Queen Camilla Shines in Beloved Heirloom Tiara at Oman State Banquet

WINDSOR — Queen Camilla stepped into the spotlight at Windsor Castle on the evening of Tuesday, October 20, sparkling in one of the most cherished and recognisable pieces in the royal collection, a tiara inseparable from the late Queen Elizabeth II. It was her second tiara appearance of 2026, and the centrepiece of a glittering white‑tie state banquet welcoming Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman. Beside her stood King Charles III, joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and senior members of the family for an evening that blended diplomacy, tradition, and heartfelt friendship.

A Favourite Headpiece Steeped in History

Camilla chose the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara, paired with an elegant blue gown, for the occasion. It is a piece with a story as rich as the jewels themselves. According to the Royal Collection Trust, the tiara began life as a wedding gift in 1893, raised by public subscription under the leadership of Lady Eva Greville and presented to Princess May of Teck, later Queen Mary, on her marriage to the future King George V. The fundraising effort was so successful that surplus funds were directed to supporting the families of those lost in the sinking of HMS Victoria, adding a deeply compassionate chapter to its origins.

Originally set with pearls, Queen Mary later had the piece altered to feature diamonds in their place. Designed with festoon and fleur‑de‑lis motifs, it carries another unique distinction: it can be dismantled and worn as a necklace, offering versatility as well as grandeur.

From Queen Mary to Queen Elizabeth

Queen Mary gave the tiara to her granddaughter, the future Queen Elizabeth II, as a wedding gift in 1947. It became one of her absolute favourites so closely associated with her image that it appeared on British banknotes and coins throughout her seven‑decade reign. She affectionately referred to it as “Granny’s tiara,” a reminder of the bond between generations. Now, Queen Camilla has taken up her mantle, wearing it on significant occasions including a visit to the City of London earlier this year and the 2023 Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace. Her choice to wear it once again honours Elizabeth’s enduring legacy.

A Royal Tradition Revived

Camilla’s embrace of royal tiaras has evolved since Charles’s accession in 2022. Notably, she did not wear one on her own wedding day in 2005, but has since become a graceful custodian of these historic treasures, most notably at her coronation, where she wore Queen Mary’s Crown, created in 1911, opting not to commission a new piece “in the interests of sustainability and efficiency.” Her selection of the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara speaks to continuity, respect, and a quiet determination to honour the women who came before her.

A Night of Glamour and Heritage

She was far from alone in making a statement:

• The Princess of Wales wore her go‑to tiara a piece also beloved by Princess Diana, alongside a striking yellow gown by Elie Saab and jewels that once belonged to Queen Elizabeth.

• Princess Anne chose the Meander Tiara, originally belonging to her grandmother, Princess Alice.

• The Duchess of Gloucester completed the quartet in the Honeysuckle Tiara.

Together, they formed a living gallery of royal heritage each headpiece telling its own story across centuries.

Windsor Castle in All Its Splendour

With Buckingham Palace undergoing major renovations, Windsor Castle has become the premier setting for state visits, and St. George’s Hall did not disappoint. The 50‑metre banquet table ran the length of the room, laid with 480 knives, 480 forks, and 160 spoons. At its centre stood a dragon candelabra commissioned by King William IV in 1833, adorned with pomegranates from a tree planted by Prince Philip on the East Terrace half a century ago. Even the salt dishes bore a delicate new imprint of King Charles’s royal cypher, a subtle mark of his reign.

Symbolism on the Table and in the Speeches

Every element of the evening reflected care, respect, and cultural understanding. In deference to Omani custom, no alcohol was offered for toasts; instead, guests began with Omani Kahwa, a cardamom- and rose‑infused coffee prepared specially by the royal kitchens. The meal concluded with three teas, bridging British tradition and Omani hospitality. In his speech, King Charles welcomed the Sultan as “a dear and old friend,” closing with a warm greeting in Arabic: “Welcome to a visitor of whom one never tires.” The seating plan was equally thoughtful, placing the Sultan between the King and the Princess of Wales, with Prince William and Queen Camilla seated opposite alongside Omani royalty.

Looking Ahead: A Solemn Anniversary

The banquet marked the high point of a full day of celebration, but the royal family’s next engagement carries a very different tone. On Wednesday, October 21, Queen Camilla will join King Charles and Prince William in Aberfan, South Wales, to mark the 60th anniversary of the 1966 mining disaster that claimed 116 children and 28 adults. The visit will acknowledge one of the most difficult chapters in Queen Elizabeth’s early reign her decision not to travel immediately to the village, a choice she later described as one of her greatest regrets. For Camilla, it will be another moment of quiet duty, remembrance, and reconciliation.

A Legacy Worn With Pride

From a gift raised by public subscription in 1893 to a symbol of continuity in 2026, the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara has passed through four generations of queens. As Queen Camilla wore it once more under the vaulted ceilings of St. George’s Hall, she did more than shine; she honoured a promise: to preserve the past while stepping confidently into the future. And in that, she was truly magnificent.