Charlotte looked every bit a Princess as she arrived for her grandfather King Charles’s Coronation in May 2023 – but she went against a decades-old royal tradition on the day
There are many protocols surrounding the royal family, from getting permission for marriage proposals, to never giving an autograph. Some of these rules date back many years – including one that Princess Charlotte broke back in 2023.
Charlotte stepped into the spotlight at the Coronation of her grandfather, King Charles. There was much speculation as to what the little girl would wear to the historic event and she looked every bit a Princess in a beautiful ivory dress designed by Alexander McQueen. The simple white sheath dress was embroidered with rose, thistle, daffodil, and shamrock motifs to symbolise the four flowers of the United Kingdom
But her choice of headwear proved to be the real talking point. Many expected the eight-year-old princess to wear a tiara for the special occasion. Tiaras have been typically worn by other women in the royal family at similar events in the past, with Lauren Kiehna, writer of The Court Jeweller, telling People: “Tiaras were worn by nearly every royal lady at the Queen’s coronation in 1953, as well lots of aristocratic women but times have certainly changed in 70 years.”
Instead of opting for a tiara, however, Princess Charlotte was seen wearing a striking flower headpiece, which matched with her mother Kate’s. They were designed by milliner Jess Collett and Alexander McQueen, delicately crafted from silver bullion, crystal, and finished with silver thread work.
According to Vogue, there was great symbolism behind the choice. “The jewellery design is seemingly a nod to a motif used throughout Charles’s coronation of the Green Man. An ancient figure from British folklore, the Green Man symbolises spring and rebirth. He wears a crown of oak, ivy, and hawthorn, and the emblematic flowers.” It also reflected Charles’ lifelong interest in nature and preserving the environment.
The publication further noted: “It’s telling that the Princess of Wales opted for such a piece over a tiara. There was much debate over whether or not she’d choose a grand archival piece – which may have come across as tone-deaf given Britain’s ongoing cost of living crisis, or featured jewels of complicated origins—or forsake it for something else completely. She made the latter choice, which visually evokes her own path forward, as well as a new era for the monarchy. Fittingly, she had her daughter embody the same.”
There are a number of rules surrounding the use of tiaras – although given the grandeur of the occasion, the Coronation provided a potential exception. It has been tradition for many years that only a married woman, or bride, can wear a tiara; for Princess Kate, Meghan Markle and Princess Eugenie, their wedding days marked the first time they ever wore a tiara.
Etiquette expert Grant Harrold previously told the BBC: “For married ladies it was a sign of status and would show you were taken and not looking for a husband. For the gentleman it was a clear sign not to make advances toward the lady in question.” Similarly, a tiara or crown cannot be worn before 6pm because diamond headwear is considered formal attire. However, there is an exception to the rule. When royal guests are required to attend a special royal engagement they can then wear a tiara, including weddings and coronations.
