Camilla's unexpected nod to Eugenie as she wears the tiara Andrew's daughter chose for her wedding day to diplomatic reception at Windsor Castle
- Queen Camilla wore the tiara at Windsor Castle last night.
- READ MORE: A prince no more: Andrew rides around Windsor in first appearance since being stripped of titles and kicked out of Royal Lodge
Queen Camilla attended the Diplomatic Corps reception at Windsor Castle last night, wearing a glittering tiara that immediately turned heads - and not just because of the dazzling emeralds inset.
Her Majesty, 78, beamed in the striking Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara, which Princess Eugenie borrowed from the late Queen Elizabeth for her wedding day in 2018
Estimated by jewellers to be worth £10 million, King Charles is understood to have inherited the tiara following his mother's death.
The distinctive piece, which many fans will recognise from the nuptials of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's daughter, features 'rose-cut pave diamonds set in platinum'.
It's relatively rare for a royal to re-wear another family member's wedding tiara, save for a few exceptions. For instance, a queen or princess may pass it down to their daughter.
Elsewhere, the Princess of Wales has chosen the Lotus Flower Tiara, worn by Serena, Countess of Snowdon as a bride - although it is more often seen as a tribute to Princess Margaret, who the piece belonged to before her death.
Camilla's outing last night marks the first time the tiara had been worn in public since Eugenie tied the knot to Jack Brooksbank seven years ago.
It has been a challenging few weeks for the princess, whose father, the former Duke of York, was recently stripped of his prince title and ousted from the sprawling 30-room mansion, Royal Lodge, over his ties to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. However, his daughters retain their princess titles.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment.
The Queen opted for an unusual accessory - as she donned the same tiara Princess Eugenie wore on her wedding day to a Diplomatic Corps reception at Windsor Castle last night
Camilla's outing last night marks the first time the tiara had been worn in public since Eugenie - whose father, the former Duke of York, was recently stripped of his prince title and ousted from the sprawling 30-room mansion, Royal Lodge, over his ties to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein - tied the knot seven years ago
Maxwell Stone, of leading UK jeweller Steven Stone, shared that the accessory's remarkable value comes from the centre, which features a 93.7-carat cabochon.
'We previously estimated the distinctive diamond and emerald headpiece - made by the French jeweller, Boucheron in 1919 – to be worth £10 million, making it the most expensive of all the tiaras we’ve studied,' he explained.
This was created in the fashionable 'kokoshnik' style popularised in the Russian Imperial Court.
'Wearing emeralds is said to promote friendship, peace, harmony, and domestic bliss by enabling the wearer to both give and receive unconditional love. In ancient Greece and Rome, emerald was said to be the gemstone of the goddess of love, Venus,' the expert continued.
'Its original owner was Dame Margaret Greville, a famous society hostess who, upon her death, left her jewels to the Queen Mother.
'When the Queen Mother passed away in 2002, much of that collection, including the Kokoshnik tiara, went to Queen Elizabeth II. In 2018, the late monarch lent it to Princess Eugenie for her wedding day - making it the most extravagant "something borrowed" in royal history.'
The King and Queen were joined by the Prince of Wales for the annual gathering for members of the Diplomatic Corps on Tuesday night.
Kate, however, who last attended the event in 2023, just months before her cancer diagnosis, was not present.
Camilla was dressed in a cream embroidered dress by Fiona Clare, her diamond serpent necklace and diamond Van Cleef and Arpels earrings.
Elsewhere, both Charles and William opted to wear a traditional Windsor Coat with its distinctive red collar and cuffs.
The garment is only worn at the Berkshire castle, and the custom dates back to the reign of King George III, who adopted the idea from Frederick the Great, who used to dress his staff in a combination of a navy coat with red embellishments.
Charles also opted for traditional knee breeches and buckled shoes, while William wore classic trousers instead.
It is the first time the diplomatic reception has been hosted in Windsor for 24 years, with Buckingham Palace saying the last occasion was in 2001.
The late Queen had been due to stage the event there early in 2022, but it was postponed due to the conflict in Ukraine, and later took place at Buckingham Palace a few months into the King’s reign.
The reception celebrates the presence in London of one of the largest Diplomatic Corps in the world.
Hundreds of representatives of countries accredited to the Court of St James were welcomed to the castle dressed in their finery for the showcase of the UK’s diplomatic year.
The evening usually includes a buffet supper and dancing.
Foreign ambassadors and high commissioners based in the UK, their spouses or partners, and diplomatic staff were among those who were entertained.
