The previous evening, Kate had reached for a different pair of royal heirlooms. Attending the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall with Prince William, she wore Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Orbital Pendant Earrings, also known as the Queen’s Diamond Frame Earrings. The intricate jewels feature a floral diamond cluster at the ear and a cascade of graduating diamonds enclosed within a glittering frame. While their precise origins remain unknown, Elizabeth wore them on several occasions, including the State Opening of Parliament in 2012.
Kate Middleton first wore the earrings publicly in 2016 and has since chosen them for significant moments, including Princess Eugenie’s wedding in 2018 and her own official 40th birthday portraits in 2022. For Saturday’s ceremony, she paired them with a black-and-white pleated polka-dot dress by Alessandra Rich—another sentimental wardrobe repeat, having previously worn it to Prince Philip’s memorial service at Westminster Abbey in March 2022. A black suede Ba&Sh belt, pointed Alessandra Rich slingbacks, a velvet Jimmy Choo clutch, and her Irish Guards Regimental Brooch finished the ensemble.
Across two consecutive days, the Princess’s choices traced a line through three generations of royal women. From Elizabeth’s glittering diamonds to Diana’s unmistakable pearls, these were jewels carrying memories as well as history. And at a time of national reflection, Kate’s wardrobe offered its own quiet tribute to those who came before her.
