5 little-known rules for wearing a royal crown.

This is considered the art of wearing the crown – the most iconic and sparkling piece of jewelry of the British Royal Family.

Queen Camilla wore the diamond and emerald tiara that Princess Eugenie of York wore at her wedding - Photo: Andrew Matthews

Queen Camilla sparked considerable debate among royal observers in November 2025 when she appeared at an important reception at Windsor Castle wearing the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiara.

This luxurious piece of jewelry, adorned with natural diamonds and emeralds, first appeared in public in 2018.

At that time, Princess Eugenie wore the tiara at her wedding to Jack Brooksbank in St. George's Chapel.

The reappearance of a tiara so closely associated with a royal bride's image is considered quite rare. Therefore, this reappearance is all the more noteworthy.

Many fans strongly objected, arguing that Queen Camilla was usurping an extremely private moment from a younger member of the family.

Princess Eugenie of York wearing the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiara at her wedding in 2018 - Photo: AOL

So what are the royal rules when wearing a crown? That question has sparked even more public curiosity in recent years.

Since Meghan Markle stepped down from her role as a senior member of the British Royal Family, many have wondered whether she will ever have another chance to wear the crown.

Because these diamond-studded pieces of jewelry are not simply heirlooms, but also come with a set of refined traditional rules.

The first crown was only worn on the wedding day.

Traditionally, tiaras are reserved only for brides on their wedding day or for married women. This notion originates from ancient times, when this piece of jewelry was seen as a symbol honoring love and marriage.

Royal etiquette expert Grant Harrold once shared: "For married women, it's a status symbol, showing they are married and not looking for a husband. For men, it's also a clear sign that they shouldn't flirt with that woman."

Members of the royal family such as Princess Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, and Princess Eugenie all wore tiaras for the first time on their wedding day.

Kate Middleton wore the Cartier Halo tiara at her wedding - Photo: Vogue

You cannot choose arbitrarily.

Typically, royal brides are expected to choose a tiara from their family's collection for their wedding day.

For example, Princess Diana is said to have declined an offer from Queen Elizabeth II to wear the Spencer family tiara instead.

Meanwhile, Princess Margaret took a more unconventional approach by wearing the Poltimore tiara—which she had purchased at an auction—on her wedding day. This decision quietly broke with tradition and caused much debate at the time.

Passed down through generations, Princess Diana's Spencer tiara has become one of the most iconic family heirlooms in history - Photo: Corbis

On the other hand, since neither Kate Middleton nor Meghan Markle are of royal lineage, they both borrowed tiaras from Queen Elizabeth II for their weddings.

However, the choice wasn't entirely theirs to decide. Instead of free choice, the king or queen would often designate a specific design or provide a pre-selected list.

Meghan Markle's royal wedding tiara - Photo: Vogue

Crown wearing standards

Wearing a tiara correctly is not as simple as many people think. The last thing anyone wants to avoid is a historic diamond tiara shifting during transit.

To secure it, the hair is often braided or even sewn onto the base of the crown for added stability. The crown itself is also mounted on a lightweight frame, often lined with velvet in the same color as the wearer's hair.

Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Strathmore Rose tiara in a 1926 portrait - Photo: Natural Diamonds

For formal events only.

The decision to wear a historic crown depends not only on marital status but also on the dress code of the event.

Crowns are typically only worn at formal events, where attendees are required to wear formal attire, medals, and sashes.

Even on such occasions, the choice of crown still requires careful consideration: the scale of the event, the rank of the wearer, and the formality of the setting.

Less formal gatherings may require minimal or even no jewelry, emphasizing that the tiara is a ceremonial symbol, not an everyday accessory.

Princess Diana wore the Spencer family tiara at a state reception at the Crest International Hotel in Brisbane, Australia in 1983 - Photo: WWD

Wearing the crown in the evening

Traditionally, crowns or headpieces are not permitted before 5 p.m., as they are part of the formal evening dress code.

This long-standing rule originates from court etiquette, when diamond jewelry was considered too extravagant to wear during the day and was only appropriate under candlelight at ceremonial banquets.

Exceptions only occur during momentous events such as royal weddings, coronations, or major celebrations, when protocol permits wearing the crown during the day due to the special nature and formal attire of the event.

Aside from those rare occasions, the tiara is almost always a piece of jewelry reserved for the evening – appearing at state banquets, diplomatic receptions, and formal events.

Queen Camilla wearing the Greville tiara - Photo: WireImage

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Hy Thanh

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/5-quy-tac-doi-vuong-mien-hoang-gia-it-ai-biet-20260514213121126.htm