Royal tiara is jewel in the crown of simple elegance

In wearing it to secure her flowing lace veil, she confounded expectations that she would shun the traditional tiara and opt instead for a head-dress of flowers,

The little known 1936 Cartier “halo” tiara formed a band of upturned almost tear-drop effect sparkling diamond scrolls, echoed perfectly by her tasteful diamond drop earrings, which were a wedding day gift from her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton.

Created by Robinson Pelham, they were diamond-set stylised oak leaves with a pear-shaped diamond set drop and a pave set diamond acorn suspended in the centre.

They were inspired by the Middleton family’s new coat of arms, which includes acorns and oak leaves, and were created to echo and complement the tiara.

The earrings were the bride’s “something new”.

For her “something blue”, a blue ribbon was sewn into the interior of her dress, while her “something old” was the traditional Carrickmacross craftsmanship used to create the bridal gown.

Mrs Middleton meanwhile wore a tourmaline and diamond pendant and matching earrings designed and made especially for her.

Two gold stick pins, one with a single gold acorn at the head and the other with an oak leaf, were also worn respectively by the bride’s father and her brother James Middleton.

Kate’s choice of jewellery was hailed as “simple and effective”, which was no doubt the look she was aiming for.

Jeweller Andrew Hinds, director of F Hinds Ltd, was struck by the surprise the bride sprung with her tiara.

“I was quite impressed because it wasn’t one of the ones people had been talking about but it was a nice delicate one,” he said.

“It still feels very modern and it fitted with everything else because it was all quite simple. With the dress she had, she didn’t need to wear anything around her neck.

“It was all simple and effective.”

And if the style of Kate’s earrings was already a fashionable one, it can only grow more so now.

“It’s quite a popular look at the moment, with the little drop inside,” Mr Hinds said.

“I can see why she went for them. It worked well because again it was simple.”

The Queen and the Duchess of Cornwall meanwhile chose the traditional special occasion adornment of pearls, which are said to flatter mature skin tones, with Camilla opting for her trademark pearl rope necklace.