Princess of Wales Honors Late Monarch with Sentimental Pearl Earrings at Cenotaph Ceremony
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, paid a heartfelt tribute to Queen Elizabeth during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, continuing a cherished family tradition in her choice of jewellery.
Attending the solemn event with Prince William, Kate marked the occasion by wearing the Bahrain Pearl Drop Earrings, a pair previously loaned to her by the late Queen. These earrings, which she also wore to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in 2022, were originally a wedding gift to the Queen in 1947. Kate’s gesture reflects her deep respect for her grandmother-in-law and the symbolism associated with pearls.
Dressed in a black coat and headpiece, Kate complemented her look with three poppies pinned to her lapel, a traditional tribute she wears each Remembrance Day. This marks her first back-to-back official royal engagements since December, as she continues her recovery following cancer treatment.
On Saturday, Kate made a graceful return to public duties at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance. On Sunday, she joined the royal family at the Cenotaph, where Prince William and King Charles laid wreaths in memory of fallen soldiers. As per tradition, Kate observed the ceremony from the balcony of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, accompanied by the Duchess of Edinburgh.
Bethan Holt, author of The Queen: 70 Years of Majestic Style, highlighted the significance of pearls in royal mourning, explaining, “Pearls are one of the few jewellery items appropriate for mourning and are deeply associated with Queen Elizabeth’s personal jewellery legacy.”
Holt added, “Wearing pearls is a way of mourning both a monarch and a beloved family member.”
Queen Elizabeth’s lifelong love of pearls began as a child, when her father, King George VI, gifted her a platinum chain with two pearls added each birthday—a tradition started by Queen Victoria to help her daughters and granddaughters build a complete necklace by age 18.
British jeweller Claudia Bradby, known for her elegant pearl designs, noted the timeless appeal of pearls, saying, “Their power lies in their understated elegance, making them a poignant choice for such meaningful occasions.”
