Photo: Anwar Hussein/WireImage; Samir Hussein/WireImage
Kate Middleton’s latest accessory reflects her new royal rank.
On Tuesday morning, the Princess of Wales, 40, accompanied her husbandPrince Williaminwelcoming South African President Cyril Ramaphosain the first meeting of his state visit to the U.K. The royal couple was the first to greet the world leader at London’s Corinthia Hotel in their roles as next-in-line to the throne.
Kate popped in a plum coat dress with coordinating accessories, significantly sportingPrincess Diana’sCollingwood pearl drop earrings(which she’s worn before) and a new piece in her jewelry box: the Princess of Wales Feather Brooch. Kate became the Princess of Wales following the accession of her father-in-lawKing Charles IIIin September, and Tuesday marks the first time she wore the brooch since receiving her new title.
Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
The brooch was passed down in the family, and like Princess Alexandra before her, Princess Diana received the Princess of Wales brooch as a wedding present from theQueen Motherwhen she married then-Prince Charlesin 1981,The Sunreported.
Diana wore the piece as a necklace, sporting the feather pendant on a diamond-encrusted chain to the Royal Opera House in 1981 and during a tour of Austria in 1986.
Years later,Queen Camillawould pull the piece from the archives and refashion it to her taste. The Queen Consort, 75, had the statement pendant disconnected from the necklace and made into a pin, keeping the dangling emerald drop.
Getty (2)
Though she was popularly known as the Duchess of Cornwall after marrying Charles in 2005, Camilla was also the Princess of Wales. She didn’t use the title out of deference to Diana, who tragically died in 1997, but Camilla accessorized with the Princess of Wales Feather Brooch in 2006, 2012 and at the reception for the 50th anniversary of Charles' investiture as the Prince of Wales in 2019.
Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!
Samir Hussein/WireImage
Kate and Camilla areexpected to wear tiarasfor the first time in three years later on Tuesday. The royals will likely top their looks for the state banquet at Buckingham Palace honoring President Ramaphosa with dazzling diadems.
source: people.com
