The most minute details can say so much when it comes to royal engagements, with everything from flowers to jewellery holding significance.
The Collingwood earrings were gifted to then-Lady Diana ahead of her wedding to Charles, then being passed on to Kate after her death.
It’s thought the choice was a poignant homage to husband William’s beloved mum, as well as a symbolic act to mark taking the baton as Princess of Wales.
But, contrary to reports suggesting otherwise, the earrings are not the same pair Diana wore with her famous ‘revenge dress’.
A number of publications stated that the earrings, which feature a bell cap set teardrop pearl coming from diamond-encrusted stud, were worn by Diana to an event at the Serpentine Gallery in London in 1994 – the same night Charles confessed to being unfaithful to her in a TV special.
Photos of the Princess’s outfit went down in history, with her daring off-the-shoulder Christina Stambolian frock described as ‘possibly the most strategic dress ever worn by a woman in modern times’.
As for jewellery, Diana’s neck was adorned with a showstopping sapphire, diamond and pearl choker, while on her ears she also sported pearls.
There’s no doubt the teardrop-shaped gems look strikingly similar to those worn by Kate today, but unfortunately for drama fiends, they are slightly different.
It would have been a massive statement for Kate to don the exact pair of earrings that formed part of Diana’s snub of the newly-crowned King. Not only would this likely cause a rift between her and her father-in-law, it could have sparked conversation about underlying intent.
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Instead, the Princess of Wales played it safe, going for earrings that honoured Diana but didn’t have the same memories attached.
This pair have a more detailed stud, with a leaf design around the lobe in a horseshoe shape, studded with baguette diamonds.
They made many appearances during and after Diana’s marriage, including on a tour of the US in 1985 and with the ‘revenge choker’ at a 1995 gala event in aid of Cancer Research.
Princess Catherine then debuted the earrings at the BAFTAs in 2019, also wearing them at Royal Ascot in June last year.
It does appear as though the pearl itself has been changed to suit Kate, as pictures of Diana show a rounder stone set differently. However, this is common practice at the palace and Diana herself had the earrings altered over the years.
The configuration may have changed, but the style is timeless, and these earrings make a stunning addition to the royal wardrobe.
There are a lot of big hats (and crowns, of course).
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