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Every element of Princess Diana‘s wedding to then-Prince Charles became iconic. From her voluminous dress with its 25-foot train to her hairstyle, bridal bouquet, and tiara, brides copied her look for decades. However, Diana’s bridal fashion wasn’t mimicked by the women who married her sons.

But there’s good reason why Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle didn’t have one of the most memorable elements of their late mother-in-law’s bridal look on their wedding days.

Why didn’t Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle wear Princess Diana’s tiara on their wedding days?

Princess Diana’s sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, each married strong and determined women who brought their unique qualities to the royal family. However, they chose to blaze their own path when it came to their weddings.

For her 2011 wedding to William, Kate Middleton did not utilize any style elements from Princess Diana’s wedding. Instead of the Spencer tiara, Kate wore the Cartier Halo tiara on loan from Queen Elizabeth, comprised of 739 brilliant-cut diamonds and 149 baguette diamonds.

Meghan Markle also didn’t wear Diana’s tiara for her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry. Instead, she wore the Queen Mary Bandeau Tiara, handpicked by the queen for her nuptials.

So why didn’t either woman wear the infamous Spencer tiara? Simply because it wasn’t a royal tiara. However, Diana could wear it because it was a Spencer family heirloom.

Lady Jane Spencer’s sister was the first to wear it in 1978. Two years later, Diana’s sister, Lady Sarah Spencer, wore the diamond-studded tiara when she “I do.” Finally, Sarah’s daughter, Celia, was the last to wear it in 2018.

What Princess Diana elements were present at Kate Middleton and Prince William’s wedding ceremony?

Kate Middleton and Prince William paid homage to Princess Diana at their wedding ceremony. Some aspects of the ceremony and bridal style represented the late Princess of Wales.

Just as Diana did in 1981, Kate had a small blue bow sewn into her wedding dress for good luck. Diana’s sisters and brother were seated up front, and her sister Sarah McCorquodale wore the Spencer family heirloom earrings Diana donned during her wedding to then-Prince Charles.

William and Kate chose the hymn “Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer”—the final selection sung at Diana’s funeral, as part of their ceremony. The couple also invited representatives from organizations important to Diana to the royal family event.

How did Prince Harry and Meghan Markle honor the late Princess of Wales?

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wed at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in May 2018. As soon as guests entered the venue, nods to Princess Diana were apparent.

Upon entering the chapel, an elaborate archway of white peonies and garden roses was visible. These same flowers are also planted in Kensington Palace’s White Garden to honor the Princess of Wales. Harry picked flowers from that garden to insert into Meghan’s wedding bouquet.

Princess Diana’s family members attended Harry’s wedding, just as they did seven years prior for William. Lady Sara McCorquodale, Lady Jane Fellowes, and Earl Charles Spencer were all witnesses. As William before him, Harry also used the hymn “Guide Me, O Thy Great Redeemer” in the service.

Princess Diana died in 1997 in a car accident in Paris, France. The Spencer family tiara remains as part of the family’s estate.

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