Who will inherit Queen Elizabeth’s royal jewellery, tiaras and brooches? King Charles is likely to receive private heirlooms, but Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle may get some Princess Diana gems

Sep 15 , 2022

Who will inherit Queen Elizabeth’s royal jewellery collection? Photos: EPA, handout

Queen Elizabeth’s death at 96 on September 8 saddened the nation, but she will forever be remembered for her legacy and as the longest reigning British monarch

Spectators are wondering what will happen to the Cartier Halo and Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau … and is Princess Charlotte getting the Spencer Tiara?

When King Charles III inherited a new title upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, on September 8, he also likely acquired her extensive jewel, crown and brooch collection.

Some of these items will remain part of the Crown Jewels, a collection of royal ceremonial objects on public display at the Tower of London. However, the queen’s private collection – worth millions of US dollars and comprised of family heirlooms, gifts, and items bought by the monarch herself – is expected to be passed down to members of the Windsor family, starting with King Charles.

The British Crown Jewels on display inside the Tower of London. Photo: Getty Images

“It is likely that she would want to pass on items from her private collection to her loved ones,” royal commentator Josh Rom told the New York Post. “The bulk of the collection will pass to Charles – with Camilla as his queen consort – and then Kate, so they may not be left anything big [in the will].”

One of the replica sets of the British Crown Jewels made in honour of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953 goes on view at Sotheby’s in January 2018, in London, England. Photo: Getty Images/Sotheby’s

According to Vanity Fair, the royal collection began during the reign of Queen Victoria in the 1800s, when the former monarch began collecting jewels as the British Empire expanded. The collection continued to grow during the reign of Queen Mary, who amassed extravagant pieces during her world travels and through connections with jewellers and world leaders, Vanity Fair reported. Many of Queen Mary’s jewels were gifted to her granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth, who subsequently loaned out various pieces during her 70 years on the throne.

The Cartier Halo tiara

The Cartier Halo tiara was first commissioned in 1936 by King George VI as a gift for his wife, Queen Elizabeth, aka queen mother, according to Vogue France. She gifted it to her daughter, then Princess Elizabeth, on her 18th birthday. It contains 739 brilliant-cut diamonds and 149 baguette diamonds, and was worn by Kate Middleton at her wedding.

The Diamond Bandeau

Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau, which was worn by Meghan Markle for her wedding to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. Photo: AFP

Meghan Markle sported Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau during her May 2018 wedding to Prince Harry.

Rom told the New York Post that it’s possible the queen will bequeath the crowns to the same royals who borrowed them, though it’s worth noting that there would be hefty inheritance taxes on the heirlooms if this were the case.