The special jewelry choice that united Catherine, Meghan, Sophie and Zara at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral
There was a deliberate significance to the jewelry choice of the Royal Family's key women at Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's funeral


For Queen Elizabeth II's funeral on September 19, select members of the Royal Family wore a certain item of jewelry showing their united front as a family.
- The members of the extended Royal Family attended the Queen's funeral on Monday.
- In a sweet tribute to the Queen, various women in the family wore matching pieces of jewelry.
- In other royal news, Poignant unseen image of Queen Elizabeth II shows off one of her most treasured places.
The women of the Royal Family showed a united front at the Queen's funeral as the world said goodbye to Her Majesty the Queen.
In a subtle way of showing their unity, many female members of the family wore pearls. This has a particularly special meaning to Her Majesty the Queen who was fond of pearls and often seen wearing pearl brooches, pendants, and necklaces.
In a tradition that dates back to Queen Victoria's era, pearls are also thought of as 'mourning jewelry' and are thought to represent tears.
Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, Sophie Wessex, and Zara Tindall all wore pearl jewelry in a similar style to honor the late Queen.
Kate Middleton's pearl earrings were very similar to pairs she usually sports at royal engagements but the ones she opted for on the day of the funeral were actually a gift from the Queen and from her own personal collection. Kate paired the earrings with a stunning choker, also made from pearls, a gift to the late monarch from the Japanese government.
Significantly, the piece was also once worn by the late Princess Diana to a state banquet.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
The Duchess of Sussex honored the late Queen in a similar way by wearing pearl jewelry that was a gift from Her Majesty the Queen before she passed away.
Meghan received the earrings and a matching pearl necklace on her first public trip with the Queen back in 2018 when she first became a member of the Royal Family.
The Queen's eldest granddaughter Zara Phillips and Her Majesty's daughter in law, the Countess of Wessex also followed suit and opted to wear pearl jewelry to this event. Although their items were not gifted to them by the Queen, it was clear that the pair were keeping up the royal tradition of wearing pearls at funerals.
At the Queen's funeral, the countess wore the same dropped pearl earrings to Prince Philip's funeral in April 2021. Sophie also wore black and white pearls as she married Prince Edward in 1999 and became a member of the Royal Family, suggesting that for her this item has a particular association with the family she married into. Similarly, Zara Tindall also wore pearl drop earrings to her grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral in 2021.
The younger generation of royals including Princess Charlotte, Savannah, and Isla Phillips also did not wear pearls but Princess Charlotte honored the late Queen in the sweetest way with a diamond horseshoe-shaped brooch in what is believed to be her first piece of jewelry.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie wore little jewelry with Princess Eugenie opting for simple gold hoops.
This special jewelry choice was a unique way to show the family's united front and their shared connection with Her Majesty the Queen, who was so regularly seen in pearl jewelry.
Laura is the Entertainment Editor for woman&home who primarily covers television, film, and celebrity news. Laura loves drinking and eating and can often be found trying to get reservations at London's trendiest restaurants. When she's not wining and dining, Laura can also be found travelling, baking, and hiking with her dog.
-
Kate Middleton and Prince William will spend 14th anniversary in place that holds both 'happiest' and 'saddest' memories
Just like King Charles and Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales will mark their wedding anniversary away from home this year.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Clodagh McKenna’s olive green Zara trousers are under £60 - this springtime essential will get you ditching your jeans
Jeans will always have a place in our wardrobe but a great pair of tailored trousers makes a lovely change and can be equally versatile.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Kate Middleton and Prince William will spend 14th anniversary in place that holds both 'happiest' and 'saddest' memories
Just like King Charles and Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales will mark their wedding anniversary away from home this year.
By Emma Shacklock
-
I’ve been writing about the royals for years - here’s what I predict Kate Middleton will wear at Easter (and what I wish she’d wear instead)
All eyes will be on the Princess of Wales if she attends the Royal Family's Easter Sunday church service for the first time since 2023
By Emma Shacklock
-
Remember when Prince William and Kate Middleton broke royal protocol at Easter? Here's why it's unlikely to happen again
The Royal Family might be taking a more modern approach these days, but there are some traditions and protocols that they still uphold.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Kate Middleton's go-to bag for special occasions is a wedding season essential you'll reach for time and time again
The Princess of Wales always reaches for the same elegant style of bag for formal events and it works beautifully for weddings.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Kate Middleton declares baker boy hats back for 2025 in new Love Actually-esque outfit
The Princess of Wales's signature style is all about timelessness but that doesn’t mean that she never gets on board with trends.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Forget-me-not blue is the pastel Duchess Sophie always comes back to - it might've overtaken pistachio as our favourite this season
The royals love wearing a range of colours for engagements and visits, but there are a few hues that each of them gravitate towards the most.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Prince George will start a new school this year and 'smart money' is on Kate and William choosing this one, says royal expert
Prince George only has just over a year left at Lambrook School and Emily Andrews believes there's a top contender for his next one.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Queen Camilla takes note of Kate Middleton's love of polka dots with charming collared number in Rome
If we had to pick the Princess of Wales’s favourite print it would be polka dots and Queen Camilla just emulated her style in Rome.
By Emma Shacklock