For 2024’s Diplomatic Reception, Queen Camilla opted to wear a tiara which has only seen a handful times at royal events. The tiara was originally from the collection of Elizabeth II, debuted in 1970, but it went back into the royal vaults following her death in 2022.
The tiara in question is the Aquamarine Ribbon Tiara.
Queen Camilla wears the Aquamarine ribbon tiara for the 2024 Diplomatic Corps reception (Royal Family/X)
Sometimes called the Five Aquamarine Tiara, it is a small headpiece, using with five large oblong aquamarines framed in diamond-set ribbons. This is set on a curved frame, supported visibly in the middle by two small prongs. The metal is silver toned, likely platinum given its royal provenance.
This lovely piece has an intriguing history… While its exact origins remain unknown, the tiara first came to public attention when Elizabeth II wore it during a visit to Canada in 1970. After that visit, the tiara disappeared and wasn’t seen again on the Monarch during her reign.
A close up of the Aquamarine ribbon tiara
However in recent years, the Aquamarine Ribbon Tiara has become a favourite of The Duchess of Edinburgh, when she was Countess of Wessex. Sophie has worn the tiara on several occasions, including the wedding of Princess Madeleine of Sweden in 2013 and the gala dinner celebrating the wedding of the Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg in 2012.
Sophie wearing the Aquamarine tiara at Princess Madeleine of Sweden’s wedding (Frankie Fouganthin, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
With the tiara being back out of the royal vaults, we’re sure it will only be a matter of time before this intricate and mysterious piece is worn again.
