Kate Middleton wears pearl necklace worn by Princess Diana, the Queen.
When it came to her jewellery, the princess opted for Queen Elizabeth II's four-row pearl and diamond choker necklace, in a fitting tribute to the late monarch. Kate first wore the poignant piece at Prince Philip's funeral in April 2021 and again at the Queen's funeral in September 2023.
Also in Queen Elizabeth's collection, the four-string pearl choker has been worn by both Princess Diana and Kate Middleton for official events. Here, Diana wears the necklace at a state banquet in 1982, and Kate shows it off at a celebration of the Queen and Prince Philip's 70th wedding anniversary in 2017.
Princess Kate paid homage to the late monarch by donning the George VI Festoon necklace, which was originally made for then-Princess Elizabeth in 1950 at the request of her father, King George VI. The stunning piece includes strands of diamonds. Another special set of jewelry that honors a passed royal family member?
The sapphire and diamond engagement ring
Arguably the most famous piece in Kate's jewelry collection is her sapphire and diamond engagement ring, which previously belonged to Princess Diana.
Meghan has been seen wearing several pieces that once belonged to her late mother-in-law Princess Diana. From her spellbinding engagement ring, to diamond sets and vintage watches, several of the former Princess of Wales' jewels have been gifted to Meghan by her husband, Prince Harry.
If tradition prevails, most of the Queen's personal jewels will be passed on to King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Given that her late mother-in-law Princess Diana frequently wore the tiara, it obviously holds sentimental value for the Duchess of Cambridge, but the piece also has a distinguished royal history. Sometimes referred to as the Cambridge Lover's Knot, the tiara is, in fact, a replica of an earlier royal sparkler.
Kate's four-strand pearl necklace with a diamond clasp, known as the Four-Row Japanese Pearl Choker, was given to the Queen from Japan in the 1970s, Yahoo! News reported.
However, the tiara most worn by Kate was Princess Diana's favorite, the Lover's Knot. She has been seen wearing it on several occasions, the first being at the 2015 annual diplomatic reception, and then wearing the item for the same event for three consecutive years.
After the princess' death, most of her personal jewelry was inherited by her two sons Princes William and Harry, with pieces loaned to her during her lifetime being returned to Queen Elizabeth II, where they are most likely to have been inherited by King Charles in 2022.
The sapphire cluster was one of Diana's personally-owned pieces of jewelry, so it was almost certainly inherited by her sons after her death in 1997.
In Spencer, Diana is horrified (though seemingly unsurprised) to discover her husband gave her the same pearl necklace he gave to his then-mistress, Camilla Parker-Bowles. There's no evidence to suggest this gift-giving snafu ever happened (or that she ate them at the dinner table).
Princess Kate arrived at Westminster Abbey in the Bahrain Pearl Drop Earrings and four strand pearl choker with center diamond clasp, both from the Queen's personal collection.
In addition to selecting all-black attire, it is tradition (although not compulsory) for female members of the royal family to also wear black veils for state funerals. Known as the mourning veil, the piece is both a practical and symbolic item that signifies sorrow.
Appropriate funeral jewelry to wear with a black dress or suit includes elegant and subtle pieces. Pearls can be a good option. Small sterling silver, gold, or jeweled pieces are also usually a fine choice if they are not distracting. Religious jewelry, such as a simple cross, would also be appropriate.
“The Queen Consort, really, gets first choice of the Queen's jewelry. And after that is Princess of Wales, of course, Kate.
Meghan Markle wore pearl and diamond earrings that were a gift from Queen Elizabeth at her funeral.
Camilla Wore Queen Victoria's Diamond Brooch at Elizabeth's Funeral.
Long story short, the tiara was linked to scandal, and so the Queen thought it best not for Meghan to wear it for fear of bad luck.
While the Princess of Wales has worn the Queen Mary's Lover's Knot and Lotus Flower for previous state occasions, Camilla has chosen the larger Delhi Durbar and Greville Tiara for diplomatic dinners.
The only women who are allowed to place them on their heads are those born into the Royal Family or married to someone who is. They also are worn to formal events after 6:00 pm (those earlier in the day require hats), but perhaps the most monumental time a royal woman will wear a tiara is on her wedding day.
As for why the Queen left Meghan out of her inheritance, Radar Online's source speculated that it could be due to either “practicality” or Harry and Meghan's drama with the British royal family in the years leading up to the Queen's death.
They stay safeguarded at the Tower of London in safekeeping for the nation, and when one monarch dies, the crown jewels are immediately passed to their heir.” So the Queen's former crown, sceptre and orb now belong to her son, King Charles III.
Clothing that was of less historical significance is likely set to be given to family members — and her granddaughters and great-granddaughters could be in for a windfall. “Items from the Queen's personal collection would have been passed to her family members with each chosen personally by Her Majesty.