Though most of the speculation leading up to Friday’s royal wedding has been about what Kate’s dress will look like, there has also been a substantial amount of chatter about whether the bride will wear a tiara and, if so, which one? (Yes, when you’re a royal, or about to become one, trying to decide on a tiara can be quite a chore.)
Wills and Kate have long insisted they want theirs to be “the people’s wedding”, so it has been widely thought that Kate might forgo the “crown” and not wear a tiara at all. The idea of Kate wearing flowers in her hair has been floating around for quite some time but, apparently, Camilla (yes, Camilla) has put the kibosh on that one.
In any case, the tiara talk has just heated up – a lot. It’s been reported that a “well spoken, middle-aged woman” walked into a Ladbrokes sports betting shop in Ascot last week and tried to wager £6000 that Kate would wear the Queen’s 180-year-old George III tiara during the royal wedding ceremony. Fearing the woman had an insider tip, the suspicious Ladbrokes staff refused to take the bet. Apparently, however, the woman immediately went to another Ladbroke’s branch in Egham, where her 12:1 bet was accepted.
Also known as the Russian Fringe Tiara (see in photo), the diamond encrusted trinket is said to have been a favourite of Queen Victoria and Queen Mary and was worn by the Queen Mother, Princess Elizabeth (the current Queen) and Princess Anne when they were married.
“We usually take bets of £10 or £20 on a fun market like this,” said a spokesman for Ladbrokes. “When that sort of money gets thrown around it looks very much like a done deal.” Trying to prevent copycats from piling on the suspected fix, the betting chain has removed the tiara wager from all its outlets.
I guess Carole Middleton will just have to settle for the cool £72,000.
To watch the event and participate in a live chat with Chatelaine’s royal wedding watch blogger, Leah McLaren, click here! Coverage begins Friday at 5 am ET.