Fashion
coronation of king charles iii

Kate Middleton wears Queen Elizabeth’s necklace, Diana’s earrings at coronation

By
Elana Fishman
Published May 6, 2023, 8:05 a.m. ET

Kate Middleton honored both Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana with her choice of jewelry at King Charles III’s coronation on Saturday.

The Princess of Wales sparkled in the late queen’s George VI Festoon Necklace, a three-strand stunner commissioned by King George VI in 1950 for his eldest daughter, Princess Elizabeth.

The dazzling diamond necklace was often worn by Queen Elizabeth II during state banquets and international visits throughout her 70-year reign.

Middleton, 41, also selected late mother-in-law Princess Diana’s Diamond and South Sea Pearl Earrings for the momentous occasion.

She’s sported the elegant pair before, most recently for Remembrance Sunday service in 2022.

Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales arrives to attend the coronations of Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Camilla, Queen Consort
Kate Middleton selected two very special pieces of jewelry for King Charles III’s coronation. POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II, Sweden, Queen Elizabeth ll attends the State Banquet given in her honour by King Carl XVl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden in Stockholm, Sweden, Queen Elizabeth wears The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara, the Greville Chandelier Earrings, the George VI Festoon Necklace and the True Lover's Knot brooch, Queen Silvia wears the massive Braganza Tiara, 25th May 1983.
She wore the glittering George VI Festoon Necklace, pictured on Queen Elizabeth II in 1983. Getty Images
Princess Diana (1961 - 1997) and Princess Anne during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph.
The Princess of Wales also wore her late mother-in-law’s Diamond and South Sea Pearl Earrings, pictured on Princess Diana in 1991. Mathieu Polak

Follow Page Six’s up-to-date coverage of King Charles III’s coronation

The Princess of Wales skipped a tiara for the ceremony, as it was expected she would.

But along with her magnificent jewels that paid tribute to the monarchs before her, she wore an ivory silk crepe Alexander McQueen dress with silver bullion and threadwork embroidery featuring roses, thistles, daffodils and shamrocks as a nod to the national flowers of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, respectively.

Her 8-year-old daughter, Princess Charlotte, matched in a mini caped iteration of the same ensemble.

The coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey, London.
Kate Middleton and her daughter, Princess Charlotte, matched at the coronation of King Charles III Saturday morning. WPA-Pool/ MEGA
Kate Middleton and her daughter, Princess Charlotte, match at the coronation of King Charles III Saturday morning.
Both mother and daughter wore Alexander McQueen. POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Queen Camilla arriving at Westminster Abbey
Queen Camilla wore the Coronation Necklace for Saturday’s historic ceremony. via REUTERS

Both princesses topped off their looks with Jess Collett x Alexander McQueen headpieces adorned with crystals, silver bullion and threadwork leaf embroidery.

Queen Camilla also picked a particularly special piece of jewelry for the morning’s festivities, arriving in the iconic Coronation Necklace worn by Queen Elizabeth II when she was crowned in 1953.

Designed by Garrard for Queen Victoria in 1858 and suspended with a spectacular 22.48-carat pendant known as the Lahore Diamond, the necklace has been worn by every queen at every coronation since.