The Countess of Derby celebrated her daughter’s special day by loaning her a tiara with plenty of regal history
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NEED TO KNOW
- Lady Henrietta Stanley, the daughter of the 19th Earl of Derby and the Countess of Derby, married Alexander ”Sasha” Reviakin
- The high-profile nuptials took place at Liverpool Cathedral, and the reception was held at the family seat of Knowsley Hall
- For the big day, the countess loaned her daughter the Derby Tiara, which was created in 1893 and worn at Queen Elizabeth’s coronation
Lady Henrietta Stanley — the daughter of Edward Stanley, the 19th Earl of Derby, and Caroline Stanley, the Countess of Derby — married Alexander ”Sasha” Reviakin sporting a regal headpiece.
For the big day on July 4, the countess, who was friends and schoolmates with the late Princess Diana, loaned her 29-year-old daughter the Derby Tiara, a stunning headpiece that she wore on her own wedding day in 1995. But its regal history goes back much further than that.
The Derby Tiara was created in 1890 for the Duchess of Devonshire. It features eleven angular palmettes in between lotus flowers, set throughout with cushion-shaped, rose- cut and circular-cut diamonds. It is nearly identical to the Devonshire Tiara, which was created in 1893 for the then-Duchess of Devonshire.
One of the tiara’s most notable appearances was at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953, where the 18th Countess, Caroline’s mother-in-law, was photographed wearing the stunning piece to accompany her traditional red robes.
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Caroline, 62, shared a series of photos from her daughter’s wedding on social media. The high-profile nuptials took place at Liverpool Cathedral, and the reception was held at the family seat of Knowsley Hall.
“A momentous occasion yesterday to see our daughter Hetty marry Sasha – 4th of July 2026 – the first family wedding to be held here for 160 years,” the countess captioned the pics, one of which shows her helping her daughter put on a diamond choker to match the stunning tiara. “It was a truly wonderful day surrounded by family and friends. More to follow with official pictures, but here’s a few snaps of our darling Hetty on her wedding day.”
While tiaras are usually reserved for very special occasions, the family might have reason to bring it out as soon as next year. In May, Caroline announced that Henrietta’s younger brother, Edward, Lord Derby, 28, was engaged.
“Huge congratulations to my son, Edward Stanley and the lovely Victoria Jooris on their engagement ❤️ I couldn’t be happier for them both! Victoria and Edward are to marry at home at @knowsleyhall in September 2027!” she shared on social media. “Naturally, I am absolutely delighted… and already emotionally preparing myself for hats, flowers, chaos, seating plans and tears. Very happy news for our family.”
Passed down through generations, tiaras are some of the most significant and treasured family heirlooms for royals and aristocrats, and a woman’s decision to wear one on her wedding day can be a meaningful moment.
On her 2011 wedding day to Prince William, Kate Middleton wore the Cartier Halo Tiara, which was loaned to her by Queen Elizabeth herself. The piece was created for Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, by her husband, King George VI, and was also worn by Princess Margaret on Queen Elizabeth’s coronation day.
Kate’s decision to wear the Cartier Halo Tiara for the first and only time (so far) on her wedding day was “a clear signal that she wants her royal role to be patterned after that of the late Queen Mother,” according to the blog The Court Jeweller.
