Royals

Kate Middleton's Jewelry At Queen Elizabeth's Funeral Had So Much Meaning

The Princess of Wales wore not one, but two, family heirlooms.

by Amber Rambharose
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Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, has been honoring Queen Elizabeth II through the period of mourning for the late monarch by wearing small, tasteful pieces of jewelry once owned by the queen. At a reception on Sept. 17, she wore one of the queen’s pearl necklaces.

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Middleton continued to pay her respects to the queen in this way on Sept. 19. At the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey, Middleton’s mourning clothes included jewelry from the royal collection.

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Upon arrival, Middleton’s pearl and diamond earrings could be seen under her mourning veil, a traditional accessory worn by royal women during periods of mourning.

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Middleton has been seen in these earrings before. She also wore them to Prince Philip’s funeral on April 17, 2021. The earrings had special significance on both occasions as they formerly belonged to Queen Elizabeth and are made from pearls presented to the Queen as a wedding gift in 1947.

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The four-strand pearl necklace Middleton wore to the state funeral is part of the royal collection and was often worn by Queen Elizabeth II.

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The queen wore this necklace to an official state occasion in Bangladesh in 1983.

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It appears that this necklace might be one from which the duchess draws strength in times of mourning. She also wore the necklace to Prince Philip’s funeral in April 2021.

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Given the sadness of the occasion, it’s especially touching that Middleton chose to honor Queen Elizabeth’s memory and memories of happier times with her choice of jewelry.

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