Catherine, Princess of Wales, looked regal and commanding as she paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II by wearing the monarch’s cherished Pearl and Diamond choker during King Charles III’s coronation celebration in Scotland. Kate Middleton and Prince William, both 41, made an elegant appearance in Edinburgh for the national Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication, a key event honoring the King’s official crowning that took place earlier on May 6th in London.

The royal couple traveled to Scotland to support King Charles and Queen Camilla on this important milestone in the new royal reign. The week’s ceremonial highlights began with a striking display of royal tradition and unity as King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Princess Catherine made their way from the Palace of Holyroodhouse— the monarch’s official Scottish residence— to St. Giles’ Cathedral. At the same time, the Honors of Scotland, which are a set of historic crown jewels, were ceremoniously brought in a people’s procession from Edinburgh Castle to the cathedral to mark the occasion.

During this significant Scottish coronation, Catherine chose to wear a highly symbolic piece of jewelry closely associated with the late Queen Elizabeth II—a four-row Japanese pearl choker with a distinctive central diamond clasp, flanked by three rows of diamonds on each side, culminating in marquise-shaped diamonds that connect at the top and bottom.

This elegant necklace was previously seen on Princess Kate during the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II as well as at Prince Philip’s funeral, reinforcing its emotional and historic significance. The necklace itself was first loaned to Kate by the late Queen in 2017 and has become a recognized piece within the royal jewelry collection. Interestingly, Princess Diana had also worn this choker in the past, giving the piece even deeper resonance within the royal legacy.

For this latest appearance, Princess Kate paired the choker with a different choice of earrings than those she had worn at the funeral. The earrings she selected this time also carry royal history—they once belonged to Princess Diana. Kate has chosen them for other major events in the past, such as the Passchendaele commemoration in Belgium, suggesting she reserves them for occasions of great national or personal significance.

Her choice of pearls carries a layered symbolism; historically, pearls have been worn as mourning jewelry, a tradition that dates back to Queen Victoria, who wore them consistently after the death of her beloved husband Prince Albert in 1861. At the time, pearls were seen as a symbol of tears and remembrance, which makes Kate’s decision to wear them during a coronation—a moment of both renewal and reflection—a deeply poignant gesture.

Kate’s appearance at King Charles’s Scottish coronation quickly became a hot topic across fashion forums and social media, particularly due to the breathtaking jewelry she wore. It is clear that no royal occasion is ever quite complete without the inclusion of iconic and dazzling royal jewels. The Princess of Wales, a mother of three and a fashion icon in her own right, is no stranger to adorning herself with priceless heirlooms from the royal vault. One particularly memorable example occurred in 2014 when she attended a black-tie reception at the National Portrait Gallery.

That evening, she wore the Nizam of Hyderabad diamond necklace, which was originally gifted to Queen Elizabeth II as a wedding present and is estimated to be worth over £66 million. For that event, Kate paired the extraordinary necklace with a midnight blue Jenny Packham gown, creating a timeless and elegant look. The necklace, crafted from platinum and adorned with exquisite diamonds, was loaned to her personally by the late Queen, further symbolizing the deep trust and bond between them.

Catherine’s thoughtful fashion choices, rooted in history and symbolism, continue to captivate royal watchers and highlight her evolving role within the monarchy. By wearing jewels once treasured by both Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana, she not only honors their memory but also solidifies her own place in the royal story—graceful, dignified, and ever conscious of the legacy she carries forward.