Queen Camilla made a striking fashion statement this month when she joined King Charles and Prince William at a Windsor Castle reception honoring members of the Diplomatic Corps. The Queen stepped out wearing the iconic Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara—valued at an astounding $13M.
The headpiece is the same one Princess Eugenie famously wore at her wedding to Jack Brooksbank in October 2018. Its appearance marked the first time the tiara had been seen in public since that royal ceremony, prompting many to view Camilla’s choice as both meaningful and potentially strategic.
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Queen Camilla Wears Princess Eugenie's Wedding Tiara
Originally crafted for Dame Margaret Greville, the tiara was later passed down through the royal family. Queen Elizabeth II inherited it but never wore it publicly, instead lending it to Princess Eugenie for her wedding day. At the time, some royal watchers interpreted the gesture as a subtle show of support for Eugenie amid heightened scrutiny surrounding her father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Now, with Queen Camilla bringing the tiara back into the spotlight, its reemergence has renewed interest in its history—and its symbolism within the modern monarchy.
The Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara appears to be a highly sought-after choice among royal women. According to several reports and royal biographers, Meghan Markle initially hoped to wear the emerald tiara for her 2018 wedding—but her request was reportedly denied by Queen Elizabeth II. Meghan is said to have “had her heart set on” the piece, which was among the options presented to her. In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry confirmed that an “emerald-covered diadem” was one of the choices and “stood out” as if it were “made for Meg.”
Meghan Markle Was Denied The Iconic Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara
Queen Elizabeth is believed to have refused the request due to concerns about the tiara’s provenance. The emeralds were thought to have possibly entered the royal collection through unclear channels following the Russian Revolution, which could have sparked unwanted media scrutiny. The late Queen allegedly reminded Harry, “Meghan cannot have whatever she wants. She gets the tiara she’s given.”
Meghan ultimately wore the Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau—a sleek, Art Deco piece that hadn’t been publicly seen in over six decades. She later described the selection process as “surreal,” adding that she chose the bandeau because it felt “clean and simple” and perfectly complemented her wedding gown.
Just five months later, Princess Eugenie wore the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara for her own wedding, fueling further speculation and renewed debate over the earlier reports surrounding Meghan’s request.
