ROYALTY passes the crown down

THE QUEEN MOTER 1930
I think it's amazing when a family treasures their estate from the day it begins.  American culture is far from royal, we have powerful political families, or Hollywood families that only cherish money and image.  I guess it's better than nothing, but money seems more harmful than it is helpful within our culture.  If our mothers would pass down unconditional love and family jewels, and fathers would pass down values of a solid family and on, then we'd be on to something.  Unfortunately here in the states we teach our families how to make money but not how to turn it into value, and make it matter outside of shopping for expensive gifts.  We're stuck on image in the states, while here in Europe not just anyone will wear these family jewels, they mean more than bling.

Cue the collective squeals of joy: Kate Middleton finally wore a tiara again!

The Duchess of Cambridge attended the Diplomatic Reception on Tuesday night, rolling up to Buckingham Palace in a Bentley wearing a sparkly diamond and pearl tiara. A bespoke Alexander McQueen dress along with matching earrings complemented the royal jewels and gave us major déjà vu. The last time Kate stepped out in a tiara was for her wedding in 2011, when she wore a dress by the very same designer in the very same color (naturally).

The jeweled crown, thought to be the Papyrus Tiara purchased by King George VI in 1936, was reportedly loaned to Kate by Queen Elizabeth II -- honestly, who else has tiaras on hand? -- and originally belonged to the Queen's mother before being lent to Princess Margaret, the Queen's sister. While such a flashy, albeit beautiful, show ofher princess status isn't really part of Kate's MO, tiaras are actually obligatory for state banquets. So Kate basically had no choice but to look princess-y.  And we couldn't be happier.

          PRINCES MARGARET 1990

KATE MIDDLETON  2011