Kate Middleton Wears Princess Diana’s Beloved Tiara to Oman State Banquet

Kate Middleton joined other members of the British royal family at Windsor Castle on October 20 for a state banquet honoring Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman. The Princess of Wales arrived alongside her husband, Prince William, wearing a yellow gown and a familiar royal heirloom once favored by her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.

The Princess of Wales chose Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot tiara, a diamond and pearl headpiece that has become one of her most frequently worn royal accessories. The tiara features 19 diamond arches and 28 drop-shaped pearls, with the pearls suspended beneath intricate diamond knots. It was commissioned by Queen Mary from the House of Garrard in 1913 and made as a copy of a tiara once owned by Princess Augusta of Hesse-Kassel, Duchess of Cambridge.

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This marked her second appearance in the tiara this year and her 16th time wearing it since marrying William in 2011. Kate paired the headpiece with a yellow gown by Elie Saab featuring a keyhole neckline, pleated skirt and flowing cape. She accessorised with a glittering Anya Hindmarch clutch, Queen Mary’s diamond choker bracelet and earrings from Queen Elizabeth II’s collection.

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The Princess last wore the Lover’s Knot tiara earlier this year in March for the state banquet. On that occasion, she paired it with a green gown by Andrew Gn, a choice that reflected the colors of the Nigerian flag.

Former royal butler Grant Harrold previously said in an interview that the tiara was one of Diana’s favorite pieces, and suggested that “Kate wears this to keep her late mother-in-law’s memory alive.”

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Prince William joined his wife, wearing a traditional Windsor tailcoat with his medals and royal orders. Earlier in the day, Kate had worn a forest-green Alexander McQueen coat dress and a matching hat while welcoming the Sultan during the official arrival ceremony.