Kate Middleton Wears Historic Royal Jewels at Royal Variety Performance

At the Royal Variety Performance this week, the Princess of Wales made a striking impression wearing jewelry steeped in royal heritage. Kate Middleton donned a pair of dazzling Cartier chandelier earrings that once belonged to Queen Elizabeth II, marking a meaningful return to public duties following her recovery from chemotherapy treatment.

A Century of Royal Legacy

The Greville chandelier earrings carry exceptional historical significance. Originally commissioned in 1918 by British socialite Dame Margaret Helen Greville, they were inherited by the Queen Mother and later gifted to then-Princess Elizabeth as a wedding present in 1947. The earrings feature an impressive array of diamond cuts, including half-moon, trapeze, baguette, and emerald styles, refined through two separate remakes over the decades.

Honoring Royal Tradition

Queen Elizabeth II frequently wore these earrings throughout her reign, most notably at her first Royal Variety Performance as monarch in 1952—making Kate’s choice particularly poignant. The Princess has previously worn the jewels at the 2023 wedding of Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan and at formal diplomatic receptions that same year.

Complementing the earrings, Kate also selected the Queen Mary Choker bracelet, another heirloom piece shared by the Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth II. Worn with her elegant velvet green gown, these accessories reflected Kate’s continued appreciation for royal heritage and personal connection to the late Queen.

Her appearance alongside Prince William underscored the significance of the evening, celebrating both fashion and the enduring traditions that define the British royal family.