Kate Middleton £35,000 earrings hold ‘sentimental’ meaning

Kate, Princess of Wales, 41, attended Prince Archie’s christening in 2019 wearing her late mother-in-law’s Collingwood pearl and diamond drop earrings.

Princess Diana actually wore these same earrings at Prince Harry’s christening back in 1984 (Prince Archie’s father).

Therefore, this was a lovely tribute from Kate to the Duke of Sussex by honouring his late mother.

Karine Laudort, a fashion editor and style expert exclusively told Express.co.uk: “In 2019, the world eagerly awaited the christening of Prince Archie, the son of Harry and Meghan. As always, the Royal Family’s fashion choices garnered attention, and all eyes were on Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, as she arrived at the private ceremony held at Windsor Castle.

“One particular element of her outfit that caught the eye was her choice of earrings, which added a sentimental touch to her elegant ensemble.

“For Prince Archie’s christening, Kate chose to wear a stunning pink Stella McCartney dress paired with Gianvito Rossi suede red pumps. The mid-length dress featured a high neckline, three-quarter-length sleeves, and a fitted waist that accentuated her slender figure.

“The soft pastel hue of the dress perfectly complemented her complexion and added a touch of femininity to her overall look. She also arbored a red straw headpiece with a pleated edge, by Juliette Botterill Millinery. The simplicity of the design allowed Kate’s natural grace and elegance to shine through.

“One of the most captivating aspects of Kate’s ensemble was her choice of earrings. She opted to wear Princess Diana’s Collingwood Pearl earrings, a sentimental and meaningful addition to her outfit.

“Princess Diana was known for her love of pearls; these earrings were one of her cherished pieces. By wearing them, Kate paid tribute to her late mother-in-law and added a personal touch to the occasion. The earrings exuded timeless elegance and perfectly complemented the overall aesthetic of her ensemble.

Tobias Kormind, managing director of 77 Diamonds, Europe’s largest online diamond jeweller, exclusively told Express.co.uk: “The choice of earrings is actually a lovely tribute to Princess Diana and to Prince Harry because looking back, the earrings that Kate wore to the christening of Prince Archie of Sussex are the Collingwood Pearl Earrings, which are the same earrings that Diana wore to the christening of the Duke of Sussex in 1984.

“The Collingwood Pearl Earrings were a gift from the jewellery firm, Collingwood – the brand was a go-to for the Spencer family.

“Diana first wore the earrings in public in June 1981 to a dinner held at Claridge’s in honour of King Khalid of Saudi Arabia. She often paired the earrings with Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara and nowadays, Kate does the same.

“Kate first wore the earrings in 2017 to a State Banquet hosted at Buckingham Palace and has worn them regularly since, including in her 40th birthday portrait. Kate has also combined the Collingwood earrings with the top portion of the south sea pearl earrings including at the 2019 BAFTAs.”

Tony French, the Regional Sales Manager at Austen & Blake commented exclusively: “These earrings feature a timeless yet striking combination of pearls and diamonds. The main focal point of the design is the incredible pearl drops.

“They’re beautifully balanced with a round diamond stud and an additional suspended round-shaped diamond. They’re also finished with a bell cap set with three rows of smaller diamonds.

“South Sea Pearls of this size, in a setting with diamonds made by Collingwood, and carrying the provenance they do, would put an estimated value of the earrings between approximately £30-35,000.

“Wearing jewellery from loved ones that have since passed is a touching way to remember them—especially at special events and milestone moments. It ensures that that person is part of the day’s proceedings, even in a small yet sentimental way.

“It’s a way to keep their memory alive as well as being a source of comfort for others who may be missing them too.

“It’s also important to note that, much like any special event, there are sure to be many photographs taken. With the royals, these photos go much further than the family album and are shared worldwide.

“Kate may have chosen to wear the earrings with this in mind. This means she was able to pay tribute to her late mother-in-law and include her in photos taken on the day.”