While most often the Princess of Wales steps out for royal engagements with demure and dainty gold hoops and simple chain necklaces, she does have exceptionally luxe and lavish jewelry pieces in her royal jewelry chest. From her Nizam of Hyderabad bib necklace with an impressive 50 diamonds to her oversized Morganite oval drop earrings surrounded by a halo of white diamonds to her sparkly sapphire engagement ring estimated at worth more than a half a million dollars and at least three platinum tiaras in her collection — the princess has plenty of pricey and beautiful baubles in her stunning royal jewelry box.
Here are 10 of Kate Middleton’s Most Lavish and Expensive Royal Jewels:
- Nizam of Hyderabad Necklace
Worth upwards of 80 million dollars, Kate’s glittery statement necklace could pay a King’s ransom. The Cartier designed bib choker necklace in platinum features 38 diamonds and a drop pendant with an additional 13 emerald-cut diamonds assembled in a floral motif. The luxurious statement necklace was a gift to Queen Elizabeth on her wedding day from Asaf Jah VII and has remained one of the most expensive pieces in Kate’s jewelry chest not to mention the most expensive piece of royal jewelry in the world. The stunning pear shape detachable diamond pendant at the tail of the necklace is surrounded by swirls of magnificent brilliant cut diamonds and the piece is closed with an oval diamond clasp.
2. Queen Mary Emerald Choker
Worn for the first time at the Earthshot Prize Awards, Princess Kate donned a glossy green choker from the late Princess Diana’s jewelry vault. Worth an estimated 20 million dollars, the princess paired the emerald necklace with a rented Solace London column dress in a bold neon green. Lady Diana loved to accessorize with the opulent piece and frequently wore the choker as a necklace paired with an assortment of glittery tiaras. In fact, Diana was so enamored with the collar choker that she once wore it as a headband.
3. Cartier Halo Tiara
For her graduation from commoner to royal on her wedding day, the princess wore this diadem made from 739 brilliant cut diamonds. On loan from Queen Elizabeth’s priceless collection, the wavy shaped crown reportedly gave off so much shine it looked like an angel’s halo, thus its moniker. Originally a gift to the Queen from her mother for her 18th birthday, the stunning headpiece is worth an estimated 1.5 million dollars.
4. Mappin & Webb Earrings and Necklace
While not the most ostentatious or showy set in her royal accessory closet, Kate’s Mappin & Webb Empress Diamond Carriage earrings and coordinating pendant necklace are worth more than a few cents. The matching floral motif diamond necklace and earrings designed in white gold are worth an estimated $8500 as a set. The princess first debuted the earrings and necklace for Princess Charlotte’s christening in July 2015.
5. Morganite Diamond Drop Earrings
Arguably one of her most splendid and stunning statement stones is found in Kate’s impressively large pale pink pendant earrings. The chunky pear shape earrings feature blush colored stones set in yellow gold and surrounded with white diamonds. Worn for romantic occasions like sister Pippa Middleton’s wedding to James Matthews, the morganite gem represents unconditional love and romance. Kate’s glittery earrings are thought to have been gifted to the princess and are valued at more than $5000; the stunning pink pair recently reappeared at the Jordan wedding of Prince Al Hussein.
6. Van Cleef & Arpels Necklace and Earrings
For the most elegant engagements and starry soirees, the princess wears this clover chain necklace featuring 6 mother-of-pearl quatrefoil motifs. Considered a timeless symbol of good luck, the asymmetric necklace and coordinating earrings were designed by the famous French jeweler in 2006. The luxury jewelry company counts Queen Camilla as a fan; the reigning royal has colorful Van Cleef clover pieces in green, blue and pearl in her royal jewelry box. Kate’s dazzling set is worth an estimated $17,400.
7. Mystery Emerald Suite
For the 2018 BAFTA Awards the princess was a green goddess in a dark green dress by Jenny Packham. Wearing one of her most mysterious emerald and diamond earring sets, the brunette beauty was glowing on the red carpet. The provenance of Kate’s dark and moody green gems remains shrouded in secrecy. Gifted, and not on loan, Kate’s square cut emerald jewelry pieces are surrounded by a border of shiny diamonds. The princess owns the modern long drop earrings that can be converted to square studs as well as a matching emerald pendant necklace and emerald bracelet. The estimated cost of the suite is unknown but it would be safe to speculate the trio is worth upwards of two million dollars.
8. Blue Topaz Earrings
For a James Bond movie premiere in 2015, the princess wore some of her most extravagant gems. The ravishing royal donned a floaty and ethereal sheer blue Jenny Packham dress with a see-through back and paired the elegant gown with chandelier drop earrings made of five teardrop shaped blue topaz stones. The sparklers are reportedly worth an estimated $18,000.
9. Greville Ruby & Diamond Floral Bandeau Necklace
Presented to the Queen as a wedding gift, this beautiful necklace made of tiny diamond flowers and bright red rubies remains one of Princess Kate’s most lavish loans. It has a distinctive V-shape ideal for pairing with low cut dresses and big ballgowns, plus the stunning statement piece has a large pendant drop. Kate wore the necklace valued at more than half a million dollars for a Spanish state banquet in July 2017. Wearing a pale pink lace Marchesa, the princess paired the piece with two more priceless royal heirlooms — the Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara (worth an estimated 1.3 million) and Princess Diana’s Collingwood Pearl earrings (worth an estimated $40,000).
10. Various Diamond Bracelets
While most people are fascinated with Kate’s diamond encrusted tiaras and brilliant dazzling diamond necklaces, Kate’s most priceless jewels can actually be found on her wrists. For instance, Kate wore a bright red sequin Packham with Queen Mary’s Diamond Bar Choker Bracelet (Queen Mary’s Chain Link Bracelet) worth $345,000 to a state dinner in October 2015. For extra bling, she paired the exquisite bracelet with the Queen’s Wedding Gift Bracelet which was designed from diamonds in a tiara that had belonged to Prince Philip’s mother, Princess Andrew of Greece and Denmark.
