How Kate Middleton Poignantly Honored Princess Diana, Queen Elizabeth


Kate Middleton.
Chris J. Ratcliffe – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Kate Middleton is honoring Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth in the most sentimental and stylish way possible.

When the Princess of Wales, 42, stepped out over the weekend, she wore items that bore meaningful significance to both of the late monarchs. On Saturday, November 9, Middleton joined Prince William at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance in London while donning a pair of Collingwood pearl earrings that once belonged to her late mother-in-law Princess Diana.

She coupled them with a sophisticated black coat suit by Catherine Walker, a label favored by Princess Diana, along with a sleek Chanel clutch and a Monica Vinader pearl necklace.

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The royal also brought back her sapphire-and-diamond engagement ring that once belonged to Diana, which she has worn off-and-on throughout 2024 — sometimes preferring to wear a ring stack that didn’t feature the iconic piece, while other times opting for a simple eternity band.

The new ring appears to be a gold band set with diamonds and sapphires. Royal fashion watchers have speculated as to the origin of the band, with some theorizing that it may have been the same ring that Prince William, 42, gifted her upon the birth of their first son, Prince George, now 11 years old.

All the Ways Kate Middleton Honored Diana and Elizabeth

Kate Middleton.
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Others surmised that it could have been a different present from William, perhaps a celebration of their 13th wedding anniversary, which the couple celebrated on April 29, 2024. On the other hand, it may be a piece of bijoux for the Princess of Wales to celebrate this new stage in her life since completing chemotherapy treatment in October 2024.

On Sunday, November 10, Middleton continued her Catherine Walker streak at The Cenotaph in a black, structured suit by Diana’s go-to British designer. The military-like feel and frogging on the shoulders was fitting for the occasion, which honors those who have died in the line of service.

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The ensemble was a repeat from 2020, only this time, it was updated with a chic velvet bow. She topped it off with a black fascinator and another set of pearl earrings. Originally gifted to Queen Elizabeth by the ruler of Bahrain in 1947, they contain one large round diamond paired with four smaller ones, three baguette diamonds and a Bahrain pearl dangling from the base.

To complete the moment, she wore a cluster of poppies pinned to her coat. While many members of the royal family stuck with just one, Middleton’s choice to wear three had a symbolic meaning: they honored her great-grandmother’s three brothers, all of whom died in World War I. A fitting and heartfelt tribute, indeed.