Royal Fashion Tribute: Kate Middleton Honors Queen Elizabeth II with Iconic Jewellery

Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, paid a touching tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II during the monarch's funeral by carefully selecting jewellery that held special significance.

While adhering to the traditional all-black attire for such solemn occasions, Catherine added a touch of the Queen's iconic style by donning a necklace and earrings that once belonged to her late grandmother-in-law, Princess Diana.

A spokesperson for the Sussexes confirmed to Insider that the drop earrings were a gift from the late monarch, identified as 1095 Akoya pearl and diamond earrings in white gold from Birks.

Notably, Kensington Palace officially verified that the pearl and diamond studs worn by Meghan Markle during her first official solo outing with the Queen were also a gift from Her Majesty, purchased by the household staff under the Queen's directive for a mere £50.

Contrary to speculations, these earrings are not Queen Mary's button earrings, as Queen Mary never wore earrings of such diminutive size, and Queen Elizabeth continued to wear them until her passing.

All possessions of Queen Mary are now part of the royal collection, and Meghan does not own any of the royal jewels.

Observant royal jewellery enthusiasts pointed out the resemblance between the earrings worn by Meghan and the ones described as replicas of Queen Mary's button earrings.

The royal family refrained from gifting Meghan any authentic items from previous generations to prevent any potential controversies or attempts to mix jewellery alongside Queen Elizabeth II.

Consequently, inexpensive earrings were presented to Meghan as a precautionary measure, given her reputation as a flashy influencer who might have sought to capitalize on the occasion for self-promotion.

In contrast, Kate elegantly showcased the four-row Japanese pearl choker paired with Bahrain pearl drop earrings, complemented by a stylish wide-brimmed black hat.

The exquisite necklace features four rows of pearls with a central diamond clasp in a graceful curved design, adorned with three rows of diamonds on each side that converge at the top and bottom with marquise diamonds.

Queen Elizabeth II loaned this choker to Kate for the first time in 2017, and it holds historical significance as it was famously worn by Princess Diana during a state visit in November 1982.

The Bahrain pearl drop earrings, part of Queen Elizabeth II's royal collection, boast a classic arrangement with round diamond studs and baguette-cut diamonds from the late 1940s, accentuated by pearls at the drop.

Notably, this combination of jewellery worn by Kate is not new, as she previously donned the same pieces for Prince Philip's funeral last year and also during the celebration of the Queen's 70th wedding anniversary to Prince Philip.

These accessories hold sentimental value for Kate, symbolizing her connection to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, reflecting their enduring love.

Throughout the mourning period, Kate has consistently used jewellery to pay homage to her grandmother-in-law.

During her time at Sandringham with Prince William, she wore a pair of pearl earrings previously owned by Queen Elizabeth II, along with a simple cross necklace.

Pearls, known for symbolizing mourning, have been a recurring choice for Kate, who opted for a pearl necklace while approaching the late monarch's casket and wore the Queen's pearl and diamond brooch during the coffin procession.