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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Jennifer Newton

Kate Middleton didn't want to wear wedding tiara and had unusual alternative in mind

On this day 11 years ago, the Duchess of Cambridge wowed the world on her wedding day.

As she glided down the aisle at Westminster Abbey to marry Prince William, she stunned in her beautiful wedding dress designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

But the gown wasn't the only eye-catching thing that Kate wore that day - she also sported a dazzling tiara.

She wore the Cartier Halo tiara, which was loaned to her by the Queen and signified the time-honoured custom of wearing "something borrowed".

However, it appears that the tiara wasn't Kate's first choice, and in fact, she almost didn't wear one altogether.

Kate on her wedding day wearing the Cartier Halo tiara (Getty Images)
William and Kate kiss on the Buckingham Palace balcony (WireImage)

That's because it's believed that she had originally wanted to wear a somewhat untraditional flower crown.

Her mother Carole had worn flowers in her hair when she married Kate's father Michael in 1980.

However, Kate eventually plumped for a tiara - and the one she was loaned featured 739 brilliant-cut diamonds and 149 baguette diamonds.

It was made in 1936 and bought by the Queen's father, then the Duke of York, for the Queen Mother, then the Duchess of York.

Kate's dress was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen (Getty Images)

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It was purchased three weeks before the duke succeeded his brother - King Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne - as King George VI.

The tiara was given to the Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, by her mother on her 18th birthday.

Kate in emerald and diamond jewellery loaned from the Queen at an event in Jamaica last month (Getty Images)

However, flower crowns were still a part of Kate's big day as her young bridesmaid wore them in their hair instead.

Since wearing the Queen's tiara on her wedding day, Kate has been given the honour of being allowed to wear some gorgeous jewellery held in Her Majesty's collection on countless occasions.

But it's not just her bond with the Queen that has seen her have her pick of the jewels, Kate is also said to have struck up a friendship with Angela Kelly - Her Majesty's personal dresser, who oversees her jewellery collection.

And royal expert Katie Nicholl previously told Grazia these good relationships help when it comes to borrowing jewellery.

A palace source told Katie: "Kate gets the pick of the jewels for big occasions and the Queen is happy to open up her jewellery box.

“Kate has been clever to befriend Angela Kelly, who is in charge of the Queen’s personal jewellery collection and oversees the loans.

“Generally, Kate is allowed to borrow whatever she fancies.”

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