The Duchess of Edinburgh's State Banquet Tiara Was a Touching Tribute to Kate Middleton

While Kate Middleton wasn't at the state dinner last night at Buckingham Palace—which was held in honor of visiting members of the Japanese royal family—one of her most beloved tiaras, was. Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh and aunt to Prince William, wore the Lotus Flower Tiara, a piece that hasn't been seen since the Diplomatic Corps reception in 2022, when Kate wore it last. Middleton wore it for the first time in December 2013 at a palace reception and it became connected to the Princess of Wales immediately as it was the first tiara she chose after her wedding tiara, the Halo. Queen Camilla lent the piece to Sophie, who paired it with diamond drop earrings and a matching diamond necklace.

The tiara was made for Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, back in the 1920s and combines both pearls and diamonds that were sourced from a necklace that King George VI gave to his wife for their wedding. The House of Garrard created the tiara, and it's become a favorite for both Kate and Princess Margaret. Last night's banquet was the first time that Sophie has worn the piece, as The Mirror notes she's more often seen in the Wessex Aquamarine Tiara.

The BBC's Jennie Bond shared why Sophie and her husband, Prince Edward, are often seen as the royal family's "secret weapon."

"Sophie is a natural, humble woman—clearly still very much in love with her husband—and a woman who has grown into her role without fuss or fanfare. Sophie has become one of the most loved members of the royal family, forging a deep and mutually affectionate relationship with both of her in-laws, the late queen and Prince Philip," she said, adding that Queen Elizabeth II saw Sophie as a "second daughter" after Princess Anne.

Kate wasn't in attendance at last night's dinner as she continues to rest and recover from her cancer treatments. Although she did make an appearance at this year's Trooping the Colour, she and the royal family emphasized to well-wishers that she wouldn't be returning to her usual schedule until her medical team cleared it.

Bond added that Kate and Sophie have a close relationship, saying, "She is close to Catherine and has no doubt been a great support to her in her health crisis. Even though a 17-year age gap seems a lot to bridge, the two women have a lot in common and became firm friends quite early on. Sophie knew exactly what lay in wait for Catherine as she joined the family and she knew it wouldn't always be easy."

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