Tiara Thursday: The Meander Tiara

Let's talk about the most distinctive piece from Princess Anne's jewel collection: the Meander Tiara.

This is an all-diamond piece featuring large Greek key designs. The central element is a laurel wreath surrounding a large brilliant cut diamond, and there are honeysuckle motifs on the side.

The Greek design is appropriate since this tiara belonged to Princess Andrew of Greece and Denmark (above, born Princess Alice of Battenberg), mother of Prince Phillip. Alice gave the tiara to her daughter-in-law, Queen Elizabeth, as a wedding gift. The Queen never wore it publicly. Personally, I think it would have looked quite out of place on the Queen, given her unchanging hairstyle.

In 1972, the Queen gave the tiara to Princess Anne, and it's been on frequent display ever since.

The design of this tiara is quite modern, and far from girlish or romantic. As such, it's an excellent match for the Princess Royal. It suits her perfectly, right down to the way it nests in her famous hairdo.

Personally, I'd love to see this one on Zara. I'd rather she wear this than something from her grandmother, or one of Anne's other pieces. Like her mother, she has the right personality to carry off the design. And I'm telling you, ladies like that are few and far between.

What do you think?

UPDATE: I got my wish! Zara Phillips borrowed this tiara from her mother for her wedding to Mike Tindall on July 30, 2011 in Edinburgh.

Photos: Munn/BigPicturesPhoto.com/Daily Mail/Getty Images/Daylife