Princess Kate wore a treasured necklace that once belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II at the funeral of the Duchess of Kent today.
The choice held additional special meaning as the Princess of Wales also wore the piece during the funeral of the late monarch three years ago.
Kate arrived at Westminster Cathedral alongside Prince William for the ceremony for the Duchess of Kent.
Worn around her neck was the Four Row Japanese Pearl Choker, which featured an exquisite, graduated string of freshwater pearls and a diamond clasp.
Princess Kate wore a treasured heirloom of the late Queen Elizabeth at the funeral of the Duchess of Kent
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The one-of-a-kind piece was created by royal jeweller Garrard and gifted to Queen Elizabeth II from the government of Japan in the 1970s.
Princess Diana also became associated with the necklace when she wore it to some of her first royal engagements.
She also wore the necklace for a dinner during the Dutch State Visit in November 1992.
Most famously, Kate chose to wear Queen Elizabeth II's fabulous pearl choker during the former monarch’s funeral in 2022.
The exquisite pearl necklace was a gift to Queen Elizabeth from the government of Japan
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Kate previously wore the treasured heirloom at Prince Philip’s funeral in April 2021.
The Princess of Wales’s decision to wear the piece while attending the Duchess of Kent’s funeral today therefore represented a major sign of respect for the late royal.
She accompanied the necklace with a black dress featuring a prominent bow and a black hat with a net veil.
In 2017, she also wore the piece during Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s 70th wedding anniversary dinner.
Kate also wore the heirloom during the funeral of Queen Elizabeth in 2022
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Outside of family occasions, the princess has worn the necklace at the Festival of Remembrance in November 2022 and National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication in Edinburgh in July 2023.
The Royal family gathered on Tuesday September 16 for a service in honour of the Duchess of Kent, who died on September 4 at her Kensington Palace residence aged 92.
King Charles led proceedings at Westminster Cathedral but was present without Queen Camilla.
The Queen was forced to pull out from attending as she recovers from acute sinusitis – with Buckingham Palace confirming she would not be in attendance at Westminster Cathedral for the service.
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Kate and William were among the royals attending the Duchess of Kent's funeral on Tuesday
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The Duchess of Kent’s husband, Prince Edward the Duke of Kent, was present at the funeral.
He was joined by his and the late duchess’s three children and their 10 grandchildren.
Prince Andrew also made a surprise appearance at the ceremony, accompanied by Sarah Ferguson.
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