The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, has a tradition of paying tribute to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, and grandmother-in-law through her choice of jewelry. This practice was evident during her recent engagement at The Design Museum in London, where she delivered the keynote speech at the Shaping Us National Symposium. For this occasion, the 41-year-old Princess shimmered in a pair of sapphire and diamond drop earrings that once belonged to Princess Diana’s personal collection. This thoughtful gesture not only honors the memory of her royal predecessors but also showcases the enduring legacy of their iconic style and the sentimental value attached to these precious heirlooms.
Princess Kate has showcased a fondness for these particular earrings, donning them on several notable occasions throughout the year. The earrings made an appearance during the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony in June, as well as at the Commonwealth Day Service held at Westminster Abbey in March. Her repeated choice to accessorize with these earrings highlights their versatility and her affinity for the elegant accessory.
The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, recently made a fashion statement by debuting a pair of sapphire and diamond earrings at the Trooping the Colour ceremony in 2022. This public appearance effectively put an end to a long-standing rumor regarding the provenance of these earrings.
For the past decade, Kate has been wearing a smaller pair of sapphire and diamond earrings, which were widely believed to have been fashioned from the same set that once belonged to Princess Diana. However, since the original earrings had not been seen since Diana’s passing, speculation persisted, despite Lauren Kiehna of The Court Jeweller blog consistently maintaining that the two pairs were distinct.
Kiehna explained the difference to PEOPLE magazine, stating, “The sapphires in Diana’s earrings are cabochons, and the sapphires in Kate’s smaller earrings are faceted. The claim has now been fully debunked as Kate has now worn the double cluster earrings.” By unveiling the larger double cluster earrings, Kate has effectively dispelled the long-standing rumor, providing clarity on the origins of her jewelry.
The Princess of Wales has been frequently wearing a pair of sapphire and diamond drop earrings, which were previously owned and worn by her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana. These earrings were part of a set that Diana wore on several occasions during the 1990s, including a visit to Canada in 1991, the cover of British Vogue in 1994, and the Met Gala in New York City in 1996.
Additionally, Kate Middleton wears a special sapphire ring every day, which holds a significant connection to Princess Diana. In 2010, Prince William proposed to Kate with the iconic 18-carat sapphire engagement ring that had belonged to his mother, Diana, when she was engaged to his father, King Charles.
By incorporating these sapphire pieces into her wardrobe, the Princess of Wales pays tribute to her late mother-in-law’s fashion legacy and keeps her memory alive through these sentimental jewels.
The use of sentimental gestures and fashion choices to honor and pay tribute to late Princess Diana has become a meaningful tradition for the British royal family, particularly for Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton. During his engagement interview with Kate, William explained his decision to propose with a ring featuring a blue stone surrounded by diamonds, which was strikingly similar to the earrings Kate inherited from her late mother-in-law, as a way of keeping Diana’s memory close.
Kate is known to frequently pay homage to Diana through her fashion and jewelry choices, often opting for the Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara, a sparkler that was famously a favorite of Diana’s, for state occasions. According to Bethan Holt, Fashion News and Features Director of The Daily Telegraph, Kate intentionally uses fashion as a positive way to pay tribute to Diana, showcasing the enduring influence and legacy of the late Princess.
Princess Kate, the Princess of Wales, has been paying tribute to her late grandmother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth, through her jewelry choices. Since the Queen’s passing in September 2022, Kate has worn several pieces from the late monarch’s collection on various occasions.
At the state funeral and committal service for Queen Elizabeth, Kate donned the Bahrain Pearl Drop Earrings paired with a four-strand pearl choker that previously belonged to the Queen. She also wore Queen Elizabeth’s trademark three-strand pearl necklace and pearl and diamond drop earrings during some of the funerary events.
More recently, at King Charles’ coronation in May, Kate honored both Queen Elizabeth and her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana. She sparkled in Diana’s South Sea Pearl Earrings and Queen Elizabeth’s George VI Festoon Necklace, with the latter concealed beneath her robes but visible in an official coronation portrait.
Through her thoughtful jewelry selections, Princess Kate has been paying homage to the two influential women in the royal family, preserving their legacies and honoring their memories.
Princess Kate paid a touching tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II by wearing several pieces from her jewelry collection during the Remembrance Day events over the weekend. On Saturday, at the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall, the Princess of Wales accessorized her outfit with Queen Elizabeth’s three-strand diamond necklace and a pair of diamond and pearl earrings. She attended the event alongside Prince William, King Charles, Queen Camilla, and other members of the royal family.
The following day, on Sunday, Princess Kate sported a statement pair of pearl earrings that Queen Elizabeth had previously worn to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Nigeria in 2003, according to the fan blog Couture and Royals. She donned these earrings for the solemn ceremony at The Cenotaph war memorial, where King Charles and Prince William laid wreaths to honor those who lost their lives or suffered during wartime conflicts.
By wearing these meaningful pieces from the late Queen’s jewelry collection, Princess Kate paid a heartfelt tribute to her grandmother-in-law’s legacy and demonstrated her respect for the Remembrance Day traditions.
Kate Middleton and Prince William attended The Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on November 11th. During the weekend’s events, Kate’s choice of pearl jewelry carried significant meaning. Pearls are closely associated with the late Queen Elizabeth II’s everyday style. According to Bethan Holt, author of “The Queen: 70 Years of Majestic Style,” pearls are one of the few jewelry items considered appropriate for mourning. They symbolize not only the mourning of a monarch but also the loss of a grandmother or great-grandmother. Kate’s decision to wear pearls was a poignant tribute to the Queen’s personal jewelry legacy.