Kate Middleton has sparked worldwide buzz once more — and this time, the excitement has little to do with her evening dress. At a recent royal state banquet, the Princess of Wales unveiled a rare treasure from the monarchy’s vaults: the famed Oriental Circlet, a crown once owned by Queen Victoria and kept out of public view for over 20 years.
Before the banquet at Windsor Castle, Kate and Prince William posed for a new official portrait, where the tiara made its long-awaited return. The occasion honored the state visit of Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Büdenbender.
For the evening, Kate wore a shimmering blue Jenny Packham gown with delicate sequins and a sheer cape overlay. She completed the look with her signature Gianvito Rossi heels and diamond earrings once worn by Queen Elizabeth II.
But nothing outshined the dramatic return of the iconic crown.
The Oriental Circlet — originally created in 1853 by Garrard from a design by Prince Albert — was first adorned with opals and more than 2,600 diamonds. Years later, Queen Alexandra replaced the opals with rubies, believing opals brought misfortune.
Despite its grandeur, the tiara rarely appeared in public. The last royal to wear it was the late Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Malta in 2005. Now, nearly 20 years later, Kate Middleton has revived one of the most storied pieces in the royal vault.
