The Story Behind Kate Middleton’s Remembrance Day Jewellery

1 month ago

The royal paid tribute to the former Princess of Wales

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The Princess of Wales continues to make a steady return to the public eye following public appearances on Saturday and Sunday in honour of Remembrance Day. And at both events, Kate Middleton was dressed as elegantly as ever – finishing off each weekend look with jewellery that tied in perfectly with the message of Remembrance. But what exactly is the story behind her jewellery choices for Remembrance Day?

The Princess Of Wales Makes Second Public Appearance Since Completing Cancer Treatment

This weekend marked another small step towards Kate Middleton’s return to royal duties. The Princess of Wales, who completed chemotherapy earlier this year, made her second public appearance since the announcement at the 2024 Festival of Remembrance on Saturday – before attending the official Remembrance Sunday ceremony the next day.

The royal, who certainly hasn’t lost her sense of style in her months of absence, wore carefully curated outfits for both events.

On Saturday evening, the Princess of Wales was spotted in an elegant black coat dress, paired with pearl jewellery. And on Sunday, she continued the theme in a black military-inspired coat by Catherine Walker (which the royal previously wore in 2020, now updated with a black velvet bow), the Silver Fleet Air Arm brooch and more pearl jewellery.

The Symbolism Behind Kate Middleton’s Remembrance Day Jewellery

At both events, the Princess of Wales wore some form of pearl jewellery – keeping in line with tradition. The pearls, recognised by the British royal family as a symbol of mourning, were on both occasions antique heirlooms.

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The Collingwood Earrings

During her first weekend appearance, the royal paid tribute to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, by wearing the Collingwood earrings alongside her engagement ring (worn in public for the first time since Christmas). Both items were handed down to Kate upon her engagement to Prince William, and were favoured items amongst the late Princess of Wales’s jewellery collection.

The earrings were a gift to Princess Diana after the news of her engagement to Prince Charles in 1981, from the Spencer family’s jeweller, Collingwood (hence the name). The royal first wore them a month before her wedding, as well as on the big day itself with her going away outfit.

Years later, the Collingwood earrings made an appearance in the wardrobe of the future Princess of Wales: Kate Middleton. The late Queen Elizabeth II loaned earrings (alongside Diana’s famous Lover’s Knot tiara) to the young royal for ‘a lifetime’. The pearls reentered the public eye – almost 23 years after their last sighting – at the 2017 Spanish Banquet.

Kate has worn them on multiple occasions since, and their latest outing during Remembrance Day offered a lovely nod to the former Princess of Wales.

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The Bahrain Earrings

The Collingwood set weren’t the only pair of keepsake earrings worn by the royal over the weekend. On Remembrance Sunday, Kate attended the annual service led by King Charles at The Cenotaph war memorial in central London, where she wore another pair of pearl drop earrings from the royal vault.

The pearl jewellery in question was, in fact, the Bahrain earrings, which once belonged to Queen Elizabeth II. Gifted to the late monarch by the ruler of Bahrain in 1947, and made multiple public appearances over her lifetime.

Kate has also worn the Bahrain earrings on many occasions, including previous Remembrance Sunday services in 2016 and 2019, as well as to the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh in 2021.

And, in wearing the earrings once more this year, the Princess of Wales was able to honour the late Queen while keeping with Remembrance Day traditions.

Why Do The Royals Wear Pearls On Remembrance Day?

As you might have already spotted, pearls are a significant choice for British royals when it comes to mourning jewellery.

The tradition dates back to Queen Victoria. Following the passing of her husband in 1861, the then-Queen resorted to an all-black wardrobe – accessorised only by colourless jewellery and pearls. In the following decades, pearls came to represent the royal’s deep grief, and became synonymous with mourning.

Later in the 19th century, pearls came to symbolise tears. They were adopted soon after by the royals as a demure and respectful choice during funerals, periods of mourning and (many years later) Remembrance Day.

Many other members of the British royal family have followed Queen Victoria’s lead in the years since, including Princess Diana, who notably wore pearls to the funeral of Princess Grace of Monaco in 1982, and Queen Elizabeth II, who wore pearls to the funerals of Princess Diana, Princess Margaret and King George VI.