As anticipation for the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s, there is a palpable sense of excitement around the event. One of the main questions is what kind of headpieces the royal family will be wearing on the day of the ceremony.
There is much speculation about whether Catherine, Princess of Wales, will be wearing a tiara. This would be a rare occurrence for Kate, who tends to favor more casual headwear. However, according to reports from People, it is possible that the princess may break with tradition entirely and choose not to wear a tiara. The decision is still being discussed within palace circles, so nothing is set in stone.
If Kate does decide to wear a headpiece, she is reportedly considering a “floral headpiece” instead of a tiara. While it is unclear exactly what this would mean, it’s possible that it could be a hat or fascinator adorned with flowers. This would be in keeping with Kate’s style over the years, as she has often worn hats and fascinators with floral decorations.
However, it is also possible that no royal women will wear tiaras at all. This would be a departure from tradition, as women in the royal family have worn tiaras at previous coronations. During Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953, tiaras were worn by nearly every royal lady and aristocratic woman in attendance.
It will soon be seen what kind of dress code will be in place for the coronation. King Charles III has indicated that he intends to “slim down” the monarchy and have a pared-down ceremony. This could mean a more casual dress code than we have seen at previous coronations, which would mean no tiaras.
Royal jewelry expert Lauren Kiehna told People that if a more casual dress code is introduced, we could still see “grand jewels” like necklaces, brooches, and earrings, but no tiaras. In the case of Kate’s attire, this could mean that she simply wears a hat or fascinator on the day of the coronation.
If Kate decides to wear a tiara, it isn’t certain which one she will choose. Since marrying Prince William in 2011, Kate has only been seen wearing three different tiaras on a handful of occasions. These include Queen Elizabeth’s Cartier Halo Tiara, the Lover’s Knot Tiara (also known as the Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara), and the Lotus Flower Tiara.
The coronation of King Charles III. will ultimately be much more modest than the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. and will reflect the “spirit of our time”. Whether Kate chooses to wear a tiara or not, the ceremony is sure to be a historic occasion filled with pomp and pageantry.