It has officially been confirmed: Princess Charlotte is set to inherit the renowned Spencer Tiara, the stunning £400,000 heirloom that Princess Diana famously wore on her wedding day. The announcement has sent royal watchers into a frenzy, solidifying Charlotte’s place in royal history and ensuring the heirloom will continue to grace the Crown of a Princess from a future generation.
Princess Diana shocked the world in 1981 when she chose her family’s own tiara, rather than a piece from the royal vault, for her wedding to the then-Prince Charles. The Spencer Tiara, a dazzling diamond headpiece, became instantly iconic and remains a symbol of Diana’s unique style and personal touch.
Since Diana’s passing in 1997, the tiara has rarely been seen in public and has remained in private hands. Neither Princess Kate nor Meghan Markle has ever worn it publicly, though both have often paid tribute to Diana through their own fashion choices.
The next generation of royal women, however, may bring the iconic piece back into the spotlight. Princess Charlotte, daughter of the Prince and Princess of Wales, is expected to inherit the tiara, while Princess Lilibet, daughter of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, is also in the line of potential heirs.
Jewellery expert Maxwell Stone of Steven Stone Jewellers explained that while both young princesses could wear the tiara one day, several factors make Charlotte the more likely candidate. He noted that the tiara is privately owned by Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, Diana’s brother, and is not part of the Crown Jewels or royal collection.
“Princess Charlotte is a key figure within the core royal family and embodies her grandmother’s legacy in a very public way,” Stone said. “This makes the Spencer Tiara a fitting and symbolic choice for a future occasion, particularly a wedding.” Princess Lilibet, while sharing the same lineage, has more distant ties to the royal institution, making her access to the heirloom less straightforward.
The Spencer Tiara itself has a rich history. Gifted to Diana’s grandmother, Countess Cynthia Spencer, in 1919, it has been passed down through every generation. Intricately crafted, it features diamond-encrusted tulips, scrolls, and stars, assembled from older pieces of jewellery, giving it both uniqueness and charm. Its last known appearance was in 2018, when Diana’s niece, Celia McCorquodale, wore it on her wedding day.
While no official valuation exists, Maxwell Stone estimates the Spencer Tiara to be worth around £400,000. Beyond its monetary value, the heirloom carries immense sentimental weight, ensuring that Princess Diana’s legacy will continue to shine through future generations of royal women, particularly Princess Charlottee.
