Queen Camilla Just Wore the $13 Million Tiara Meghan Markle Reportedly Wanted for Her Wedding Day
King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted the Diplomatic Corps reception at Windsor Castle for the first time in 24 years.Queen Camilla wore the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiara, a multi-million-pound piece created by Boucheron and inherited through the royal family.Meghan Markle reportedly wanted to wear the same tiara for her 2018 wedding but was denied by Queen Elizabeth II.For the first time in 24 years, King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted the Diplomatic Corps reception at Windsor Castle, which is notably in itself—but it was Camilla’s diamond and emerald tiara that really got people talking. Known as the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiara, the distinct piece was created by Boucheron for Dame Margaret Greville, whose jewels were later inherited by the Queen Mother and passed down to Queen Elizabeth II. Oh, and it’s also considered one of the priciest Windsor family jewels.As gemologist Joanna Wyganowska previously told the Daily Express, the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiara is worth somewhere in the multi-millions, saying, “[Its] value is staggering—upward of £5 million, perhaps as high as £10 million,” which, for the record, is about $13 million. And apparently, it’s the tiara Meghan Markle was eyeing for her wedding back in 2018.Pool//Getty ImagesRumor has it there was some drama surrounding Meghan’s choice of tiara for her wedding day. While she ended up wearing the Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau tiara, Meghan’s reported first choice was the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiara. As a source alleged to The Sun at the time, “Meghan had her heart set on this tiara with emeralds and Prince Harry hit the roof when they were told it was impossible for her to wear it.”They continued, “There was a very heated exchange that prompted the Queen to speak to Harry. She said, ‘Meghan cannot have whatever she wants. She gets what tiara she’s given by me.’”AARON CHOWN//Getty ImagesTo add insult to injury: Princess Eugenie ended up borrowing the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiara from the Queen for her wedding to Jack Brooksbank just five months later. Oop!WPA Pool//Getty ImagesSo...why didn’t the Queen want Meghan to wear the pricy crown? Per royal historian Robert Lacey (via The Mirror), the tiara “was said ‘to have come from Russia.’ This was code for a sensitive origin, meaning that the treasure was one of those that had found its way into Windsor hands through ‘undefined’ not to say dodgy channels—and for an undisclosed price—in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution.” Meaning: the Queen seemingly wanted to avoid any scandal. However, royal authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durrand later disputed Tiaragate claims and said (via The Mirror) that the “tiara selection went wonderfully” and both Meghan and the Queen were “very happy” with the Diamond Bandeau so...who knows!While You're Here...Every Tiara in the Royal Family’s Collection
