Kate Middleton Pairs Her Bold Power Suit With a Birthstone Necklace That Honors Her “Inner Strength and Healing”

The Princess of Wales made her first solo engagement of 2026 on January 15.

Kate Middleton on January 15, 2026.Credit: 

Kate Middleton took part in her first solo engagement of 2026 on January 15, hosting members of England’s women’s rugby team at Windsor Castle.
The team, known as the Red Roses, won the World Cup last September.
The Princess of Wales chose meaningful pieces of jewelry for the appearance, including a garnet necklace that likely paid homage to her own strength.

Poignantly, one day after marking the first anniversary since she announced she is in remission from cancer on January 14, 2025, Kate Middleton honored herself through her choice of jewelry for an engagement at Windsor Castle.

On January 15, the Princess of Wales made her first solo engagement of 2026 by hosting England’s women’s rugby team for a reception to celebrate their World Cup victory last September. Fittingly, the future queen chose to honor the team—dubbed the Red Roses—by wearing a red Alexander McQueen pantsuit, paired with matching heels and statement pearl earrings.

“Catherine has a public role to play in supporting William in his official duties and her own interests, too, but her family and her health come first—everything else is built around that,” he continued. “Running on empty isn’t an option, nor is missing too much time with [Prince] George, [Princess] Charlotte, and [Prince] Louis. The days of just powering through are done.”