Kate Middleton.Photo: Dan Charity - WPA Pool/Getty
Kate Middletonslipped on something special for thecoronation.
The Princess of Wales, 41, honoredQueen ElizabethandPrincess Dianaat the crowning ceremony of King Charles and Queen Camilla through her jewelry.
Kate also wore theSouth Sea Pearl Earrings, which belonged to her late mother-in-law.
Princess Kate has worn Princess Diana’s diamond and pearl South Sea Pearl Earrings before, including at the most recentRemembrance Sundayservice. Diana often reached for the sparkling set for formal events through the 1990s, thoughVoguereports that Kate tweaked the pair (which she’sworn before). According to the outlet, she changed out the baubles for smaller, pear-shaped gems instead of the larger, circular pearls Diana was pictured in.
Kate has also previously honored her late-mother-law through fashion in the past, puttingher own stylish spinon some ofPrincess Diana’s most memorable looks and wearing hericonic sapphire engagement ringsincePrince Williamproposed in 2010.
Kate also favors the Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara for state occasions — a sparkler that wasfamously a favoriteof Diana’s.
“I think we have seen lots of examples where the reference is very intentional and I think that Kate uses fashion to pay tribute to Diana in a very positive way,” Bethan Holt, Fashion News and Features Director ofTheDaily Telegraph, previously told PEOPLE.
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Holt pointed out that it wasPrince Williamwho memorably suggested the idea for Diana’s charity gown auction in 1997, noting that William “has always been very conscious of his mother as a style icon.”
“I think that William and Kate between them might have decided that actually on some occasions it’s a really nice thing for Kate to reference the fact that Diana is still a fashion muse today and to do that through her own clothes,” the editor said.
“For a few years at the beginning of her marriage, she was very tentative, and we didn’t see her doing it very much,” Holt said of the deliberate tributes. “As she’s become more confident in her own style, knowing what works for her, she’s then been able to incorporate those Diana moments into her own wardrobe and she’s done it in a way that really makes sense.”
Kate Middleton, Prince William, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.David Fisher/Shutterstock
Although it wasn’t very visible under her robe, Kate also wore a necklace that belonged toQueen Elizabeth.
The glittering George VI Festoon Necklace features three strands of diamonds and was created in 1950 at the commission of King George VI for his eldest daughter, then-Princess Elizabeth.Queen Elizabethreached for the piece for state dinners and special occasions throughout her record-breaking reign.
Princess Kate has worn her grandmother-in-law’s jewelry many times through the years, paying homage several times since the Queen’s death in September of 2022. The Princess of Wales woreQueen Elizabeth’spearl and diamond drop earringsandtrademark three-strand pearl necklacefor a few of the funerary events and paired theBahrain Pearl Drop Earringswith afour-strand pearl chokerthat previously belonged toQueen Elizabethfor the sovereign’s state funeral and committal service.
“Pearls are one of the very few jewelry items you can wear in mourning and are inextricably linked withQueen Elizabethand her personal jewelry legacy,” Bethan Holt, author ofThe Queen: 70 Years of Majestic Style,previously told PEOPLE. “It’s a symbol of mourning a monarch but also a grandmother or great-grandmother.”
Princess Kate had also worn pieces from Queen Elizabeth’s jewelry box forother major occasions, memorably beginning with the Cartier Halo Tiara for herroyal weddingtoPrince Williamin 2011. Through the years, Queen Elizabeth lent Kate everything from herMaple Leaf Broochtoemerald tassel earringsandEdinburgh Wedding Bracelet, a sweet engagement gift fromPrince Philip.
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The Princess of Wales joined members of the royal family at Westminster Abbey on Saturday for the historic crowning ceremony of her father-in-law.
Prince Williamand Princess Kate both wore formal robes and mantels for the historic occasion.
Prince William and Kate Middleton.Phil Noble - WPA Pool/Getty
Princess Kate completed her jewelry look with a Jess Collett x Alexander McQueen headpiece with silver bullion, crystal and silver threadwork three-dimensional leaf embroidery — andPrincess Charlottematched her in asimilar headtopper!
Ahead of the coronation, there was much speculation about if Princess Kate wouldwear a tiarafor the crowning ceremony. While women in the royal family traditionally wore sparkly head-toppers forprevious coronations, PEOPLE understands the decision for today’s coronation was fluid as recently as six weeks ago.
source: people.com
