In the short time that she's been the Duchess, Kate Middleton has already become quite the fashion icon. And, yesterday, she made yet another fashion statement when she donned an heirloom tiara for the first time!


The Duchess -- who gave birth to the future King of England, Prince George, a few months ago -- appeared at a white-tie diplomatic function at Buckingham Palace wearing the Lotus Flower Tiara, according to the Los Angeles Times (via The Daily Mail). She paired the tiara with a fashionable Alexander McQueen dress.


Kensington Palace confirmed that the tiara once belonged to Princess Margaret -- the sister of Queen Elizabeth II -- and it's currently a part of the Queen's private collection. They were loaned to the Duchess strictly for the occasion.

According to E! News, the tiara has a long and storied history in the House of Windsor. Garrard Jewelers originally created the headpiece as a necklace, and the same company turned the necklace into a tiara at the behest of Queen Elizabeth I (a/k/a The Queen Mother) in the 1920's. The last time the tiara was worn in public on anyone outside of Princess Margaret was Serena Stanhope -- Margaret loaned the tiara to her when she married Margaret's son, the Viscount Linley. Aside from the diamonds, the tiara is adorned with a large number of pearls.


The Queen has also loaned the Duchess a pair of diamond chandelier earrings, which she has worn during her North American tour. And, of course, the Duchess is most famous for wearing the late Princess Diana's engagement ring as her own.

Check out the video of the Duchess wearing the tiara below!