Princess Diana’s “priceless” wedding tiara goes on display for the first time in decades

Closely connected with the romantic idea of ​​a princess, tiaras are a cultural shorthand for youth and femininity – as well as female status. From the princess Cinderella-like plastic crowns worn by millions of children around the world while visiting Disney theme parks, to carnival nights Met Gala most recently – where many celebrities have appeared, including Blake Lively and even Anna Wintour, wearing jewel-encrusted versions of the historic accessory.

The “The Spencer Tiara”, a Spencer family heirloom, became a royal after Princess Diana wore it on her wedding day in 1981 (Image: CNN)

This summer, auction house Sotheby’s will display some of history’s most influential crowns, many of which have not been seen by the public for decades – in a new exhibit. titled “Power & Image: Royal & Aristocratic Tiaras” (Strength and Appearance: Royal and Noble Crowns).

The event, which opened in London on May 28, is a celebration to honor the beauty of 50 crowns, dedicated to Queen Eliazbeth II’s Platinum Celebration – a milestone marking 70 years since the Queen of England ascended the throne in 1952.

Among the precious tiaras included in the exhibition is the famous “The Spencer Tiara” tiara worn by Princess Diana at her wedding to Prince Charles at St. Paul – a royal union witnessed by more than 750 million people across 74 countries.

The famous “The Spencer Tiara” tiara (Image: CNN)

The garland-style tiara, with a heart-shaped piece in the center and set with diamonds, has been loaned to Sotheby’s London by Lord Spencer, younger brother of Princess Diana, and will be on display for the first time. since the 1960s. It is a must-have accessory for Princess Diana, who is said to have worn the tiara seven times from her marriage in 1981 until her death in 1997.

The tiara appears to have been passed down to Princess Diana from her great-grandmother, Princess Cynthia Hamilton, who received the tiara as a wedding gift in 1919. The family heirloom is said to have first been forged in. 1767, when the tiara might look different from the version Princess Diana wore on her wedding day.

The famous “The Spencer Tiara” tiara (Image: CNN)

From 1919 to 1930, this accessory is reported to have had a few additions and changes, although no changes have been officially recorded. According to the auction house, many tiaras similar to those in the Spencer family began as a head brooch or modest headbands – with decades of jewelers expanding the design with how to add more ice.

And, according to Kristian Spofforth, Head of Jewelery at Sotheby’s London, this tiara is truly priceless. “It’s one of those things that can’t be valued,” he said in a phone interview. Given the public’s interest in Princess Diana, the tiara is one of the few objects that can be considered. priceless”.

The famous “The Spencer Tiara” tiara (Image: CNN)

Along with the “The Spencer Tiara” tiara, the exhibition will feature one of Queen Victoria’s favorites – the emerald and diamond tiara given to her by Prince Albert when she was 26 years old. . Crafted in Gothic Revival style, this tiara is set with 19 oval emeralds weighing up to 15 carats.

Spofforth said: “The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Celebration gave us the perfect opportunity to showcase to the public an outstanding array of tiaras from British aristocracy and royalty.”

“It is also a wonderful moment for us to shine a special light that celebrates the superb craftsmanship of generations of jewelers, mainly British, over the centuries crafting crowns. “.

Queen Victoria’s favorite tiara (Image: CNN)

(According to CNN)