When the Princess of Wales steps out at a ball, reception or regal affair, her outfits are meticulously inspected top to bottom. Royal watchers pore over every detail with a fine tooth comb and examine every sartorial speck and glamorous glint. From Kate’s hair bobs to her bracelets and bodysuits as well as blinged out belts, every ornamental piece is identified, scrutinized and publicized.
Most of Kate’s jewels and gems are quickly sourced and her latest dazzling bling and baubles are almost immediately identified. As many of the princess’ pieces belong to the royal collection, and her most sparkling statement jewels are treasures gifted to her via royal channels, the online appraisers quickly ID her many diamonds and pearls and their opulent origins.
We’ve discussed Kate’s mystery jewelry before and previously focused on her ruby earring and necklace set seen in Poland, her aquamarine jewels worn for the Queen’s 90th birthday and her chunky citrine cocktail ring.
While she’s clearly donned many sparkling heirlooms courtesy of the Crown, a few of her most gorgeous gems remain mysterious. Often called ‘UFOs’ or Unidentified Fashion Objects, Kate has worn more than a few puzzling pieces and their royal riddles have yet to be solved.
Here are 8 of Kate Middleton’s Most Mysterious Unidentified Jewelry Pieces:
1. Reception Ring and Earrings
In December 2019 at a Diplomatic Corp Reception just before the holidays, Her Royal Highness stepped out in some serious ice. Wearing not only the Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot tiara with its swinging pearls and rows of glittering diamonds, the British beauty also upped her princess game and donned the Queen’s Nizam of Hyderabad necklace worth an estimated 80 million dollars. But the mom of three didn’t leave any crumbs. She also opted for flashy diamond chandelier earrings and a matching marquis cluster cocktail ring. The ring and earrings remain unidentified.
2. Pave Post and Teardrop Dangle Earrings
Sending royal watchers swooning, the princess graced the red in May 2012 at a London Olympic gala concert in one of her most iconic looks to date — the Aspen gown from Jenny Packham. With an ethereal flowing chiffon skirt, emerald lace bodice and sheer back embellished with Swarovski crystals and a matching teal ribbon beaded belt, Kate looked every inch the royal rockstar. Still, Kate’s ensemble wasn’t all easy to decipher; the princess’ swinging silver earrings with their iridescent crystal rhinestones were never formally identified. (Many royal bloggers believe that judging by the back posts and ear stoppers that the pair are actually costume jewelry).
3. Diamond Drop Earrings
At the Queen’s Sovereigns’ luncheon in 2012 when the princess was new to the rigors of royal life, she donned a pale pink pleated knee-length dress by Emilia Wickstead. Appearing calm and confident in her newbie royal role, the princess was unfazed by the palace party and subsequent meeting of 24 kings and queens from different nations. For the fancy affair, Kate wore diamond and white gold drop earrings that have never been found.
4. Jade Beaded Gold Dangle Earrings
In April 2016, the princess was in high spirits as she watched a dance and musical performance celebrating Assamese New Year while visiting India on tour with Prince William. For the outing, Kate wore gold earrings with dangling jade colored semi-precious stones. The accessories appeared in Kate’s wardrobe pre-marriage sometime in 2006.
5. Sapphire and Ruby Floral Spray Earrings
Kate has stepped out in these earrings on multiple occasions. While once unidentified, the earrings are now believed to be from the Queen’s collection and are designed with pink and blue sapphires, rubies and diamonds. The princess recently wore the floral stud earrings for the Platinum Jubilee Pageant with a pink Stella McCartney Wrap Front Twill Midi Dress. Plus, Kate has also worn the matching flower bouquet brooch and donned the pin for Commonwealth Day in 2018.
6. Black Chandelier Earrings
These striking statement earrings have been in Kate’s jewelry keepsakes even before joining the royal family. With a slight bohemian flair, the long dandling earrings were perfect for wearing to the Queen’s 2015 Christmas luncheon and again in 2016 to a garden party in India paired with a Temperley London set. (The princess wore the designer’s Delphia black crocheted crop top and pink silk organza maxi skirt.) Despite similarities to a pair of chandelier earrings from Accessorize, the exact designer of the earrings remains unknown.
7. Pink Teardrop Gemstone Earrings
Though they look similar to a style from Kiki McDonough, these exquisite pale pink gemstone earrings have an unknown origin story. Kate has stepped out in the pretty blush colored (thought to be morganite or pink quartz) earrings with a large pear shaped center stone surrounded by diamonds on multiple occasions. She first wore the hefty stone earrings to a 100 Women in Hedge Funds Gala in 2011 and again at the 2017 BAFTA Awards. More recently, she donned the glittery accessories for King Charles’ 70th birthday celebration in a custom pink Marchesa gown.
8. Diamond Cluster Earrings
The princess stepped out in these diamond stud earrings for Commonwealth Day at Westminster Abbey in March 2019. She paired her mysterious diamond earrings with a stylish red tailored military coat by Catherine Walker.
