The Princess of Wales is most inclined to raid her jewelry armoire for petite pearls, simple gold pendant necklaces and cuff bracelets with glass stones. Yet, despite her affinity for classic jewelry and understated accessories — the brunette beauty still manages to amp up the wow factor in her ensembles with heirloom ornaments.
In keeping with royal tradition, Kate wears the Queen’s glittery gems for special occasions and important events in the royal calendar.
The late monarch reportedly had a jewelry collection consisting of over 300 items including 98 brooches, 46 necklaces, 37 bracelets, 34 pairs of earrings, 15 rings, 16 tiaras and more than a dozen watches. Thus, these necklaces are especially significant as the princess has been extremely selective with regard to borrowing the Crown jewels.
Here are 6 Times Kate Middleton Wore the Queen’s Necklaces:
1. Nizam of Hyderabad Necklace
Thought to be the most expensive piece of royal jewelry in the world, this platinum necklace is encrusted with 38 shimmering diamonds. The sparkler was a wedding present to the Queen from Nizam of Hyderabad Asaf Jah VII on the occasion of her official engagement to Prince Philip. The necklace is valued around 85 million dollars.
Considered one of the most prestigious and legendary accessories in the late Queen’s collection, this dramatic piece boasts a long chain of 38 sparkling diamonds, a double-drop pendant with 13 emerald-cut diamonds and a pear-shaped drop diamond at the center.
Personally selected by the Queen herself, the entire Nizam suite was created by Cartier; the parure includes a bracelet, tiara and the stunning statement necklace. (The entire set contains around 300 diamonds in total). The Queen often wore the necklace for official palace portraits as well as for photographs that appeared on postage stamps until 1971.
The Princess of Wales has worn the necklace with an inky blue Jenny Packham gown in February 2014 at the National Portrait Gallery and at a Diplomatic reception while clad in a black velvet Alexander McQueen evening gown accessorized with the Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara.
2. Four Row Japanese Pearl Choker
A timeless multi-strand pearl choker, this glamorous necklace is illuminated by rows of illustrious freshwater pearls. Classic and timeless, the British royal family has been partial to pearl chokers for over a century.
The graduated cultured pearl necklace has a layered effect which makes the piece more alluring and elegant. Crafted from the finest high-quality Japanese pearls gifted from the government to the Queen, the choker was commissioned by the former monarch who enlisted royal jeweler Garrard to construct the one-of-a-kind accessory.
Princess Diana wore the choker necklace for a special dinner during the Dutch State Visit in November 1992.
Today, Princess Kate has donned the choker with a unique diamond clasp on five occasions — including Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s 70th wedding anniversary dinner in November 2017, Prince Philip’s funeral in April 2021, the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, the Festival of Remembrance in November 2022 and the National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication in Edinburgh, Scotland in July 2023.
3. Greville Ruby and Diamond Bandeau Necklace
When the Princess of Wales stepped out in this glittery eye candy from a collection dating back to the Edwardian period, all eyes were on the ravishing British beauty. In July 2017, Kate wore this magnificent necklace for the Spanish state banquet.
The romantic and regal necklace was a wedding gift to then-Princess Elizabeth from her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
Featuring white diamonds, a distinctive V-drop and floral clusters made from diamonds interspersed with ruby stones, this piece was frequently worn by the Queen during the early years of her reign in the 1960s.
After occupying space in the royal vault from the 1980s until 2017, this bandeau suddenly reappeared on Kate’s nape; even after many years, it still has significant sparkle and shine.
4. The Festoon Necklace
Honoring the departed Queen Elizabeth at King Charles’ coronation in May 2023, the princess paired her brand new leafy tiara comprised of silver bullion, crystals and silver threadwork with the George VI Festoon Necklace.
Given to Elizabeth by her father shortly before his passing in 1952, the sparkler features a total of 105 loose collets that had previously passed to the former King as heirlooms of the Crown.
A classic layered diamond necklace, the accessory has three rows of suspended stones between two diamond triangles.
Last photographed on the British sovereign at the State Banquet for the King and Queen of the Netherlands in 2018, this dazzling necklace was a favorite of the Queen of the United Kingdom; she often appeared in the piece for official dinners, jubilee celebrations and special banquets.
The princess wore the necklace to Charles’ coronation with her custom ivory Alexander McQueen dress which echoed the embroidery elements of her wedding gown. The V-neckline showcased the gleaming multi-row necklace.
The shimmering necklace features 31 brilliant cut diamonds, five of which are detachable.
While the Queen wore the special diamond necklace for glitzy palace parties, it also appeared on Her Majesty in Abu Dhabi in 2010.
Perfect for adding dazzle to a conservative dress, the princess has worn the rivière style accessory with its single row of round diamonds to a Diplomatic Reception in December 2017; for the black-tie occasion, she was clad in a Jenny Packham bespoke ivory gown with crystal embellishments hailing from the designer’s Spring 2015 bridal collection.
6. Queen Elizabeth II’s Three Strand Pearl Necklace
A delicate multi-row necklace featuring a graduated silhouette, this sophisticated piece was a gift to Elizabeth from her beloved father, King George VI. She lost her dad at the age of just 25-years-old.
Owning multiple backups of the necklace with an identical replica in her stockpile, this piece held special sentimental value for the Queen. She would often wear the stately accessory for special holiday messages, anniversary celebrations and other royal functions. (She preferred wearing the pearl imitation necklace so as not to tarnish the original).
The Princess of Wales first wore the piece at a Governors-General reception just prior to the Queen’s funeral. Kate paired the multi-strand necklace with the Queen’s pearl and diamond “Silver Jubilee” earrings (the two pieces are thought to possibly be part of a matching set).
