Kate, the new Princess of Wales, has again paid tribute to her predecessor Princess Diana with a piece of signature jewellery while meeting Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s wife today (September 18).
As the Princess took part in Wednesday’s poignant procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster, she wore a pair of diamond and pearl drop earrings from her late mother-in-law’s private collection.
And now, while meeting with Olena Zelenska, Ukraine’s first lady, Kate wore a delicate three-strand pearl bracelet that was crafted by designer Nigel Milne for Diana.
READ MORE: Kate Middleton’s sweet nod to Princess Diana at Queen’s funeral procession
Pearls are often thought of as ‘mourning jewellery’, a tradition that dates back to Queen Victoria’s time.
After the death of her husband Prince Albert, the heartbroken Queen Victoria remained in mourning for the rest of her life, dressing exclusively in black and wearing pale or colourless jewellery, frequently white pearls which were said to represent her tears.
(Image: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
Both Kate and the late Queen and Kate were seen wearing pearls at Prince Philip’s funeral last year.
While the piece’s pale colour scheme is in keeping with royal mourning tradition, by wearing it Kate harks back to a deeper sense of family tradition.
Her husband’s mother memorably wore the bracelet in 1989 when she was on a royal tour of Hong Kong with her then-husband.
(Image: REUTERS)
It was passed on to Prince William, and it seems to have become a favourite of his wife’s.. Kate has been wearing the piece several times over the past few days, most recently at a lunch held for governors-general of the Commonwealth nations at Buckingham Palace.
Royal fans raved over the bracelet. ”She looks so immaculate…. Love she is wearing Lady Diana’s pearl bracelet and the Queen’s pearl necklace…what a lovely tribute to two much loved legends,” one wrote on Instagram.
Queen Consort Camilla and the Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex, alongside all other royal women, are likely to wear black dresses and tights, accessorised with a black hat and in most cases a veil.
Known as the ‘mourning veil’, the black lace veil signifies the wearer is grieving and also allows the person more privacy when they are wearing it.
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