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The British royal family is renowned for its opulent jewelry collection containing priceless heirlooms and dazzling tiaras that have been passed down through generations. At the heart of this storied collection lies the legacy of Princess Diana, whose unique and iconic style cemented her status as a global fashion icon. When Diana married King Charles in 1981, she was thrust into the spotlight and gained access to the breathtaking array of jewels in the royal family's collection. Over the course of her marriage and after her divorce, Diana was frequently photographed wearing many of the family's most famous pieces.
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Perhaps the most iconic are the sapphire and diamond suite. This stunning set includes a necklace, bracelet and earrings adorned with sapphires and diamonds, estimated to be worth a staggering 16.5 million pounds today. Diana was famously photographed wearing the sapphire and diamond suite during a state visit to Australia in 1983, and the striking blue hue of the sapphires quickly became associated with her signature look. Another famous piece is the Lovers Knot Tiara, which was one of Diana's favorites and is now regularly worn by Kate Middleton. This delicate tiara featuring pearls and diamonds was originally commissioned by Queen Mary in 1914 and has been passed down through generations of royal women since.
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These priceless jewels were intended to be heirlooms, passed down from generation to generation within the royal family. However, their distribution after Diana's tragic death in 1997 has resulted in controversy and tension. Most notably, Meghan Markle reportedly felt outraged that she did not inherit any of Diana's iconic pieces after marrying Prince Harry in 2018. The reason for this perceived snub lies in the line of succession. As the wife of Prince William, who is second in line to the throne, Kate Middleton has primarily inherited Diana's most famous jewels. This includes the iconic sapphire engagement ring as well as the Lovers Knot Tiara and sapphire suite that Diana was so fond of wearing.
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In contrast, Meghan's position as the wife of Prince Harry, who is sixth in line to the throne, meant she was not entitled to the same level of access. While Meghan has worn some of Diana's pieces on loan, such as her aquamarine ring, these are not part of her personal collection. This perceived slight has only added to ongoing tensions within the royal family since Meghan and Harry's high-profile decision to step back as senior royals in 2020. Their explosive Oprah interview in which they accused the palace of racism and lack of support further strained relations.
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Despite the complex drama surrounding their ownership, the legacy of Princess Diana's jewels remains captivating. The individual pieces themselves hold deep personal meaning beyond mere symbols of wealth and status. One of the most iconic is the sapphire and diamond suite Diana wore so memorably in Australia. The striking blue hue of the sapphires quickly became associated with her signature look and enduring influence. Another beloved piece was the Lovers Knot Tiara, regularly worn by modern royalty like Kate Middleton. Originally commissioned in 1914, it has been passed through generations as a royal heirloom.
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The distribution of these jewels has not been uncomplicated. In addition to tensions between Meghan and the family over jewelry inheritance, there have been questions regarding ownership rights. For example, the decision to pass Diana's iconic sapphire engagement ring to Kate Middleton rather than keep it as a memorial to Diana herself was met with some controversy. Some felt it should have remained with Diana's sons instead of being given to another royal bride.
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Nevertheless, as the royal family navigates the challenges of modern public scrutiny, the legacy of Princess Diana's exquisite jewelry collection endures as a captivating part of royal history. Whether worn by Kate, Meghan or future generations, these jewels have become forever imbued with Diana's poignant and bittersweet legacy as the People's Princess. They symbolize not just her impeccable style and charitable influence, but also the ongoing drama within Britain's most famous family. As tensions persist within the House of Windsor, the fate of Diana's precious heirlooms will undoubtedly continue to fascinate royal watchers worldwide.
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