The royal family honors the queen with pearl jewelry before the funeral

The queen’s jewelry box is still open.

Queen Elizabeth II was known for her signature pearls, and Queen Consort Camilla, Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and others paid tribute to her this week wearing pearl jewelry – including pieces belonging to the deceased monarch.

Photographed on Tuesday en route to Buckingham Palace to collect Queen Elizabeth’s coffin, Middleton wore a triple pearl necklace that resembled that of the late Queen’s jewelry collection, along with a pair of Her Majesty’s brilliant and pearl earrings.

Dressed in a black dress with long sleeves and her hair loose in loose curls, the Duchess of Wales looked glum as she rode to the palace with her husband, 40-year-old Prince William, for an emotional evening.

While it cannot be said if the necklace was one of the Queen’s own pieces, Middleton has never been spotted in a similar design. However, her sparkling earrings were a long-term loan from Her Majesty that she often wears.

In addition to paying tribute to the late Elizabeth – who died on September 8, 2022 at the age of 96 – pearls are traditionally worn during royal mourning.

“The royal tradition of wearing pearls in mourning dates back to Queen Victoria, who was so overwhelmed with grief after the death of Prince Albert that she wore nothing but black for the rest of her life.” – Maxwell Stone of British Jeweler Steven Stone says Page Six Style.

“Sometimes her black sets were broken with jewelry – though it was always black, colorless or pearl,” she says, adding that the monarch had special brooches made in honor of Albert, as well as their daughter Princess Alice, who had a jet black pendant and a single white pearl.

“Pearls were thought to represent tears – setting a tradition that continues to this day,” says a jewelry expert.

Today, royals have followed the coffin on foot from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, where Queen Elizabeth will remain until Monday’s funeral.

Middleton, who followed the procession with Camilla, 75, wore a new black coat from Catherine Walker and a veiled hat, and her mother-in-law’s prominent pearl jewelry.

She wore a Queen Elizabeth’s pearl and diamond leaf brooch, which was another long-term loan to Middleton from the Queen, according to Lauren Kiehn of Court jeweler. While the Queen rarely wore it, the Princess of Wales has worn this shiny piece several times since its first exit in 2017, said the royal jewelry expert.

Middleton also paid tribute to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana by choosing her Collingwood pearl earrings.

On the other hand, Camilla chose one of her often worn four-strand pearl necklaces with a diamond clasp and earrings with pearls and diamonds.

Meanwhile, Meghan Markle, who had ridden with Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, wore the black Givenchy coat she had worn before, and the pearl and diamond earrings that were a gift from the Queen after she married Prince Harry.

Expect to see more pearls from the royal family at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday 19 September at Westminster Abbey.