Princess Kate Middleton Dons Rare Diamond Tiara That Hasn’t Been Worn in Almost a Century

Princess Kate Wears Rare Diamond Tiara That Hasn’t Been Worn in Almost a Century to a State Banquet
Yui Mok-WPA Pool/Getty Images
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Princess Kate Middleton is dusting off an over century’s old tiara.

Kate, 41, looked unspeakably royal at a state banquet held on Tuesday, November 21 at Buckingham Palace.

The crowning detail of her outfit was her tiara — the Strathmore Rose tiara, to be exact — which hasn’t been worn since the 1930s.

The tiara, a stunning headpiece featuring diamond roses and leaves, was a part of the Queen Elizabeth II’s mother’s collection. Made in England in the late 19th century, it was given to the Queen Mother as a wedding present by her father, the Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, when she married King George VI in 1923.

See Princess Kate’s Most Stunning Fashion Moments of All Time

Although many may imagine that princesses perpetually have a diamond tiara on their heads, it is actually a fairly rare occurrence. In the British royal family, tiaras are reserved for special events, galas, dinners and receptions held at Buckingham Palace.

Princess Kate Wears Rare Diamond Tiara That Hasn’t Been Worn in Almost a Century to a State Banquet
Prince William and Princess Kate. Yui Mok-WPA Pool/Getty Images

This is the 16th time the Princess of Wales has worn a tiara. The Strathmore Rose tiara marks the fourth tiara Kate has worn over the course of her royal life.

The first made its debut on her wedding day on April 29, 2011. For that occasion, she borrowed Queen Elizabeth’s Cartier Halo tiara.

The second tiara the Princess has worn is called the Lotus Flower, which consists of both pearls and diamonds and was previously owned by the late Princess Margaret, the Queen’s younger sister.

Every Time Princess Kate Paid Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II With Her Jewelry: Photos

The third tiara Kate has been seen wearing is called the Lover’s Knot tiara, which was commissioned by Queen Mary in 1913 and was a personal favorite of the late Princess Diana.

Princess Kate Wears Rare Diamond Tiara That Hasn’t Been Worn in Almost a Century to a State Banquet
Princess Kate and Choo Kyung-ho Deputy Prime Minister of South Korea. Yui Mok-WPA Pool/Getty Images

In addition to the exciting Strathmore Rose tiara, Kate wore a stunning white custom Jenny Packman gown to the state banquet on Tuesday. The floor-length dress featured cape-like sleeves and shoulder pads. She accessorized this with a pair of long white gloves and the customary Royal Victorian Order sash, star and cross.

The special event was held in honor of the President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, and First Lady Kim Keon Hee, as a part of their two-day tour in the U.K. Kate was joined by her husband Prince William, King Charles III and Queen Camilla, as well as several other members of the royal family and nearly 200 guests.

Earlier in the day, the presidential couple touched down in London and were greeted by Kate and William, 41, before they met with Charles, 75, and Camilla, 76.