9 Times Kate Middleton Has Worn Princess Diana's Jewelry, In Photos

Catherine, Princess of Wales has become a huge influence when it comes to fashion. Kate Middleton has made a stunning style transformation, cleverly updating the royal dress code to align with modern trends while maintaining the classic beauty and prestige of the British royal family. Her winning smile and unparalleled grace have reminded the masses of Princess Diana, who was cemented as a beloved figure. Nearly 30 years following Princess Diana's passing, heirlooms that were synonymous with the icon have been revived — this time, being worn by Kate.   

Since marrying into the royal family, Kate has kept Diana's memory alive in substantial ways. She has paid tribute to her late mother-in-law in the form of Kate Middleton outfits that meant more than you ever knew, and the same can be said for some of her most fabulous accessories. From statement necklaces and extravagant tiaras to classic bracelets and cute earrings, Diana had a large catalog of jewels. Kate now wears these pieces with pride, showing them off at a range of formal events. She has effortlessly made them a part of her own wardrobe, combining beauty with sentimental value for all to admire. Kate has even reimagined some of Diana's baubles to fit with her own personal style preferences. Here are examples of the many pieces of Princess Diana's jewelry portfolio that are still being worn to this day by the reigning Princess of Wales.  

Princess Diana's influence was noticeable from the moment Kate Middleton became part of the royal family. Diana's 1981 engagement ring was purchased from Garrard's and included a stunning 12-carat sapphire encircled by a row of diamonds set in white gold. Diana highlighted the vivid color of the oval ring by wearing a royal blue ensemble when announcing her engagement to the press. The same engagement ring graced the finger of Kate when she and Prince William announced their engagement to the world in 2010. 

Pearls are a timelessly beautiful sign of sophistication, so it's no wonder that Princess Diana gravitated towards them in the form of tasteful earrings. Collingwood pearl earrings in an elegant teardrop shape were given to Diana as a wedding gift, and she went on to wear them frequently throughout her life. They have now become a favorite of Kate Middleton's – she has worn them many times on Remembrance Day, in addition to the black coat that Kate keeps finding new ways to make look chic. 

One of the most maximalist pieces of Princess Diana's accessories was her dazzling Lover's Knot Tiara. The headpiece includes 19 arches made of diamonds that are each filled with their own pearls and topped with a shimmering bow design. Originally owned by Queen Mary, the tiara was loaned to Diana as a wedding gift. It stayed in the British royal family following Diana's divorce from Prince Charles in 1996. After Diana's death, it was not worn again for nearly 20 years until Kate Middleton donned it in 2015. 

Perhaps the most colorful jewels in Princess Diana's collection, her green choker fit in with neon fashion trends of the 1980s. The piece includes emeralds of different sizes fitted into a silver diamond band with the biggest emerald featured front and center. Kate Middleton chose to match the choker with a green dress in 2022, while Diana paired it with outfits that were both blue and green in tone. Diana even wore the choker around her forehead as a headband in 1985 while visiting Australia! 

Much like the exquisite earrings that she regularly wore, Princess Diana also loved showing off pearls in the form of other accessories. One example that eventually made its way to Kate Middleton's jewelry box was her multi-tiered pearl bracelet designed by Nigel Milne. Three layers of dainty pearls were strung around the wrist and tied together with a single silver band. Instead of looking heavy with its many gems, the bracelet has a subtlety and lightness to it that adds dimension without feeling overwhelming. 

So many sapphires were included in Princess Diana's regular rotation of jewels, including multiple styles of earrings. One pair of earrings features a single sapphire, while her double drop sapphire earrings include two stones: one placed on the earlobe and another to dangle below. These sapphires are bordered by beautiful white diamonds that look like round flower petals, outlining the pop of blue color in shimmer. Much like how Kate Middleton now wears her late mother-in-law's sapphire engagement ring, she alternates between Diana's sapphire earrings as well. 

This interesting brooch previously worn by Princess Diana features three ostrich feathers and jewels surrounding a coronet in the middle. It's speculated that only those with the title of Princess are allowed to wear this brooch, as Kate Middleton did for the first time in 2022 after her title changed from Duchess to Princess of Wales. Kate has worn the accessory on her lapel, while Diana preferred to wear it on a gold chain as a pendant necklace.  

Why choose between a choker and a pearl necklace when you can have both? This elegant pearl choker has been an esteemed piece of the royal family's jewels. It includes four rows of pearls attached to a curved clasp made of diamonds. The accessory was a part of Queen Elizabeth II's collection of jewelry and features pearls that were a gift to her from Japan. Princess Diana wore the choker in 1982. Kate Middleton has worn it for a number of events, including Prince Philip's funeral in 2021 and Queen Elizabeth's funeral in 2022. 

In 2020, Kate Middleton was seen wearing a necklace that featured a small round sapphire surrounded by diamonds and displayed on a gold chain. It was speculated that the stone had been retrofitted from a sapphire necklace that once belonged to Princess Diana. Diana had been seen wearing a similar necklace in the 1980s, and while the resemblance was uncanny, it hasn't been confirmed whether Diana's original sapphires were changed to make Kate's necklace.