As the wife of her beloved grandson Prince William, Kate Middleton always had a special place in the heart of Queen Elizabeth.
So it was no surprise that at the monarch’s funeral two years ago today, the Princess of Wales honoured Her Late Majesty in her outfit and jewellery choices.
Her choker and earrings were both wedding gifts to the late monarch, while Kate’s Alexander McQueen coat dress was both effortlessly stylish and entirely appropriate for the occasion.
But Catherine was not the only royal to pay tribute to the Queen through outfits or jewellery, with the Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Charlotte and Meghan Markle also paying subtle homage to her – as we reveal below.
Millions mourned the passing of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, after the announcement of her death in September 2022
Catherine, Princess of Wales
Kate’s Alexander McQueen coat dress was modelled on a white version she wore during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier that year.
She accessorised with the late Queen’s Japanese pearl choker and Bahrain pearl drop earrings, both of which were created from pearls gifted to Elizabeth on her wedding day in 1947.
The Princess of Wales completed the look with a Philip Treacy wide-brimmed hat and styled her brunette tresses in a chignon, which highlighted the elegance of her jewellery.
Pearls, a tradition in royal mourning dating back to Queen Victoria, were a particularly fitting choice.
The choker, which was first loaned to Kate for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s 70th wedding anniversary in 2017, was also worn by the Princess at Prince Philip’s funeral in 2021.
The Princess of Wales upheld her style reputation in an Alexander McQueen coat dress, modelled on a white version she had worn during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June that same year
Kate accessorised with the late Queen’s Japanese pearl choker and Bahrain pearl drop earrings, both of which were created from pearls gifted to Elizabeth on her wedding day in 1947. Above right: The Queen wearing the choker in Bangladesh in 1983
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, also honoured Queen Elizabeth with thoughtfully chosen clothing.
She showcased a bespoke Suzannah London dress, embroidered with lily of the valley – the late monarch’s favourite flower – as well as other blooms that Elizabeth carried in her wedding bouquet in 1947.
On her lapel, Sophie displayed a sparkling brooch, featuring two strawberries embellished with black and silver diamonds. The last time she wore it in public was alongside Queen Elizabeth at Royal Ascot in 2014.
Additionally, Sophie’s hat, designed by Jane Taylor, referenced the Queen’s wedding posy and her passion for horses.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, wore a Suzannah London dress, embroidered with lily of the valley, the late monarch’s favourite flower, as well as blooms that she carried in her wedding bouquet in 1947
Sophie’s stunning dress – and the patterns that paid tribute to the Queen – seen during its production
Princess Charlotte
Even Princess Charlotte, dressed in a similar manner to her mother, offered a subtle tribute to Queen Elizabeth.
Her traditional Ancar wool coat was adorned with a diamond horseshoe brooch, believed to have been a present from her late grandmother.
This sparkling piece was originally worn by the Queen Mother in the 1920s. It is thought that she received it as a gift from her mother-in-law, Queen Mary.
It marked the first occasion the Princess, who is third in line to the throne, has worn such symbolic jewellery.
Princess Charlotte paid subtle tribute to her grandmother, by wearing a horseshoe brooch that was a gift from Queen Elizabeth. The Queen Mother wore the same brooch in 1929
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
Meghan Markle opted for a Stella McCartney cape dress, paired with a curvaceous hat by Stephen Jones.
She had previously worn the navy version of this distinctive dress to Queen Elizabeth’s 92nd birthday celebrations in 2018.
Meghan selected a touching accessory: a pair of pearl earrings that the late monarch had given her to mark their first solo outing together in 2018.
Meghan opted for a Stella McCartney cape dress, paired with a curvaceous hat by Stephen Jones. Similar to Kate, the Duchess of Sussex accessorised with a pair of pearl earrings that the late monarch had given her to mark their first solo outing together in 2018
Queen Camilla
Camilla paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth by wearing a brooch that once belonged to Queen Victoria.
The Queen has worn the Hesse Diamond Jubilee brooch to various events since her marriage to King Charles, including Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012.
This brooch, gifted to Queen Victoria by her Hessian grandchildren in 1897, boasts the number 60 in Slavonic characters, encircled by a diamond heart with three sapphires.
The brooch stood out beautifully against Camilla’s mid-length black coat dress by Fiona Clare.
She carried a clutch from Queen Elizabeth’s favourite accessory brand, Launer.
Camilla paid tribute to Elizabeth by wearing the Hesse Diamond Jubilee brooch, which once belonged to Queen Victoria
Zara Tindall
Zara Tindall turned to her favourite designers to craft her impeccable mourning ensemble.
She wore a fit-and-flare coat by Laura Green, complete with a waist belt and duchesse-satin collar, paired with a Juliette Millinery floral hat and Emmy London suede pumps.
Her outfit was complemented by pearl drop earrings, highlighting her blonde cropped hair, styled to resemble an updo.
Zara Tindall wore a fit-and-flare coat by Laura Green, complete with a waist belt and duchesse-satin collar, paired with a Juliette Millinery floral hat and Emmy London suede pumps
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie attended the state funeral in coordinated black outfits.
Beatrice paired a Louis Vuitton knee-length dress with a cropped dinner jacket by The Kooples, completing the look with a Sarah Cant hat and Jimmy Choo pumps.
Meanwhile, Eugenie opted for a sophisticated Day Birger Et Mikkelsen coat with striking gold buttons, an Emily London boater and a Gabriela Hearst bag.
A few days before the funeral, the sisters shared a heartfelt joint statement on Instagram, reading, ‘Grannie, we’re so happy you’re back with Grandpa,’ accompanied by a photograph of the late monarch with them as children.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie attended the state funeral in coordinated black outfits