Kate Middleton wears Princess Diana's Lovers Knot tiara to Diplomatic Corps reception

At the Queen’s Diplomatic Corps reception at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday night, the Duchess of Cambridge stepped out in the iconic Lovers’ Knot tiara - a towering pearl piece favoured by her late mother-in-law Princess Diana.

Kate and her husband Prince William turned out in their best white tie for the annual event. Kate also wore two significant royal symbols: her yellow Royal Family Order and blue and gold Royal Victorian Order sash.

Both signify her service to the Queen Elizabeth and the crown - the yellow bow brooch features a glass cameo of Queen Elizabeth complete with a detailed red enamel crown.

She first wore the Royal Family Order in December 2017 at that year’s Diplomatic Corps reception, according to royal expert Joe Little. The blue Royal Victorian Order sash was bestowed upon her this year on her eighth wedding anniversary and recognises her as a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order - a recognition Queen Victoria introduced to honour those who had been of great service to her.

Kate wore them both over an elegant black Alexander McQueen gown, the same designer behind her now iconic wedding dress. She also added a glamorous diamond necklace and earrings for added sparkle.

The Lovers’ Knot tiara is often associated with Princess Diana, who was gifted the piece in 1981 on her wedding day. Princess Diana was reportedly meant to wear it on her wedding day, but instead chose to pay homage to her family by wearing the Spencer tiara instead.

It’s said that the hanging pearl and diamond tiara is so heavy Princess Diana used to get headaches after wearing it.

Kate and Prince William joined fellow Royal Family members including Prince Charles, Camilla Parker Bowles and Queen Elizabeth. Parker Bowles also wore her signature tiara, the honeycomb-patterned Greville Tiara.

She also wore her Royal Victorian Order sash and Royal Family Order brooch.

Queen Elizabeth brought a splash of colour to the occasion with the emerald and diamond Vladimir tiara and wore a dress by her close friend and royal dresser Angela Kelly.

The Diplomatic Corps reception is an annual event held at Buckingham Palace, which sees roughly a thousand high ranking royals, ambassadors, government officials, high commissioners and more attend the event.