Kate Middleton May Have Defied King Charles III's Coronation Guidelines With a Tiara

King Charles III‘s coronation happened over a year and a half ago, but Kate Middleton‘s headpiece designer Jess Collett might have stirred up some unexpected controversy. The wardrobe guidelines, as reported by People in 2023, were downgraded from tiaras to hats or fascinators for the guests. Now, Collett is insisting that the Princess of Wales wore a tiara that day.

“It was a tiara that I made for the princess, but it was very much based on a piece that I have called ‘The Golden Crown’ — a band of leaves made from gold leather,” she explained to the media outlet. Collett hoped that the bespoke design for Kate made her feel “fabulous and radiant from the inside.” We have to agree that the royal looked stunning that day with her hair wrapped in a bun to show off the elegant headwear. 

In 2023, People reported that the Princess of Wales was going for a “more low-key option” instead of a tiara to let Charles and Camilla shine on their coronation day. “more low-key option.” Lauren Kiehna, founder of The Court Jeweller, believed it was the less glamorous appearance was a sign of the changing fashion times. “Tiaras were worn by nearly every royal lady at the Queen’s coronation in 1953, as well lots of aristocratic women but times have certainly changed in 70 years,” she said. 

However, another fashion expert had a theory about King Charles’ issues with Kate’s wardrobe upstaging him on his big day. “We must remember that the coronation, despite its paired down new incarnation, is steeped in pageantry and tradition,” royal fashion expert Miranda Holder told Newsweek in March 2023. “Kate must be careful not to pull focus from the King with her outfit, which is why it won’t be too ‘out there.'”

In 2022, Kensington Palace stopped sharing details about Kate’s outfits because Charles reportedly felt like his daughter-in-law was stealing the spotlight from him. The Express claimed that there was a “frustration” around the media coverage the Princess of Wales was receiving. The ensemble details are now left to the royal fans to sleuth out instead of having an official press release from the palace.

So that brings us back to Kate’s coronation headpiece which wasn’t supposed to be a tiara, but probably is, according to Collett. Shhh, just don’t tell King Charles.

Before you go, click here to see all the best pictures from King Charles III’s coronation.