Princess Kate Middleton made a radiant return to the public eye after over a year of cancer treatment, attending a Remembrance Festival in London.

While she wore a black dress and coat suitable for the occasion, the highlight of her appearance was not just her glowing smile, but particularly the Collingwood pearl earrings, which once belonged to Princess Diana.

Princess Diana and Kate both shared a fondness for pairing the Collingwood pearl earrings with the Lovers Knot tiara. (Image: Getty Images)

The Collingwood pearl earrings, crafted by the British jewelry house Collingwood, were a wedding gift from Princess Diana’s family when she married Prince Charles (now King Charles III) in 1981. Diana wore these earrings to numerous events throughout her life.

With their Edwardian style, these earrings were often paired with the Lovers Knot tiara, a combination that Princess Kate has also embraced on many special occasions.

Jewelry Inherited from Princess Diana by Kate Middleton

One of the most famous pieces passed down to Kate Middleton is the Sapphire Engagement Ring. Originally chosen by Prince Charles for Princess Diana, the Ceylon blue sapphire ring is perhaps the most iconic piece of jewelry associated with the late princess. The sapphire is often referred to as the “guardian of love,” symbolizing faithfulness and commitment. By choosing to give this ring to Kate as an engagement gift, Prince William not only expressed his love for Kate but also honored his late mother, Diana, in a deeply personal way.

Another important heirloom passed down to Kate is the Emerald Choker, which has been worn by four generations of the British royal family (from left to right: Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, and Princess Kate). (Image: Getty Images)

In addition to these iconic pieces, Princess Kate Middleton has inherited numerous other items from Princess Diana. However, the tradition of passing down jewelry is not exclusive to the British royal family.

In royal families with deep historical roots, it is common for jewelry to be handed down through generations, from grandmother to mother, and then to children and grandchildren. Wearing these heirlooms serves as a way for royal family members to feel connected to their loved ones who have passed, while also creating a lasting bond between generations.

For example, at the Portrait Gala in 2014, Princess Kate wore the Nizam of Hyderabad necklace, a piece of jewelry gifted to Queen Elizabeth II by the Nizam of Hyderabad (a former princely state in India) for her wedding in 1947. (Image: Getty Images)

 

Royal jewelry often contains precious gems given by allied nations, signifying long-established diplomatic relationships. Thus, wearing such pieces across generations serves as a reminder of these important international ties. One of the most valuable jewelry pieces in the British royal collection is the Nizam of Hyderabad necklace, designed by Cartier using 38 diamonds gifted by the Nizam of Hyderabad to Queen Elizabeth II as a wedding gift.

In this way, the passing of jewelry between generations not only strengthens familial bonds but also serves as a reflection of the royal family’s deep connections to the history and diplomacy of the world.