When it comes to Kate Middleton’s royal jewels, we automatically think of her beautiful sapphire engagement ring that she inherited from Princess Diana, though most of her royal pieces actually connect her to Queen Elizabeth II. Since joining the royal family, Kate has been loaned multiple pieces of jewellery from the late monarch.
Since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, the Princess of Wales has continued to honour her by wearing her pieces, showcasing their bond and mutual respect.
After carefully reviewing her dazzling jewellery collection, diamond experts at UK retailer Steven Stone have confirmed that the Princess of Wales has worn at least £72,957,000 worth of Queen Elizabeth II’s jewels over the years – and we’ve broken down the details of each exquisite piece below.
Japanese Pearl Choker
Estimated Value: £23,000
Kate wore a cherished piece passed down by Queen Elizabeth II – a four-strand pearl choker- at Prince Philip’s funeral in April 2021.
As reported by People, the choker was specially commissioned using a collection of cultured pearls gifted to the late monarch by the Japanese government.
The piece was a regular part of Queen Elizabeth II’s jewellery collection during the 1980s and 90s and was also worn by the late Princess Diana at a state banquet in the Netherlands, adding to its rich history.
Bahrain Pearl Drop Earrings
Estimated Value: £7,000
When Kate Middleton attended Queen Elizabeth II’s annual Trooping the Colour parade in celebration of the monarch’s birthday on 8th June 2019, she chose to wear a pair of earrings loaned to her by the Queen herself.
For the occasion, Kate wore Queen Elizabeth II’s Bahrain pearl drop earrings – pieces the Queen had previously worn during a church service at Balmoral Castle in Scotland in August 2018. The earrings, crafted from a shell containing seven exquisite pearls, were a wedding gift to the former Queen from the ruler of Bahrain in 1947.
The Emerald Tassel Suite
Estimated Value: £1 million
The emerald tassel suite features earrings, bracelet, and a show stopping necklace. It’s rumoured to have been a gift from Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates, however it’s not officially confirmed.
The earrings from Queen Elizabeth II’s emerald parure collection are truly exquisite. Featuring pear-shaped green emeralds set in rich yellow gold, the elegant knot-design drop earrings are finished with sparkling round brilliant-cut diamonds.
The bracelet is equally magnificent – lavishly adorned with white diamonds set in yellow gold, and what can only be assumed are the finest quality emeralds, given their provenance from the Royal Collection.
Cartier Halo Tiara
Estimated Value: £1 million
The dazzling tiara worn by Kate Middleton on 29th April 2011 has since become one of the most iconic royal wedding tiaras of all time. Known as the Cartier Halo Tiara, the exquisite piece is crafted from platinum and adorned with 739 brilliant-cut diamonds and 149 baguette-cut diamonds. It was graciously lent to Kate by Queen Elizabeth II for her wedding day. Queen Elizabeth II only wore the tiara once, shortly after she received it. Though she never wore it in public.
Interestingly, Kate was not the first royal to don the tiara. Often considered a perfect “starter” tiara due to its delicate size and lightweight feel – ideal for younger royals – it has a rich history of being worn by generations of royal women. Princess Margaret was the first to borrow the Cartier Halo Tiara, and it swiftly became one of her favourite pieces during her younger years. The tiara was later loaned to Princess Anne, who last wore it publicly in the 1970s, adding to its legacy as a beloved choice for the younger generation of royal women.
The Diamond and Pearl Leaf Brooch
Estimated Value: £65,000
The Princess of Wales first debuted this striking brooch during a visit to Belgium in the summer of 2017.
Featuring three luminous pearls nestled within a sweeping, diamond-encrusted leaf design, the elegant piece once belonged to Queen Elizabeth II.
Though it remains one of the lesser-known items in the royal collection, its timeless charm has quietly resurfaced on a few occasions. In 2018, Kate subtly wore the brooch tucked behind a cluster of poppies at the Festival of Remembrance,
Maple Leaf Brooch
Estimated Value: £30,000
During their state visit to Canada in 1939, King George VI gifted Queen Elizabeth a breathtaking diamond brooch to commemorate their trip.
The Canadian Maple Leaf Brooch, crafted by Asprey, features diamonds set in platinum, designed in the shape of the sugar maple leaf – the national emblem of Canada.
The brooch was later inherited by Queen Elizabeth II, who often wore it during Canada Day celebrations. A notable occasion was in July 2021, when she wore it for a video conference with the Canadian Prime Minister.
The late monarch was also known to lend the brooch to the Princess of Wales, including for her royal tour to Canada with Prince William in 2011, further cementing its significance as a cherished family heirloom.
New Zealand Fern Brooch
Estimated Value: £25,000
Another gift from across the globe, this stunning diamond and platinum brooch was presented to Queen Elizabeth II by Lady Allum, wife of the Mayor of Auckland, on behalf of the women of Auckland in 1953.
The brooch features a silver tree fern, one of New Zealand’s most iconic symbols, beautifully captured in diamonds and platinum.
The late monarch wore the brooch on several occasions during her visits to New Zealand. In April 2014, she graciously loaned it to Kate, who wore it during her family’s visit to New Zealand, continuing its legacy as a symbol of royal connection.
Royal Family Order Brooch
Estimated Value: £39,000
Kate first wore the Royal Family Order Brooch at the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace in October 2018. A spokesperson for Kensington Palace confirmed to Vanity Fair that Queen Elizabeth II awarded Kate, then the Duchess of Cambridge, the prestigious Order in 2017.
The diamond-encrusted brooch features a small painting of the monarch, and it represents the highest honour the late Queen could bestow upon a female member of the royal family.
Dubai Sapphire Earrings
Estimated Value: £38,000
During a Royal Tour of Scotland, Kate attended a drive-in movie screening of Disney’s ‘Cruella’, starring Emma Stone. For the occasion, she borrowed a pair of earrings from Queen Elizabeth II’s Dubai Sapphire Demi-Parure – marking the first time the Princess had ever worn a piece from this particular collection.
The late Queen first received the set of Dubai sapphires and diamonds from Sheikh Rashid in 1979, famously exclaiming in amazement upon seeing the jewels for the first time. Originally, the Demi-Parure included a necklace, earrings, and a ring. However, Queen Elizabeth II had the pieces altered, transforming the necklace into hoop earrings and the rings and earrings into a bracelet.
The Nizam of Hyderabad necklace
Estimated Value: £65 million
Undoubtedly one of the most treasured pieces in the British royal jewellery collection, the Nizam of Hyderabad necklace stands out for its extraordinary craftsmanship and staggering value. Created by Cartier in 1935, the necklace is a masterclass in elegance and complexity, featuring more than 50 diamonds set in an exquisite abstract floral design.
The opulent piece showcases a breathtaking array of pavé-set stones, along with a detachable double-drop pendant. Thirteen emerald- and pear-shaped diamonds are seamlessly linked to a chain adorned with 38 brilliant-cut diamonds – making this necklace truly one of a kind.
The necklace was a wedding gift to the then-Princess Elizabeth from the Nizam of Hyderabad, who was reputedly one of the richest men in the world at the time. In a gesture of remarkable generosity, he asked Cartier to let the future Queen select any piece she desired from their collection. Her choices? A tiara with three detachable floral brooches, and the now-iconic Nizam of Hyderabad necklace.
George VI Festoon Necklace
Estimated Value: £2.4 million
The Princess of Wales paid a heartfelt tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at the coronation of King Charles, wearing a necklace that was gifted to the late monarch by her father in 1950.
The dazzling piece features three strands of graduated collets, elegantly suspended between two diamond-set triangles, with a single collet strand adorning the back.
Greville Chandelier Earrings
Estimated Value: £1.6 million
Kate chose a stunning pair of diamond chandelier earrings for the royal wedding of the summer in Jordan, attended with Prince William in 2023.
Crafted in 1929, the earrings were a wedding gift to Queen Elizabeth II from her parents in November 1947.
Their Art Deco design showcases an array of modern diamond cuts – including half-moon, trapeze, princess, baguette, baton, and emerald – creating a timeless elegance.
The late monarch wore these earrings throughout her life, most recently during a visit to Toronto in July 2010. It’s a touching gesture that Kate has brought them back into the spotlight.
Duchess of Cambridge Brooch
Estimated Value: £80,000
In 2022, the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge unveiled their first joint portrait at the University of Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum, with Kate wearing a special brooch for the occasion.
The brooch originally belonged to Princess Augusta of Hesse-Kassel, the wife of Prince Adolphus, who was the Duke of Cambridge in the 1800s.
Queen Mary later wore it at the christening of her granddaughter, Princess Elizabeth. The Queen herself also wore the brooch in portraits marking her 50th birthday and again at the funeral of Lord Mountbatten in 1979.
The exquisite brooch showcases a large central pearl, encircled by a ring of sparkling diamonds. Suspended from the cluster is an additional pearl, delicately connected by a string of shimmering diamonds.
Queen Mary’s Diamond Choker
Estimated Value: £260,000
Kate has often reimagined Queen Mary’s diamond chain-link choker by wearing it as a bracelet – most notably when she paired it with the Lotus Flower Tiara for a state dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping in October 2015.
The elegant piece, originally worn by the Queen Mother in her official portraits for her 75th birthday, was later loaned to Kate by Queen Elizabeth II. She showcased the dazzling bracelet once again at a black-tie dinner in Paris in 2017.
Ruby and Diamond Floral Bandeau Necklace
Estimated Value: £380,000
This exquisite ruby and diamond floral bandeau necklace was purchased from Boucheron in 1907 by Mrs. Ronald Greville, who bequeathed her jewellery collection to the Queen Mother upon her death in 1942.
Given to Queen Elizabeth II by her parents as a wedding gift, the necklace was initially quite long. The monarch had it shortened, but its size still made it a challenging piece to wear, and by the 1980s, it was tucked away. In July 2017, however, it made a stunning reappearance around Kate’s neck at the Spanish state visit banquet.
The late Queen may have been inspired by Kate’s appearance, as less than a year later, she wore the same necklace to the Commonwealth Dinner in April 2018.
Diamond & Pearl Earrings
Estimated Value: £10,000
Queen Elizabeth II was first seen wearing these small pearl drops suspended from a diamond stud in 1977, while celebrating her silver jubilee.
Kate first borrowed the jewels during a tour of Canada, before sporting them during her first solo overseas visit without Prince William – which was to the Netherlands in October 2016. The Princess of Wales touchingly wore the earrings for a series of occasions following the late monarch’s passing in 2022 – most notably when she joined the royals to receive her coffin at Buckingham Palace.
The earrings are frequently mistaken for the pair gifted by Queen Mary to her beloved granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II, as a wedding present in 1947. However, a subtle distinction sets them apart – they feature classic round pearls, whereas these showcase elegant teardrop-shaped pearls.
Queen Mary’s Lovers Knot Tiara
Estimated Value: £1 million
Originally designed for Queen Mary in 1913, this stunning diamond and pearl tiara was passed down to her granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II.
The late monarch is said to have offered it to Princess Diana for her royal wedding day in 1981. However, Diana graciously declined, choosing instead to wear her father’s Spencer Family Tiara. Despite this, the Lover’s Knot Tiara eventually became one of Diana’s favourite pieces in her collection.
The Princess of Wales wore the headpiece to the Buckingham Palace Christmas Diplomatic Reception in December 2023.
“Worth £65 million, the most valuable piece is the Nizam of Hyderabad necklace. A wedding gift to the then Princess Elizabeth from the Nizam of Hyderabad, who was known at the time as one of the wealthiest people in the world, it boasts 50 diamonds nestled in an abstract floral design. That’s not the only highly valuable necklace that the Princess of Wales has worn that belonged to Queen Elizabeth II either, and the George VI Festoon Necklace carries a value of £2.4 million.
One style of jewellery that Queen Elizabeth II is known for is a good brooch, and Kate wears several of them – the most valuable being the Duchess of Cambridge brooch. Worth £80,000, Queen Elizabeth wore the pearl piece in portraits released to mark her 50th birthday. Kate wore it for a portrait in 2022. She’s also been seeing wearing the diamond and pearl oak leaf brooch, the maple leaf brooch, the New Zealand fern brooch, and the Royal Family Order brooch.
Sometimes, the most valuable pieces aren’t the most sentimental. A good example of this is Kate’s pearl choker and pearl drop earrings, which she often pays tribute to the late monarch with. Worth £30,000 together and worn at both the funerals of Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II, they’re a nod to the late monarch’s love of pearls – she notably wore a three strand pearl necklace for most of her life.”
maxwell stone, creative director, steven stone
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