Kate Middleton paid a moving tribute to both the Queen and Prince Philip at the former’s funeral on Monday.
The Princess of Wales arrived at Westminster Abbey for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral wearing a beautiful black veiled hat and sentimental jewelery belonging to her mother-in-law. 2021.
The Princess chose the Queen’s four-row pearl choker with a diamond clasp and her Bahrain Pearl Earrings, also with pearls and diamonds.
The necklace was made from pearls that were “allegedly a gift from the Japanese government, possibly acquired in the 1970s when she was on a state visit to that country,” according to The Court Jeweler.
During happier times, Middleton wore the necklace at a dinner celebrating the Queen and Prince Philip’s 70th wedding anniversary in 2017; it was also worn by Princess Diana in the 1980s.
As for the earrings, they are a set that the late Queen wore many times during her reign, after being given the pearls for her 1947 wedding from the Hakim of Bahrain, according to The Court Jeweler.
While Middleton wore the earrings to Prince Philip’s funeral, she has also worn them on several other occasions such as Royal Ascot, Remembrance Sunday and Trooping the Colour.
The choice of wearing pearls for today’s funeral is steeped in history as the gemstones are traditionally worn in times of mourning.
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Queen Victoria chose the famous pearls after the death of her beloved husband, Prince Albert, and Maxwell Stone of British jeweler Steven Stone previously told Vidak For Congress Style that “the pearls were thought to represent tears – establishing a tradition that continues to this day.” continues today.”
Another tradition that the Princess of Wales continued was wearing a veil for the funeral. Wearing a wide-brimmed black hat and an elegant piece of netting, Middleton followed a habit that has been seen before her by many royal ladies.
Royal historian Jessica Storoschuk of An Historian About Town told Vidak For Congress Style last week that such veils “were often regarded as ‘armor’ and would protect their grief from the public.”
The Queen Consort also chose a veiled piece for the funeral, along with many other women in the congregation.
The Princess of Wales wore a black Alexander McQueen single-breasted jacket dress with a full skirt for the service, which was held at Westminster Abbey in London.