What Is The Spencer Tiara?

Lady Diana captivated the heart of the world when she appeared on her wedding day from a storybook carriage draped in flowing ivory silk and crowned by the fanciful Spencer family’s heirloom diamond tiara. At their weddings british brides traditionally wear “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” The Spencer Tiara was the “something borrowed” that the late Lady Diana Spencer wore at her wedding to Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, in 1981.
On her wedding day, the stunning tiara was worn as an accessory, surrounded by the glamorous veil. When worn in as an official heirloom it was a symbol of her status, the tiara was much more noticeable.

This tiara was actually a wedding gift from Queen Elizabeth II to Princess Diana. The Queen had inherited it from her grandmother, Queen Mary. Presumably, the tiara was promised to Prince William, knowing that his future wife would one day be Queen.

Enhanced in gold in the form of scrolling tulips and star shaped flowers, it is decorated with delicate diamonds in silver settings. It has been reported that this tiara is a family heirloom from the eighteenth century, but this is a misconception. Instead, it is a composite of several elements. Of the entire tiara, only two elements at the end are old, and are said to have come from a tiara owned by Frances, Viscountess Montagu and left to Lady Sarah Spencer in 1875. The central element was a wedding gift from Lady Sarah Spencer to Cynthia, Viscountess Althorp (Diana’s grandmother) in 1919. In the 20th century, it was redesigned and four other elements were made to match it.

The Spencer family tiara which legend has it traces back to Marie Antoinette.
It is thought that it was made in 1767 but the style would suggest a time around the 1830′s.
In historic tradition a family heirloom like this was held within the family and passed on to the next generation via the wife of the eldest son.  Diana often wore the tiara for meetings with heads of state.  Along with Diana, some of the other brides to wear it on their wedding day include Diana’s sister Lady Jane Fellowes in 1978, and Victoria Lockwood, the first wife of her brother Charles Spencer, in 1989.

The Spencer Tiara is unique and there are many replicas available on the market it is about 2”inches tall set in sterling silver or gold with genuine diamonds or Swarovski Austrian crystals.  Also popular for brides, princesses, costumes, mothers day, gifts or for special occasions.

The tiara is on display, along with the Princess’ wedding gown and other items in the exhibition “Diana a Celebration.” Between July 1st and August 31 of each year, the exhibition is
open at Althorp.