How Kate Middleton Honored Queen Elizabeth with Her Jewelry Choices at Remembrance Day Event

Mar. 15, 2025

Kate Middleton and Prince William.Photo: CHRIS RADBURN/POOL/AFP via Getty

As the royal family marked thefirst Remembrance DaysinceQueen Elizabeth’s death,Kate Middletonwas keeping the historic monarch close.

The Princess of Wales attended the Festival of Remembrance at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Saturday alongside her husbandPrince William, the Prince of Wales. Like the other royal women, Kate opted for a black ensemble for the solemn event paired with some meaningful jewelry. She wore two pieces that once belonged to her late grandmother-in-law: theBahrain pearl drop earringsand a four-strand pearl choker necklace with diamond piece in the center.

Queen Elizabethwore the choker necklace for a state banquet in Bangladesh in 1983, while the Bahrain Pearl Drop Earrings were a gift to the Queen for her wedding to Prince Philip in 1947.

According toHer Majesty’s Jewel Vault, the earrings were made from a shell containing seven pearls gifted to Queen Elizabeth from the ruler of Bahrain for her wedding in 1947. The earrings contain a large round diamond with a smaller circle diamond hanging below it. Three baguette diamonds hang from there, with three more small diamonds making their way to the dangling pearl.

In September, Katechose the same piecesto wear forQueen Elizabeth’s state funeral and committal service.

The Princess of Wales previouslywore the choker as well as the earrings for the funeral of Prince Philipin 2021. She was also recently seen in the pearl drop earrings at the Queen’sPlatinum Jubileecelebrations in June.

“Pearls are one of the very few jewelry items you can wear in mourning and are inextricably linked withQueen Elizabethand 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.”

Kate Middleton at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth - Sept, 19, 2022.Karwai Tang/WireImage

At the Festival of Remembrance, Kate also accessorized her outfit with three red poppy pins. The artificial red flower has been used since 1921 to commemorate military members who have died in wars.

Princess Kate opted to wear three poppies on her otherwise black ensemble, which are believed to honor her great-grandmother Olive Middleton’s three brothers, who all fought and died in World War I.

Kate Middleton and Prince William.Chris Radburn - WPA Pool / Getty

Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!

The royal family has played a central role in the Remembrance Day commemorations sinceQueen Elizabeth’s grandfather, King George V, laid the Unknown Warrior to rest in Westminster Abbey on November 11, 1920. He unveiled The Cenotaph war memorial later on the same day.

“The royal family is showing gratitude for the loss of life basically occurring in their name — certainly in the name of the sovereign as the head of state,“A Century of Remembranceauthor Laura Cloutingpreviously told PEOPLE, referencing the British military oath.

Kate Middleton and Prince William.CHRIS RADBURN/POOL/AFP via Getty

She added, “Remembrance is very, very personal for them.”

source: people.com