Yahoo News Queen Camilla Lends the Lotus Flower Tiara to Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, for Japanese State Banquet
The tiaras came out of the royal vault for the state banquet in honor of Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. While Queen Camilla opted for the Burmese Ruby Tiara, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh wore the Lotus Flower Tiara—which Buckingham Palace notes was loaned to her by Queen Camilla. The Duchess also wore a green dress by Suzannah London.
The Lotus Flower Tiara, which was made by the House of Garrard in 1923 for Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, was last publicly worn by Kate Middleton at the Diplomatic Corps reception in 2022.
"Among the most romantic of the royal jewels crafted by Garrard for the British Royal Family, the Lotus Flower Tiara perfectly embodies the era in which it was made," the jeweler notes. "Created in 1923 for the late Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother during the early years of her marriage to King George VI, the exquisite design draws inspiration from Egyptian iconography, specifically the lotus flower."
Garrad adds, "Unlike other, more imposing royal tiaras, the Lotus Flower Tiara is delicate and distinctive. Also known as the Queen Mother’s Papyrus Tiara, the floral motifs, framed by diamond arches, are accented with lustrous white pearls, a quintessential Art Deco gem." The pearls and diamonds in the tiara were taken from a necklace that King George gifted his wife for their wedding.
The Duchess of Edinburgh has never worn the Lotus Flower Tiara publicly before, instead typically opting for the Wessex Aquamarine Tiara, which was reportedly custom-made for her. The Lotus Flower, which is part of the royal family's jewelry collection, was a favorite of Princess Margaret's.
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