Meghan Markle: Wedding Tiara and Jewelry Suggestions and Musings

[Pranter]

Having a tiara repaired is not the same has having it remade or replicated.


LaRae

 

[CyrilVladisla]

How would a tiara be replicated?

 

[Pranter]

A copy made by a jeweler.


LaRae

 

[W.Y.CII]

GDV's case (to put the stones on a new frame) is a kind of repair to me. CyrilVladisla's idea is to make an exact copy so I assume it is to recreate the Strathmore Rose by making another replica (new stones and material, without using anything from the original).

 

[MARG]

Unfortunately, you may be able to create a reasonable facsimile but it would be a lost art to recreate old such an antique and finding the diamonds of the right cut would be a mission.

 

[Countessmeout]

Not that I think they would go to the expense, but not sure why they would totally recreate it. Its not as if the tiara is missing. They could simply make a new base for the tiara and use the gems and pieces which are still in tact.

There have been replicas done with some success. But those were done for tiaras that are actually gone. Both the Norweigans (Maude's pearl and diamond tiara is a replica made by Gerrards when the original was stolen when the jewelers had the original to clean. They had created the first one) and the Brits (the lovers knot) have a replica. One because it was stolen and the other because it passed out of the family. Neither had the option to reuse the original or repair it.

 

[Mirabel]

tiara ||| sotheby's l18050lot9qf8xen

This tiara will be auctioned on March 20.
It's very pretty, and I think it would suit Meghan.

 

[Pranter]

I've seen a couple of nice pearl and diamond tiaras for auction I think she would be gorgeous in!


LaRae

 

[Pranter]

Fine Victorian Natural Pearl and Diamond Tiara Necklace (c. 1890 United Kingdom) from Bentley & Skinner - The UK's Premier Antiques Portal

A Victorian pearl and diamond necklace/tiara - Bentley & Skinner

 

[Daenys]

I am rooting for this one: Reader Mailbag: The Queen Mother's Bandeau | The Court Jeweller

 

[MaiaMia_53]

Scroll down for interesting info on how the Spencer tiara came into that family:
http://orderofsplendor.blogspot.ca/

Below is a video discussing the various royal family tiara options.

Terrible mock-up picture of Harry in a morning suit. Prince Harry will be in his military uniform, and Meghan will hopefully be wearing her own dress without her head superimposed over someone else's dress!

 

[MARG]

I always find the inclusion of the Spencer tiara as a choice for Meghan totally absurd. It is not a royal tiara and does not belong to the Markle family

It meets no criteria whatsoever for a British royal tiara, and I should think the queen would nip that idea in the bud very quickly.

 

[Pranter]

I know I just roll my eyes about the idea of the Spencer tiara being an option.


LaRae

 

[XeniaCasaraghi]

Look at this beautiful photoshopped idea for a re-design of the tiara - it looks like it's the same jewels and metal, just with the crescents rotated 90 degrees.

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/70/21/23/702123777acaed8d1786e756d2966cc8.jpg

Actually looks better this way. But that tiara looks the same size as Kates and I assumed Meghan's would be smaller.

 

[wyevale]

There is no rule or evidence that the proximity to the Throne [place in the line of Succession] has ANY bearing on the size of Wedding Tiara. It has more to do with availability and stylistic preference, I think.

Princess Margaret's was a WHOPPER, but she was already third in line, when she married, whereas HMQ's was of fairly modest size, despite being THE Heir.

 

[Pranter]

I hope she picks one that compliments her overall look.



LaRae

 

[CyrilVladisla]

The narrator expressed that the Strathmore Rose Tiara could be loaned to Meghan long term.

 

[countess felicitas]

What if the Queen or Prince Charles "bought back" this Diamond and Pearl Fringe Tiara from The Duke and Duchess of Kent (on the picture worn by their daughter Lady Helen Taylor at her wedding)... As the Duchess have retired and does not attend galas anymore.....

The Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor: Wedding Wednesday: Lady Helen Taylor's Gown

I am sure that there are a few tiaras around in the Kent, Gloucester, Harewood and maybe also Fife-families with Royal history that could be bought back for the right money.

This tiara still belongs to the Kent family as far as I know.

 

[countess felicitas]

Scroll down for interesting info on how the Spencer tiara came into that family:
The Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor

Below is a video discussing the various royal family tiara options.

Terrible mock-up picture of Harry in a morning suit. Prince Harry will be in his military uniform, and Meghan will hopefully be wearing her own dress without her head superimposed over someone else's dress!

The photoshop picture is from Peter Phillips and Autumn Kellys' wedding

 

[Countessmeout]

This tiara still belongs to the Kent family as far as I know.

It indeed is. Hans was suggesting 'what if' the queen bought it back. To save the chances of the tiara being sold off in auction when the couple die, like Margaret's tiara was. I don't see the couple selling it when they are still attending events, or the queen buying a new tiara for Meghan anyways.

 

[Lady Nimue]

It indeed is. Hans was suggesting 'what if' the queen bought it back. To save the chances of the tiara being sold off in auction when the couple die, like Margaret's tiara was. I don't see the couple selling it when they are still attending events, or the queen buying a new tiara for Meghan anyways.

On reflection I think it would be nice for Meghan to have her own tiara. It becomes a family heirloom that way. Also, it would likely be more in keeping with Meghan's style and taste.

The above said, who would be the most likely to do such a purchase and gift? The Queen or Prince Charles? I would assume it wouldn't be Harry.

 

[Countessmeout]

On reflection I think it would be nice for Meghan to have her own tiara. It becomes a family heirloom that way. Also, it would likely be more in keeping with Meghan's style and taste.

The above said, who would be the most likely to do such a purchase and gift? The Queen or Prince Charles? I would assume it wouldn't be Harry.

Unlike his father and Charles, Harry doesn't have a lot of liquid assets. His trust fund supports him and will for years to come. Unlike his brother, he wont have a duchy to pay for his future. Its highly unlikely he would drop a lot of money on a tiara. So yes, it would be more likely to be Charles or the queen. The queen purchased for Sophie, but then again Sophie was her daughter in law. So maybe Charles, if a new tiara was actually bought.

Family heirlooms are good but an heirloom that is not likely to be used? Besides Meghan, and possibly a daughter, a tiara would never be worn but for weddings. It stands to be sold like Margaret's and many other royal pieces that went out of the royal line. It would make sense to give her a piece of jewelry that she and generations to come, could wear for events of all kinds, less likely to be sold. There are plenty of royal tiaras for Meghan to wear. And if she has a daughter, and the daughter needs a tiara like for a coronation, then she likely will be loaned one as well.

Honestly there is also the message 'Meghan isn't really accepted by the royals, they wont allow her to tarnish one of their tiaras' that would be bounced around.

 

[Lady Nimue]

Thanks for the detailed response, Countessmeout.

Unlike his father Charles, Harry doesn't have a lot of liquid assets. His trust fund supports him and will for years to come. Unlike his brother, he won't have a duchy to pay for his future. Its highly unlikely he would drop a lot of money on a tiara. So yes, it would be more likely to be Charles or the queen. The queen purchased for Sophie, but then again Sophie was her daughter in law. So maybe Charles, if a new tiara was actually bought.

Part of me wants to see what Meghan would choose if she had complete freedom when it comes to style. I am betting that whatever she chooses, bought or picked out, will be sleek.

Family heirlooms are good but an heirloom that is not likely to be used? Besides Meghan, and possibly a daughter, a tiara would never be worn but for weddings. It stands to be sold like Margaret's and many other royal pieces that went out of the royal line.

Was the tiara that was sold the one Margaret wore at her wedding?

It would make sense to give her a piece of jewelry that she and generations to come, could wear for events of all kinds, less likely to be sold. There are plenty of royal tiaras for Meghan to wear. And if she has a daughter, and the daughter needs a tiara like for a coronation, then she likely will be loaned one as well.

Good points.

Honestly there is also the message 'Meghan isn't really accepted by the royals, they won't allow her to tarnish one of their tiaras' that would be bounced around.

True. It's remarkable the number of nay-sayers out there. Startles me.

 

[Mbruno]

Unlike his father and Charles, Harry doesn't have a lot of liquid assets. His trust fund supports him and will for years to come. Unlike his brother, he wont have a duchy to pay for his future. Its highly unlikely he would drop a lot of money on a tiara. So yes, it would be more likely to be Charles or the queen. The queen purchased for Sophie, but then again Sophie was her daughter in law. So maybe Charles, if a new tiara was actually bought.

Family heirlooms are good but an heirloom that is not likely to be used? Besides Meghan, and possibly a daughter, a tiara would never be worn but for weddings. It stands to be sold like Margaret's and many other royal pieces that went out of the royal line. It would make sense to give her a piece of jewelry that she and generations to come, could wear for events of all kinds, less likely to be sold. There are plenty of royal tiaras for Meghan to wear. And if she has a daughter, and the daughter needs a tiara like for a coronation, then she likely will be loaned one as well.

Honestly there is also the message 'Meghan isn't really accepted by the royals, they wont allow her to tarnish one of their tiaras' that would be bounced around.

Charles is quite wealthy himself. It would be just natural for him to buy a new tiara for his daughter-in-law as a wedding gift. In recent times, Sarah, Sophie, Claire, Mary, Sofia, just to name a few notable cases, all got new tiaras, while other brides were loaned or given royal family heirlooms.

Meghan will have a need for a "working tiara" for the rest of her (married) life as she will have to attend state banquets and/or other tiara events at least twice a year or so. Moreover, any future descendants of Harry and Meghan are likely to keep some of the family jewels they will inherit. The Kents and the Gloucesters certainly still own quite a lot of historic pieces, despite financial concerns that might have tempted them to sell them otherwise, and I am sure that is also the case even for more collateral branches of the Royal Family like Princess Mary's descendants.

Keep in mind that, if Harry and Meghan have a son, not only will he be a prince when Charles becomes king, but also he will inherit his father's dukedom, which will then pass to his male heir and so on, possibly for several generations. Most aristocratic families in the UK own family tiaras, why should the Sussex family be different ?

 

[countess felicitas]

Meghan will be the wife of the second son of the POW - so more close to the throne than e.g. Prince Edward when he married. Still Sophie got a tiara. (Not commenting on what she got ). I think they will purchase something for Meghan, like they did for Sarah. Something for her and her children to keep. If this line of the BRF will sell it lateron (as the Kents and Gloucesters did), nobody will shout.

 

[wyevale]

whatever she chooses, bought or picked out, will be sleek.

'Sleek' Tiara's are 'as rare as Hens teeth', unlike Floral ones which [historically] appealed to more 'Ladies'..In the Royal collection only Queen Mary's Sapphire Bandeau, and the Princess Royal's 'Greek Key' fit into that category, and only the Sapphire Bandeau is [potentially] available..
Outside the BRF collection such Tiaras are just as rare.. the Chaumet's made for Princess Yusupov [just before the Russian Revolution] would qualify, as would the ravishing [but severe] Blackened steel, Diamond and Ruby Tiara by Faberge..
Beyond them 'I draw a blank' !

 

[Pranter]

Personally not a fan of many of the floral or overly 'girly' tiaras. Not a fan of the Strathmore at all..hope to not see that.

Love the idea of the Lozenge Bandeau if it's still around. Love the Sapphire bandeau but don't think it likely for her to wear it. The filigree bandeau another nice option if still around.


LaRae

 

[wyevale]

I like the Lozenge Bandeau too, but is more in the nature of a 'Headband' than Tiara imo...[very 'diddy' ] and more fitting for an 18 year old, than a '30something'

 

[Pranter]

Couldn't it be worn more on the head?

I just hope the tiara 'matches' the dress.


LaRae

 

[MARG]

Somehow I think the designer is shown the tiara so the dress and tiara compliment each other. They are also shown the wedding venue to ensure the gown is not too large or small for the venue.