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

special jewelry choice
(Image credit: Karwai Tang / Contributor / Getty Images)

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 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.

Princess Charlotte

(Image credit: Getty Images)

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.

Kate Middleton

(Image credit: Samir Hussein / Contributor / Getty Images)

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. 

Zara Tindall

(Image credit: Karwai Tang / Contributor / Getty Images)

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.

Princess Eugenie

(Image credit: Karwai Tang / Contributor / Getty Images)

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 Harman

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.