The late Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral was a somber occasion, but it also provided an opportunity for Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, to pay tribute to the monarch in a touching way.
While adhering to the traditional all-black attire, Kate added a personal touch by wearing a necklace and earrings that belonged to her late grandmother-in-law, Princess Diana.
According to a spokesperson for the Sussexes, the drop earrings were a gift from the late Queen herself.
Royal watchers identified them as 1095 Akoya pearl and diamond earrings in white gold from Birks.
Interestingly, it was revealed that Meghan Markle had also worn pearl and diamond studs during her first solo outing with the Queen, which were a gift from Queen Elizabeth.
However, it was noted that these earrings were not the famous Queen Mary’s button earrings.
Queen Mary never wore earrings this small, and Queen Elizabeth continued to wear them until her passing.
It is worth mentioning that all items belonging to Queen Mary are now part of the royal collection, and Meghan does not possess any of the royal jewels.
Some eagle-eyed observers of royal jewelry noticed the resemblance between the earrings worn by Meghan and the replicas of Queen Mary’s button earrings.
However, it was clarified that Meghan did not receive any real items from past generations of the royal family.
The palace wanted to avoid any potential controversies or attempts by Meghan to merge her own jewelry with Queen Elizabeth’s.
In contrast, Kate wore a stunning four-row Japanese pearl choker, accompanied by Bahrain pearl drop earrings, and a wide-brimmed black hat.
The choker features four rows of pearls with a central diamond clasp in a curved shape, adorned with rows of diamonds on each side.
This particular necklace has a significant history, as it was loaned to Kate by Queen Elizabeth for the first time in 2017.
It was also famously loaned to Princess Diana during a state visit in 1982.
The Bahrain pearl drop earrings, which are part of Queen Elizabeth II’s royal collection, added an elegant touch to Kate’s ensemble.
They feature round diamond studs with baguette-cut diamonds, typical of the late 1940s, and pearls at the drop.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Kate has worn this combination of jewelry.
She previously wore the necklace and earrings together for Prince Philip’s funeral last year, as well as to celebrate the Queen’s 70th wedding anniversary.
It is evident that Kate associates these pieces of jewelry with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, and the love they shared.
Throughout the mourning period, she has used accessories to honor her grandmother-in-law.
During her visit to Sandringham with Prince William, Kate wore a pair of pearl earrings previously owned by Queen Elizabeth II, along with a simple cross necklace.
Pearls have been a recurring choice for Kate, symbolizing mourning, as she wore a pearl necklace while viewing the late monarch’s casket and donned the Queen’s own pearl and diamond brooch for the coffin procession.
In conclusion, Kate Middleton’s choice of jewelry at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral was a poignant tribute to the late monarch.
By wearing pieces that held sentimental value and historical significance, she honored the Queen’s legacy and her own connection to the royal family.
Through her thoughtful selection of accessories, Kate demonstrated her respect and admiration for Queen Elizabeth II, ensuring her memory lives on.