For the next in our series of “daughter in law” tiaras, we have the York Diamond Tiara.
The History
This tiara became part of royal history on July 23, 1986 when Prince Andrew married Sarah Ferguson. Sarah entered Westminster Abbey wearing a floral arrangement headband to anchor her veil. During the registry signing, and away from photographer’s eyes, the flowers and blusher veil were removed to reveal this tiara.
The tiara was originally believed to have been a loan from a family friend, but shortly enough Buckingham Palace revealed that it was indeed a present, purchased for Sarah by Queen Elizabeth II. The tiara is designed as a series of leafy scrolls and collets of diamonds set in platinum.
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh also gifted their new daughter-in-law a demi-parure, including a necklace, earrings and a bracelet.
Sadly, Andrew and Sarah’s marriage didn’t last and they divorced in 1996. Sarah did get to keep her tiara, and has worn it since. Most memorably to Elton John’s White Tie and Tiaras charity ball in 2001.
Many of us thought that when Eugenie married last fall, she would wear her mother’s tiara. We’ll have to wait and see if Beatrice wears the York Tiara for her wedding.
The Case for the Tiara
LiL: I like this one and always have. It’s a good size for the wife of the second son, and since it’s all diamonds on platinum it goes with everything. And although I promised myself going in to this review that I’d keep my mouth shut, I just can’t. THOSE FLOWERS ON HER HEAD ARE TRAGIC! It has ruined “flowers on the head” for me in almost every case since.
The Handbag: I always associate this with eighties excess and when I came over to scrutinize it I was all ready to be an against. Much to my surprise, it is actually a pretty and classic design and I find myself being an energetic “for” instead. Sarah never looked better than when she revealed this on her wedding day.
The Case against the Tiara
OC: It’s ok, nothing special. I think the tapering of size bugs me the most. As a child, I loved the reveal when they came out of the registry. There was no earthly reason a loan from the vaults couldn’t have been made and this purchase is a symbolic diss.
LG: Fully agree with OC here. I wouldn’t turn it down if offered, but it’s nothing special. The tapering doesn’t really bother me, but the too tall spike on the front does.
