Meghan Markle Tiara Predictions

First thing's first: will I be as, um, "devoted" to Meghan as Kate?  Nope.  That would be like having two favorite football teams--it's just crazy.  But!  That won't stop me from a little bit of fun speculation today.  So, what tiara is Meghan likely to wear when she marries Harry?  We have a few clues to help steer us in the right direction:

First, in terms of tiaras, it is important to understand that royal houses "counts the centuries, not the carats" in terms of tiara importance. 

For comparison's sake:

Kate's tiara dates from 1936 and was first worn by the Queen Mother--a relative commoner who became a Duchess who became a Queen Consort.  Expertly chosen, as this is the same path Kate will take, if all goes to plan.

Halo Scroll as worn by the Queen Mum, Princess Anne, and K-Middy.
The Queen wore it too early on.

Fun fact: we haven't seen her wear it again because it's currently traveling in a Cartier exhibit.

Princess Diana's tiara is made from two others--the pieces date from 1875-1937.  But!  This was not a loan from the Queen; it belongs to the Spencer family from which Diana came.  It's current owner is her brother, the 9th Earl of Spencer.  Kind of weird to see it on other Spencer brides, no?

The Spencer Tiara on Spencer Brides.

When Prince Philip threatened to strip Diana of her royal title, she pointed out that her title (The Honourable Diana Spencer, later the Lady Diana Spencer) was older than his.  So put THAT in your pipe and smoke it, Phil!

Do I really need to caption this one?

We think Sophie's hideous cat-ears tiara is made of elements of Queen Victoria's circlet from 1858, which is a big deal indeed.  (Of note: Edward and his wife Sophie are the only of the Queen's children to not get divorced, so maybe the Queen saved the most important tiara--historically speaking--for Sophie.)

Sophie in the Cat Ears.  Her husband designed her pearl necklace and earrings.
He should not be a jeweler.

And Fergie's tiara was made for her from new diamonds, giving it no significance whatsoever.  Which begs the question, does the queen seem to know how things will end?

Fergie's brand new tiara. She covered it up with flowers walking down the aisle, then removed them after signing the register.  She's also on record bragging about how many diamonds it has.

For her own wedding, THE Queen herself wore a fringe tiara made of diamonds from Queen Victoria's necklace, which dated to 1893.  Princess Anne donned the same during her first wedding.

The tiara broke on the morning of the wedding.  Can you spot the breaking point?

Anne in her Star Wars wedding dress.

Second, we must keep in mind Harry's position: he's not the future king, he's the 3rd grandson of the Queen marrying an American divorcee.  Beyond that, he's 5th in line to the throne, soon to be 6th after Baby Cambridge is born in April.  So it's more apt to look at what the other grandchildren (or grandchildren-in-law) and nieces and nephews of the Queen have worn, and that is mostly tiaras from their parents.

Zara Philips wore one of her mother's tiara (her mum is Princess Anne, for anyone keeping track at home).  Specifically, she wore the Meander Tiara, which belonged to Prince Philip's mother who was a Greek-princess-turned-nun after some serious health issues.  We think the tiara dates from the early 1900's.

Princess Alice, Zara Philips, and Princess Anne in the Meander.

The Meander.  The perfect tiara for a Greek princess, yes?

When Anne's son, Peter Philips, was married to Canadian Autumn Kelly, Anne loaned his bride her Festoon tiara.  The Festoon was given to Anne in 1973, which again, is young for a tiara.

Perhaps Anne also has that mother's intuition, as Peter and his wife Autumn are not well-respected as far as the Royal Family Firm goes.

A younger Princess Anne in the Festoon.

The Queen's niece Lady Sarah Chatto (Princess Margaret's daughter) wore the Snowdon Floral Tiara, which was not a tiara at all, but rather 3 brooches purchased by her father for her mother in the 1960s (although their original creation date is unknown).  The brooches became a tiara in 1994.

Can you tell that these were 3 brooches originally?

When the Queen's nephew David married, his bride Serena Stanhope wore another tiara-that-wasn't-originally-a-tiara, but rather a necklace when it was purchased in 1923.  It was reconfigured the Lotus Flower, which has been on quite the journey: the Queen Mum loaned it to Princess Margaret, who loaned it to her son's bride, and after Margaret's death, it disappeared.  It was even presumed sold.

The Lotus on the Queen Mum, Princess Margaret, and Serena Stanhope.

It then reappeared in 2013 on the head of one Catherine Middleton.  David and Serena are now the Earl and Countess of Snowdon, so it's fitting that Serena's tiara had a bit more historical significance.

Finally, I do think there's a matter of personal preference involved.  I suspect that royal brides are given a few options (usually of the "starter tiara" variety) and then make a selection. 

So, with that perspective, what do I think will grace Meghan's head?

Possibility #1 - The Spencer Tiara

Why: Prince Harry could ask his uncle for a loan of the tiara made famous by his mother.  He made Meghan's engagement ring of stones from his late mother's brooch, and their photocall today was in Kensington Gardens.  This was very Diana-centric space, and the fact that he chose this spot even though nothing is growing there in November, and it was raining, speaks volumes.  Harry and Diana's bond was so close that it was he that inherited her sapphire engagement ring, but gave it to William when he met Kate.  In their interview today, Meghan mentioned meeting the family of Diana often prior to their engagement.
Why not:  It's quite a tall order to live up to!

Possibility #2 - Something on the smallish side from the royal vault
Why: It was done for Kate, plus Meghan will need a tiara to wear to certain events.  Best guesses?  Strathmore Rose (which has done a disappearing act) or the Cartier Bracelet Bandeau.
Why not: A weak argument, but the whole 6th-in-line-to-the-throne thing may not warrant emptying the vaults.  As for the Bracelet Bandeau, they have colored stones, although the sleep aesthetic would certainly appeal to the future Meghan, Duchess of Somewhere.

The Strathmore Rose.

Cartier Bracelets as Bracelets.

Cartier Bracelets as a tiara on the Queen Mum.
The Queen still wears them as bracelets.

Possibility #3 - A loan from Charles & Camilla
Why: This would fit the "loan from the parents" category.  Camilla currently had 4 tiaras at her disposal, and only one seems like a super-remote possibility. The Greville and Delhi Durbar are in rotation and way too huge, the Cubitt-Shand is a tiara from her family, leaving only the Teck Crescent (which is on loan to her) or the Teck Necklace Tiara.
Why not: They're both still on the larger side, and is the Crescent a bit of an odd duck, tiara-wise: roses and...crescents?  Plus, not sure if Harry would like a tiara from Camilla, even if it is a loan from the queen.

Camilla in the Greville, the Delhi Durbar, and her own Cubitt-Shand.

The still-kinda-massive Teck Crescent!

Possibility #4 - A loan from a jeweler or a new piece.
Why: This would come from Charles, as the Duchy of Cornwall is what finances the Prince of Wales and his household.  A new piece could be made to Meghan's specifications, and would indicate her newfound status as an American-turned-British Duchess.  Pippa Middleton--while not royalty--also had a tiara made.  And Sophie, Countess of Wessex, has borrowed a tiara before, albeit an ugly, small, daisy number.
Why not: Cost and criticism would accompany a new pieces.  And a loan from a jeweler doesn't make sense, as she'll need a tiara going forward for more formal events.

Pippa's new Maidenhair Fern tiara and headpiece.

Sophie's Daisy Tiara loan.

So, with alllllllllllllllll that in mind, what do you think it most likely to be the bridal tiara of Meghan Markle?

And finally, little know fact: the Spencer vault actually has a second tiara.  I suspect that Diana never wore this one because it's hideous. Love a honeysuckle motif, love a Greek key pattern.  I just have no idea why anyone would combine them together.  If Meghan wears this one, I'll eat my hat.  (And probably make a lot of money, should I place a wager on it with Ladbrokes.)

The Spencer Honeysuckle Greek Key...Thing.