For years, speculation has swirled about which granddaughter of Princess Diana would one day wear the late princess’s most iconic heirloom: the dazzling, $535,000 Spencer Tiara. But now, after insiders confirmed that
Princess Charlotte—and not Prince Harry’s daughter Lilibet—is the likely future wearer of the treasured piece, royal tensions have reportedly erupted to a level not seen in years.
Behind palace doors in Montecito and London, the reactions could not be more different.
In Windsor, the Wales family is said to be quietly touched by the symbolism.
In California, however, sources claim Meghan Markle is furious.
And according to insiders, this clash may be the spark that pushes the Sussex–Wales divide into entirely new territory.
A Tiara Worth Half a Million — And a Legacy Beyond Price
The Spencer Tiara is one of the most recognizable pieces of jewelry in royal history. Crafted from 18th-century diamonds and gifted to Diana’s grandmother in 1919, its tulip and starburst motifs became inseparable from Diana’s public image. She wore it dozens of times — most famously on her 1981 wedding day.
And unlike the Crown Jewels, the tiara does not belong to the monarch.
It belongs to the Spencer family, privately held and guarded by Earl Charles Spencer, Diana’s brother.
Since Diana’s tragic death in 1997, the tiara has been seen only rarely. Its last public appearance was in 2018, worn by Diana’s niece Celia McCorquodale at her wedding.
That privacy, experts say, is what gives the tiara its “untouchable sentimental power.”
Jewelry Expert Confirms the Inevitable
According to Maxwell Stone of Steven Stone Jewellers, the question of which girl—Charlotte or Lilibet—might one day wear the piece is rooted in two simple truths:
1. Position within the royal family
2. Connection to Diana’s public legacy
Stone explains:
“Princess Charlotte, as a visible and central member of the core royal family, embodies her grandmother’s legacy in a public way.
This makes the Spencer Tiara a fitting symbolic choice for future major events — particularly a wedding.”
Charlotte, still only eight years old, has never worn a tiara publicly, but she has worn child-appropriate headpieces at state events — small signs of the role she will one day take on.
Lilibet, by contrast, lives in the United States and has limited connection to royal duties, traditions, or public events.
Stone notes gently:
“Her path is less entwined with royal custom, which may make access to the tiara less straightforward.”
In other words:
Princess Charlotte is the natural heir to Diana’s most sentimental jewel — and there is almost no scenario in which the tiara would go to Lilibet.
Meghan Markle’s Reported Reaction: “This Isn’t About a Tiara — It’s About What We Deserve.”
According to multiple sources, the news did not sit well with Meghan Markle.
Insiders claim the Duchess of Sussex erupted in anger, believing Lilibet’s exclusion from the tiara’s future represented “yet another slight” against her family.
One insider alleges Meghan shouted:
“You think this is just about a tiara?
Think again — it’s about what we deserve!”
Courtiers have quietly described the situation as “a new level of tension,” with whispers inside the palace that the Sussex–Wales rift has “never been this raw.”
Harry, reportedly torn between loyalty to Meghan and nostalgia for his mother, is said to be “deeply frustrated” but resigned. The Spencer Tiara, after all, is not the Royal Family’s to give.
Even Princess Charlotte Was Said to Be Surprised
Despite the drama swirling around her, Princess Charlotte’s response was reportedly innocent and touching.
One source claims that when she first heard talk that the Spencer Tiara would be hers one day, Charlotte murmured:
“Wait… that’s really mine?”
It’s a reminder that for Charlotte, the tiara isn’t a weapon in a royal feud —
it’s a connection to the grandmother she never knew.
Why Lilibet Was Never a Likely Choice
Beyond geography and royal roles, there is one more decisive factor:
The tiara is controlled entirely by the Spencer family.
As Earl Spencer’s heirloom, any decision about lending it — whether for official events or weddings — rests solely with him. Even Meghan, Harry, and their supporters cannot influence that.
One palace insider explains:
“There is virtually no way the tiara ends up in Lilibet’s hands.
It isn’t a Royal Family decision — it’s a Spencer family one.”
In other words:
Even if King Charles wanted Lilibet to wear it, he couldn’t.
A Jewel That Could Ignite a Royal Battle
Jewelry is rarely “just jewelry” in the royal world.
It’s symbolism, history, legacy — and often, power.
And this particular heirloom carries the emotional weight of Diana’s memory.
For some in the royal household, this inheritance conversation signals a quiet but powerful transition:
Princess Charlotte is stepping into her role as the next prominent royal woman of her generation.
For others — especially across the ocean — it feels like yet another reminder that Harry and Meghan’s children exist outside the circle of royal tradition.
The tiara that once united the world in admiration for Princess Diana may now become the spark for a new and bitter chapter in the Sussex–Wales divide.
And according to insiders, the drama hasn’t even truly begun.
