hair Hack
Janine HenniJanuary 1, 2026 at 8:30 PM
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Kate Middleton arrives to attend a State Banquet at Windsor Castle on Dec. 3, 2025 -
Kate Middleton brought an heirloom out of the royal vault at the German state banquet on Dec. 3
The Princess of Wales made her dazzling debut in Queen Victoria's Oriental Sparkler
Princess Kate secured the large tiara with her own hair
Kate Middleton recently had a shining moment in Queen Victoria's Oriental Circlet Tiara, and she kept the heirloom headpiece in place with a clever hack.
On Dec. 3, the Princess of Wales, 43, made her debut in Queen Victoria's Oriental Circlet Tiara at the state banquet at Windsor Castle celebrating the German president and first lady's visit to the U.K.
Princess Kate had a fashion first in the historic tiara and kept the large sparkler in place using a genius trick.
When the Princess of Wales turned to speak to King Charles at one point during the evening, a close look showed how the diamond and ruby tiara remained secure on her head. Her own hair seemed to be woven around the back of the Oriental Circlet Tiara, holding it steady.
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Kate Middleton and King Charles at the state banquet at Windsor Castle on Dec. 3, 2025.
According to Garrard, the London jeweler who made the tiara for Queen Victoria over 170 years ago, there is a small space in the back of the headpiece. Because it is not a complete circle, reinforcement is needed for a secure fit.
The Oriental Circlet Tiara was an especially sentimental piece in Queen Victoria's jewelry box, as her beloved husband, Prince Albert, commissioned it for her in 1853.
When the German-born Prince Consort suddenly died in 1861 at age 42, Victoria was heartbroken. The grieving Queen chose to wear mourning dress, including jewelry, for the rest of her life, meaning that she would never sport the Oriental Circlet Tiara again.
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An 1857 engraving depicting Queen Victoria in the Oriental Circlet Tiara.
In her will, Queen Victoria reportedly stipulated that the Oriental Circlet Tiara could be worn by future queens or queens only, The Court Jeweller reported.
It later became a favorite of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, and was so closely associated with her that her daughter, Queen Elizabeth, wore it just once, in 2005.
At the state banquet celebrating Germany on Dec. 3, Princess Kate became the first princess (rather than queen or queen consort) to wear the tiara in public ever. However, the Princess of Wales is destined to become queen consort when Prince William accedes to the throne one day.
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Prince William and Kate Middleton at Windsor Castle on Dec. 3, 2025.
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Kate's hair twist to keep the tiara in place should be no surprise, as she recently demonstrated a similar trick with her tresses at a royal engagement.
During a visit to Marina Mill in September, the Princess of Wales effortlessly tied her long hair into a low bun before getting to work with a screen printing activity — no hair elastic, pin or clip necessary.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
