Kate Middleton's wedding dress has been the subject of much speculation since her engagement to Prince William in November, while her head dress has been largely ignored. What, exactly, will she wear atop her head? Will her attire feature only a veil, or will she don a regal tiara, as well?
Some media outlets, such as the Royal Wedding Insider, have suggested Queen Elizabeth II should offer to lend Kate a tiara from her royal collection.
When she married Prince Charles in 1981, Princess Diana's hair was adorned with the beautiful Spencer family tiara.
But because Kate is from a family of commoners, her family does not have royal jewels to offer.
If Queen Elizabeth II were to offer to lend a royal tiara to Kate, it would be as if Queen Elizabeth II were putting her official public stamp of approval on Prince William's marriage. After allegedly criticizing the couple for scaled-back arrangements, such as arriving at Westminster Abbey in a car rather than a carriage, Queen Elizabeth's public approval would do the couple and the monarchy good, allowing the perception on a united front.
But would a royal tiara conflict with Kate's image and brand of a down-to-earth, common Royal princess? Kate does, after all, come from an independently wealthy, coal-mining family.
Kate will need something borrowed, by traditional standards, and what better to borrow than a blessing and tiara from the queen herself?
Besides, the majority of common girls would love to wear a royal tiara for their wedding. A borrowed tiara itself would be a symbol of Kate's entire girl-next-door-to-princess story, putting a final stamp on her rise and inclusion into Britain's most prominent family.
Perhaps Queen Elizabeth II could lend Kate the fringe tiara, which Elizabeth herself borrowed from Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, when she married Prince Philip in 1947.
Prince William and Kate Middleton will marry at Westminster Abbey on April 29.
