The Royal Tiara Twist: How Meghan Markle and Princess Eugenie Shared a Secret Style for Their Weddings

Dive into the fascinating common thread that united the wedding day styles of Meghan Markle and Princess Eugenie: their unexpected choice of bandeau-style tiaras, both on loan from Queen Elizabeth II, marking a rare and significant moment in royal fashion history.

In 2018, St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle played host to two highly anticipated royal weddings: Meghan Markle’s marriage to Prince Harry in May, and Princess Eugenie’s nuptials with Jack Brooksbank in October. While each ceremony captivated the world with its unique charm, a surprising sartorial similarity united the two brides: their choice of a classic bandeau-style tiara, personally lent by Queen Elizabeth II.

This shared preference for the elegant, flexible bandeau design, combined with its royal provenance, created a unique bond between the Duchess of Sussex and Princess Eugenie, establishing a subtle yet powerful moment in modern royal bridal tradition. Both women made their tiara debuts on these occasions, and these remain their only public tiara wears to date, underscoring the significance of their wedding day choices, as reported by People.

Meghan Markle’s Diamond Bandeau Tiara: A Geometric Masterpiece

For her wedding to Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, now the Duchess of Sussex, chose Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau Tiara. This exquisite piece, featuring diamonds set in platinum, was crafted in 1932. Its striking design is notable for a detachable center brooch, composed of ten diamonds, which dates back to 1893.

The original brooch was a gift to Princess Victoria Mary of Teck (later Queen Mary) from the County of Lincoln on her marriage to Prince George, Duke of York (later King George V). The tiara and its brooch were bequeathed by Queen Mary to Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Interestingly, Queen Elizabeth’s sister, Princess Margaret, famously wore this elegant piece to various events throughout her life.

Prince Harry recounted in his memoir, Spare, that Queen Elizabeth offered them access to her extensive tiara collection. He joined Meghan at Buckingham Palace for the “extraordinary morning” where she tried on several dazzling options, with the Queen remarking, “Tiaras suit you.”

Princess Eugenie’s Greville Emerald Kokoshnik: A Pop of Color

When Princess Eugenie married Jack Brooksbank, she surprised many by choosing the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara, often referred to as the Boucheron Tiara, instead of the York Diamond Tiara worn by her mother, Sarah Ferguson. This striking piece was made by Boucheron for Dame Margaret Helen Greville in 1919, in the popular “kokoshnik” style, which was popularized in the Russian imperial court.

The tiara is a magnificent creation of brilliant and rose-cut diamonds pavé set in platinum, adorned with six emeralds on either side, which added a distinctive pop of color to her bridal ensemble. Mrs. Greville bequeathed this stunning tiara to Queen Elizabeth in 1947, making it a treasured part of the royal collection.

In a deeply personal choice, Princess Eugenie opted to forgo a veil, intentionally drawing attention to her spinal scar from surgery she underwent at age 12 to correct scoliosis. Her custom-made Peter Pilotto gown was designed with a low back at her request, a decision she discussed prior to the wedding, stating, “I think you can change the way beauty is, and you can show people your scars and I think it’s really special to stand up for that,” as reported by People.

Beyond the Tiaras: Other Distinct Bridal Choices

Despite their similar tiara styles, Meghan and Eugenie’s bridal looks diverged in many other aspects, reflecting their individual personalities and tastes.

• Wedding Gowns: Meghan Markle stunned in a minimalist gown by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, featuring a boat neck and silk cady fabric. Princess Eugenie opted for a timeless gown by London-based label Peter Pilotto, which incorporated embroidered symbols such as the Scottish thistle, Irish shamrock, ivy, and the white rose of York, representing meaningful connections to the couple.
• Veils: While Meghan wore a cathedral-length veil, intricately embroidered with 53 flowers representing the Commonwealth nations, Eugenie made the bold choice to go without a veil entirely.
• Beauty Looks: Meghan’s beauty look, created by make-up artist Daniel Martin and hair stylist Serge Normant, highlighted her freckles and featured a low messy bun. Eugenie’s up-do, styled by Sonny-Jo Mac Farlane and Hannah Martin, also had a center part and volume behind the tiara but aimed for a slightly different overall aesthetic.
• Evening Wear: For her evening reception, Meghan chose a sleek, white backless satin gown by British designer Stella McCartney. Eugenie, on the other hand, made an audacious and tradition-breaking choice with a powder pink gown by American designer Zac Posen.
• Wedding Escorts: Due to her father’s inability to attend, Meghan was escorted partway down the aisle by Prince Charles. Eugenie followed a more classic tradition, arriving at the chapel arm-in-arm with her father, Prince Andrew.
• Wedding Cakes: The Duchess of Sussex’s wedding featured a lemon elderflower cake by Claire Ptak, aligning with her healthy ethos. Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank chose a red velvet chocolate cake by Sophie Cabot.

The Legacy of Royal Wedding Tiaras

The choice of a wedding tiara is a momentous decision for any royal bride, often steeped in history and tradition. While some, like Princess Diana, opted to wear family heirlooms such as the Spencer Tiara, many modern royal women choose to borrow a piece from the Queen’s extensive and priceless collection. Kate Middleton, for example, wore the Cartier Halo Scroll Tiara for her marriage to Prince William.

The shared selection of bandeau-style tiaras by Meghan Markle and Princess Eugenie, both lent by Queen Elizabeth II, highlights a modern custom within the British royal family. This practice allows for a personal connection to the reigning monarch while introducing lesser-seen historical pieces to a new generation, creating memorable and sparkling moments that resonate with royal watchers and fashion enthusiasts alike.