Despite her health issues, Kate is continuing to keep busy

The jewellery collection of Queen Elizabeth II remains unparalleled in its richness and variety.

The late British monarch, who would have celebrated her 98th birthday tomorrow, amassed an extraordinary array of pieces over the years through purchases, gifts, and inheritance.

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During her lifetime, Queen Elizabeth frequently loaned items to Catherine, the Princess of Wales, for special occasions, underscoring the strong bond between them.

Since Queen Elizabeth‘s passing, Kate has continued to pay homage to the monarch by wearing some of her most cherished treasures. One such piece, the emerald demi-parure, was first unveiled by Queen Elizabeth in 1989 at a dinner at Claridge’s.

She adorned herself with the tassel necklace, complemented by other jewels from the royal vaults. This necklace is believed to have been a gift from Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan during a state visit of the President of the United Arab Emirates.

The demi-parure comprises a necklace, earrings, bracelet, and ring. Kate Middleton later wore the earrings and bracelet during a dinner in 2022 hosted by Patrick Allen, the Governor General of Jamaica, as part of a royal tour commemorating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

What other pieces has Kate worn?

Another notable jewel in the collection is a diamond and pearl parure gifted to Queen Elizabeth II‘s great-grandmother, Alexandra of Denmark, by King Edward VII in 1863.

This parure included a necklace, pearl and diamond cluster earrings, a brooch with a detachable pendant, and a diamond tiara, known as the Rundell Tiara.

The tiara, not worn by Alexandra on her wedding day, was eventually inherited by Queen Mary, Alexandra’s daughter-in-law, who later passed it down to the Queen Mother.

One of Queen Elizabeth‘s most cherished pieces, the necklace, earrings, and brooch from this parure, has been worn at numerous evening events and was recently chosen by Kate for a state banquet at Buckingham Palace in 2018.

Queen Elizabeth was often seen wearing her iconic three-strand pearl necklace, commissioned by herself in 1952.

The necklace, featuring graduated pearls and a diamond clasp, became a signature piece during her reign. In 2020, she wore it over an emerald green dress while addressing the nation during the Covid pandemic.

Following Queen Elizabeth‘s passing in 2022, Kate continued to wear these pearls at various events, including a governors-general luncheon and the 2023 Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall.

Additionally, Kate Middleton showcased the Greville chandelier earrings at the wedding of Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan and Princess Rajwa in 2023.

Originally owned by Dame Margaret Greville, these earrings were given to Queen Elizabeth as a wedding gift from her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

Margaret Greville’s bequest of jewels to the Queen Consort, later the Queen Mother, included these exquisite earrings, which feature a unique combination of diamond cuts.