I have just received an image of Kate's tiara from the Cartier archives so finally, we can have a good look at what it was that perched on Kate Middleton's head as she so graciously walked down the aisle for her royal wedding. And my hunch was right: this tiara was in fact made in London, making it a very patriotic choice.The Cartier Halo tiara, lent to Kate Middleton, now the Duchess of Cambridge, by the Queen was made in 1936 by Cartier's workshops in London known as "The English Art Works." The tiara is made of platinum and the pretty wave-like shapes are described as 'scroll' or 'palmette' motifs. Here is the official description from the jewellery house: "The tiara, featuring 739 brilliant-cut diamonds and 149 baguette-cut diamonds, was first purchased by His Royal Highness the Duke of York on November 18, 1936 for his wife a few weeks before he acceded to the throne of England after the abdication of his brother King Edward VIII. Highly fashionable in the 1930s, this head ornament appears to create a real halo of light, hence its name: the "Halo Tiara". It has been worn by Queen Elizabeth, who in turn gave it to her daughter, the future Queen Elizabeth II. Princess Margaret, the Queen's sister, also wore the tiara in the 1960s, while Princess Anne, the Queen's daughter, appeared wearing it at several official ceremonies during the 1970s." It is a very pretty and dainty tiara that I am sure will spark a trend for tiaras, particularly in this style. As far as tiaras go, it is reasonably wearable, though I doubt most brides will splash out on those 800 diamonds. Dream on.
