It was perhaps the most hotly anticipated tiara of the 21st century, and Kate Middleton didn't disappoint with her wedding day diamonds. When she said 'I do', on Apr. 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey, Kate became a future queen consort. And the tiara she wore for her wedding belonged to the last woman to carry out that role.
The Cartier Halo Tiara was made for the Queen Mother in 1936, the year that her husband unexpectedly became King George VI. It was actually an anniversary gift, crafted for her by Cartier and handed over as she marked 13 years of marriage in April that year. Just months later, George's brother, Edward VIII, abdicated to marry Wallis Simpson and the tiara found itself part of a queen's jewellery box.
It's called the Halo Tiara because its pretty diamonds scrolls, set on tiers of tiny sparkling stones, take on the look of a halo. It's also known as the Cartier Scroll Tiara because of the shapes many of the diamonds are set into. The Queen Mother gave it to her eldest daughter, now the Queen, for her 18th birthday in 1944 while Princess Margaret borrowed it on a regular basis. There was lots of links to her new family in Kate's wedding day pick but we love it just because it looks so pretty and regal all at the same time.