{"url":"https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/royals/article-15704395/meghan-queen-tiara-wedding-robert-hardman-book-elizabeth.html","title":"Queen vetoed Meghan's tiara dream for wedding, new book reveals","domain":"dailymail.co.uk","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/3761005/pexels-photo-3761005.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","category":"Culture","language":"en","slug":"ceca7776","id":"ceca7776-d0ad-4005-9021-f5c5008b548f","description":"Meghan Markle wore the Queen Mary Bandeau tiara at her 2018 wedding, not the Queen's tiara as she once hoped.","summary":"## TL;DR\n- **Meghan Markle** wore the Queen Mary Bandeau tiara at her **2018 wedding**, not the **Queen's tiara** as she once hoped.\n- The late **Queen Elizabeth II** personally selected the tiara after rejecting Meghan's initial choice of **Princess Margaret's Poltimore Tiara**.\n- A new book by royal author **Robert Hardman** reveals the behind-the-scenes drama over the jewellery decision.\n- The story highlights tensions in royal wedding preparations, showing the Queen's firm hand.\n\n## The story at a glance\nRoyal author **Robert Hardman** uncovers in his new book how **Queen Elizabeth** vetoed **Meghan Markle's** preferred tiara for her **2018 wedding** to **Prince Harry**, opting instead for a diamond bandeau. It's reported now amid fresh insights into the late monarch's final years.\n\n## Key moments & milestones\n- **2018**: **Meghan** requests **Princess Margaret's Poltimore Tiara** but is turned down by the **Queen**.\n- **May 19, 2018**: **Queen Elizabeth** lends **Queen Mary Bandeau Tiara** for St George's Chapel wedding.\n- **Post-wedding**: Rumours emerge of a jewellery 'row', with palace insiders denying any drama.\n- **2024**: **Robert Hardman's** book *Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story* details the Queen's decisive intervention.\n\n## Signature highlights\n- The **Queen Mary Bandeau Tiara**, made in **1932** from **22-karat gold** and **nearly 100 diamonds**, was a last-minute choice after the **Poltimore Tiara** - valued at **£7million** - was deemed unsuitable.\n- **Meghan** had admired the Poltimore during a **2017 visit** to **Windsor Castle**, but the **Queen** preferred the simpler bandeau for TV cameras.\n- Palace staff described the process as 'entirely normal', with the **Queen** personally approving all jewels for brides since **Diana's 1981 wedding**.\n- Hardman notes the **Queen** grew fond of **Meghan** but set firm boundaries early.\n\n## Key quotes\n> 'The Queen said no to that one. The Queen doesn't do that sort of thing. She just says no.'\n> \n> - Royal aide on the tiara rejection.\n\n> 'There was no row. Jewellery is always approved by the Queen.'\n> \n> - Palace source responding to rumours.\n\n## Why it matters\nThis anecdote reveals the **Queen's** unyielding control over royal traditions, even amid **Meghan's** integration into the family, foreshadowing later rifts. It humanises palace protocols while fuelling interest in **Hardman's** book on the monarchy's evolution. Watch for more excerpts challenging Sussex narratives as the **Charles III** era scrutiny intensifies.","hashtags":["#royals","#meghanmarkle","#queenelizabeth","#princeharry","#royalwedding"],"viewCount":2,"publishedAt":"2026-04-03T20:28:31.630Z"}