Since Kate Middleton became the new princess of waled this September, she has been made sure to pay her tribute to her mother-in-law- particularly when it comes to her jewellery. During the official mourning period following queen Elizabeth’s II’s death, royal Kate wore Diana’s Collingwood pearl earrings as well as a four standard pearl choker that has been loaned to the former princess of Wales for her majesty’s funeral.
Here are some of the other pieces that the princess has worn…
1. The sapphire and diamond engagement ring.
The most famous piece in Kates jewellery collection is her sapphire and diamond engagement ring, which previously belonged to princess Diana. After the then prince Charles asked her to marry him, Diana hand-picked the ring herself which features a 12- carat Ceylon sapphire encircled with a halo of diamonds set in 18- carat white gold- from royal jewellers Garred back in 1981. Following this, prince William proposed to Kate using his mother’s engagement ring in 2010 he said “it is very special to me and Kate is very special to me now as well” he said following this “ it is only right the two are put together. It is my way of making sure my mother didn’t miss out today”.
2. The lovers knot tiara
This was one of princess Diana’s favourites because the knots of diamonds that are historically a symbol of unbreakable love. This was originally commissioned from Garrard for Queen Mary in 1917. The tiara also features 19 hanging pearls and a row of diamonds (which were originally pearls) at the top, set in silver and gold. Queen Elizabeth inherited the tiara from her mother, before loaning it to princess Diana in 1981. The new princess of Wales has worn the lovers knot to many high-profile events, including at a state banquet for king Willem- alexander and queen maxima of the Netherlands in 2018.
3. The diamond and south sea pearl earrings.
Princess Diana wore her diamond and South Sea pearl earrings- which features a horseshoe design at the top and intricately- linked marquise- cut diamonds beneath- on a number of occasions, including during a visit to Australia in 1996. Kate was first seen in them at the BAFTA awards in 2019, but with smaller pearls attached.
4. The four- row pearl and diamond choker.
Made by Garrard using pearls gifted to the queen by the Japanese government, this four- row pearled choker- featuring a large diamond clasp at the centre- was loaned to princess Diana by her majesty for a state banquet in honour of queen Beatrix of the Netherlands in 1982. Kate wore the pearl choker for the first time at a dinner marking the Queen and prince Phillips 7-th wedding anniversary in 2017.
5. The three- row pearl and diamonds bracelet.
Princess Diana’s three- row pearled bracelet, designed by Nigel Milne, had a special connection to one of her patronages: birth right, a charity that was originally set up to stop women and babies dying in pregnancy and childbirth. The bracelet, which features pearl and diamond spacers, was part of a three- piece collection created in 1988 to raise money for the many charities that Diana was included in. The new Princess of Wales has worn this beautiful bracelet on several occasions, in including during a visit to Jamaica in May.
6. The Collingwood pearl earrings.
These 3 pearl drop earrings were gifted to Diana from Collingwood jewellers. The earrings hang from two round diamonds at the top and three rows of smaller diamonds underneath, these were famously worn for the then princess of Wales going away outfit, following her wedding to Charles in 1981. The Collingwood pearl earrings are a favourite of Kates too, with the duchess wearing them in two of her 40th birthday portraits taken by Palo Roversi in November 2021 and unveiled in January.
7. The prince of Wales feathers brooch.
Since becoming the princess of Wales, Kate debuted the prince of Wales feathers brooch for south African president Cyril Ramaphosa’s state visit in November 2022. This piece features three ostrich feathers and a coronet in the centre, then surrounded by a series of diamonds and emeralds with an emerald drop hanging down below. Princess Diana wad photographed wearing the piece as a pendent at a number of high- profile events, while Camilla, the now queen consort, has also worn the brooch in the past.
8. Queen Mary emerald choker.
At the earth shot prize awards ceremony in Boston December 2022, Kate matched her rented green solace London dress with an emerald choker that wad previously seen on Diana. It was first worn by queen Mary at the Delhi Dubar in 1911, which marked the proclamation of king George V and Mary as Emperor and Empress of India, the choker was commissioned from royal jeweller Garrard using emeralds gifted by the ladies of India. Diana famously wore the art- deco style piece as a headband during a tour of Australia in 1985.
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