Kate Middletonwore a style tribute toQueen Elizabethon the first anniversary of the monarch’s death.
Princess Kate andPrince William, both 41,traveled to Waleson Friday to take part in a service commemorating Queen Elizabeth — who died on Sept. 8, 2022, at age 96 — at the historic St. Davids Cathedral.
The Princess of Wales chose a meaningful accessory for the outing: pearl and diamond earrings that previously belonged to her grandmother-in-law.
It’s not the first time that Kate sported the jewels. She first borrowed the jewels from the Queen when she went to the Netherlands for her first solo foreign trip in October 2016, according to Lauren Kiehna, writer & editor ofThe Court Jeweller. The Queen wore the earrings to her Silver Jubilee in 1977, the outlet reports.
Kate Middleton on Sept. 16, 2022.Dan Kitwood/Getty
Princess Katewore the same earringsmultiple times in the weeks after Queen Elizabeth’s death, including viewing tributes atSandringham,receiving the Queen’s coffin at Buckingham Palaceandgreeting Commonwealth troopswho arrived in the U.K. to take part in the Queen’sstate funeral.
It was a fitting choice, as pearls were a staple of Queen Elizabeth’s wardrobe.
Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty
“Pearls are one of the very few jewelry items you can wear in mourning and are inextricably linked with Queen Elizabeth and her personal jewelry legacy,“Bethan Holt, author ofThe Queen: 70 Years of Majestic Style,previously told PEOPLE. “It’s a symbol of mourning a monarch but also a grandmother or great-grandmother.”
Queen Elizabeth wearing pearls in June 2022.Chris Jackson/Getty
In an intimate sign of their close relationship, Kate regularly wears jewels that belonged to the monarch and followed her lead of wearing bright colors so she could be easily spotted in the crowd.
Prince William and Kate Middleton visit Wales on Sept. 9, 2023.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
While the royal often opts to wear red during visits to Wales, as it is a color featured on their flag, going with burgundy on Friday was likely an intentional choice. The muted shade of red fit the solemn occasion of the church service honoring Queen Elizabeth.
While Prince William and Princess Kate spent the day in Wales,King CharlesandQueen Camillawere spotteddriving to a service at Crathie Kirk churchnear Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
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Meanwhile, Prince Harry wasspotted visiting his grandmother’s burial siteat St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on Friday. The Duke of Sussex, 38, traveled from his home in California to the U.K. this week to the annual awards evening for WellChild, a charity supporting seriously ill children and their families.
Kate Middleton wears Queen Elizabeth’s earrings on Sept. 8, 2023.Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty
source: people.com
