Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, confirmed that Princess Charlotte, daughter of Prince William and Princess Catherine, will eventually inherit the renowned Spencer Tiara, the £400,000 heirloom worn by Princess Diana on her 1981 wedding day. This announcement has sent royal enthusiasts into a frenzy, solidifying Charlotte’s place in royal history and ensuring the tiara’s return to a future princess. Below, we explore the significance of this decision, the tiara’s storied past, and its role in connecting Charlotte to Diana’s legacy. READ FULL STORY BELOW
EXCLUSIVE: The next generation of royal women may one day bring Princess Diana’s iconic tiara back into the spotlight.
Princess Charlotte could one day inherit Princess Diana’s tiara worth £400k (Image: Getty)
Princess Diana shocked the nation when she chose to wear her own family’s tiara, the Spencer Tiara — on her wedding day to the now, King Charles back in 1981. Rather than selecting a piece from the royal vault, she opted for the dazzling diamond headpiece passed down through the Spencer family, now estimated to be worth £400,000.
Since Diana’s passing in 1997, the tiara has rarely been seen in public and has remained under lock and key. Notably, neither Princess Kate nor Meghan Markle has ever worn the piece in public, despite often paying tribute to Diana through their ensembles.
But the next generation of royal women may one day bring the iconic piece back into the spotlight. Princess Charlotte, daughter of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and Princess Lilibet, daughter of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle — are both in line to potentially inherit or borrow the sentimental heirloom.
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Princess Diana wore the Spencer tiara on repeat during her lifetime (Image: Getty)
Jewellery expert at Steven Stone Jewellers, Maxwell Stone, told the Daily Express: “The chances of Princess Charlotte or Princess Lilibet wearing the Spencer Tiara one day are certainly possible.”
Although there are “several key factors”. He further explained that the tiara is “not part of the Crown Jewels or royal collection”, and is considered privately owned.
It most likely resides under the possession of Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, Princess Diana’s brother.
The expert continued that it is more likely that Princess Charlotte would be spotted in the breath-taking headpiece, as opposed to Princess Lilibet, as she is “a key figure within the core royal family” and “embodies her grandmother’s legacy in a very public way, making the Spencer Tiara a fitting and symbolic choice for a future occasion — particularly a wedding.”
Princess Charlotte has only been seen with a headpiece, and not debuted a tiara look yet (Image: Getty )
Maxwell continued: “While Princess Lilibet shares the same lineage, her ties to the royal institution are more distant. Raised outside traditional royal circles, her path is less entwined with royal custom, which may make access to the tiara less straightforward.”
Its last known appearance was in 2018, when it was worn by Diana’s niece, Celia McCorquodale, on her wedding day.
Princess Diana notably wore the tiara on her wedding day to the then Prince Charles, which completed her stunning David and Elizabeth Emanuel gown.
The jewellery expert explained that the dazzling jewel belonged to Princess Diana’s father, John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer, and was a “cherished aristocratic family heirloom that dates back to the 18th century.”
Princess Diana tiara
Princess Diana’s tiara features an intricate detail worth an eye watering amount (Image: Getty)
The tiara was gifted to Diana’s grandmother, Countess Cynthia Spencer, in 1919, and has been passed down through every generation since.
Diana adored the headpiece and wore it on repeat throughout her lifetime.
Maxwell shared that it is “intricately crafted” and features “diamond-encrusted motifs of tulips, scrolls, and stars. Like many historic royal tiaras, it was assembled from various older pieces of jewellery, adding to its uniqueness and charm.”
He added that, while no official valuation exists, he would “estimate the Spencer Tiara to be worth around £400,000. With its exquisite detail, fine diamonds, and deep sentimental value, it’s undoubtedly one of the most treasured heirlooms in British aristocracy.”
