Overview
- At Windsor Castle on December 3, Catherine wore the Oriental Circlet for the state banquet honoring German President Frank‑Walter Steinmeier, marking its first public appearance in about 20 years.
- Prince Albert commissioned the tiara from Garrard in 1853 for Queen Victoria, originally set with opals alongside roughly 2,600 diamonds.
- Princess Alexandra replaced the opals with rubies in 1902 due to a belief that opals brought bad luck.
- Queen Elizabeth II is noted to have worn the piece publicly only once, during a 2005 visit to Malta, after which it remained in storage.
- A photo published by HELLO! appears to show the Princess securing the heavy tiara by twisting a lock of her own hair around the frame.