Coronation Fashion Choices: Will Catherine, the Princess of Wales, Break with Tradition?

With just over a month to go until the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey, fashion is on everyone's mind.

One person whose outfit has been the subject of much speculation is Catherine, the Princess of Wales.

Reports suggest that her coronation ensemble is still under discussion, and there are fears that she may break with tradition.

Traditionally, royal women at past coronations have worn tiaras.

Even young Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret wore coronets at George VI's crowning in 1937.

However, there are whispers that this time round, the dress code may be more low-key.

Tiaras may be replaced by hats, as Charles is rumoured to be following the example of some of his European counterparts who have opted for a daytime formal dress code for their own coronations.

This speculation has left many royal watchers anxious, as they eagerly anticipate seeing the royal ladies donning their finest gowns and jewellery for the momentous occasion.

One royal jewellery expert, Lauren Kiner, pointed out that this could be part of the deformalising trend that has been taking place in the British royal world in recent decades.

“I'm certainly hoping we'll see coronation tiaras, but it's possible that Charles is setting a daytime formal dress code for the event,” explained Kiner, who runs the popular blog The Court Jeweller.

“That would mean that we could still see some grand jewels like necklaces, brooches and earrings but no tiaras.

It'll be sad if that's true, but it may be just another part of the changing times in the British royal world.”

However, amidst the speculation and uncertainty, there are two people who will definitely be wearing glittering crowns on the day of the coronation – King Charles and Queen Camilla.

In a departure from recent history, Camilla will be wearing Queen Mary's crown, an existing crown that has been set with the Cullinan III, IV and V diamonds, which were part of Queen Elizabeth's personal jewellery collection.

The Cullinan III and IV diamonds were worn together from a brooch and are estimated to be worth over £50 million.

Additionally, four of the crown's detachable arches will be removed to give it a refreshed look compared to when Queen Mary wore it over 100 years ago.

On the other hand, Charles will be crowned with the traditional St Edward's crown, a historic symbol of monarchy that has been carefully preserved and modified for the occasion.

The crown had been temporarily removed from the Tower of London for modification work but has now been returned to display, adding to the anticipation and excitement surrounding the coronation.

As the royal family continues to plan and finalise their outfits for the historic event, there is a sense of tradition meeting modernity.

While some may anxiously await the inclusion of tiaras in the royal ladies' ensembles, others may view a potential departure from this tradition as a sign of the royal family adapting to changing times and setting new trends.

It is worth noting that throughout history, fashion has always played a significant role in the portrayal of royalty.

The British royal family has been no exception.

From Queen Elizabeth II's iconic outfits to Princess Diana's ground-breaking fashion choices, royal fashion has often been a reflection of the times and a way for the royal family to connect with the public.

As the monarchy evolves, so does its fashion, and the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla could be another milestone in this evolution.