Meghan Markle’s Wedding Tiara Is the Sparkly Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau

Meghan Markle‘s royal wedding walk down the aisle wouldn’t have been true royal wedding without plenty of dazzling gems on display, particularly in the form of a sparkling diamond tiara for the bride.

Upon her arrival at the chapel, eagle-eyed viewers and royal jewelry fans were quick to note that Markle had chosen the Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau Tiara, on loan from Queen Elizabeth, for the memorable occasion. The Queen Mary Diamond Bandeau Tiara, made in 1932, features a diamond brooch in the center (Meghan’s tiara has, in the past, been spotted with a sapphire in the center).

Meghan’s tiara, which topped her veil that paid tribute to all 53 countries in the Commonwealth through its flowers, featured a center brooch of 10 diamonds dating back to 1893, features a band of 11 sections of diamonds and platinum.

“The diamond bandeau was made for Queen Mary and specifically designed to accommodate the centre brooch,” a release about Meghan’s tiara said. “This brooch was given as a present to the then Princess Mary in 1893 by the County of Lincoln on her marriage to Prince George, Duke of York. The bandeau and the brooch were bequeathed by Queen Mary to The Queen in 1953. The Bride is wearing earrings and bracelet made by Cartier.”

Before finally debuting her ultimate wedding look, there was much speculation about which tiara she might select from the royal vault — or if she would design something entirely new. The tiara options most considered included the Spencer Tiara, the Strathmore Rose Tiara, the Cambridge Lover’s Know Tiara, Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara, the Lotus Flower Tiara, the Queen Mother’s Cartier Bandeau and a number of other more niche pieces, each rich in royal history.

Back in 2011, Kate Middleton opted for the Cartier Halo Scroll Tiara for her walk down the aisle to marry Prince William at Westminster Abbey. That tiara, however, was likely out of the running for Markle’s moment as it’s currently on display at a jewelry exhibition in Australia. Along with her instantly-iconic dress, it’s likely that Markle’s distinctive choice of headwear will inspire brides for many years to come.