TOUCHING TRIBUTE 

Princess Kate makes sweet nod to Queen Elizabeth as royals join to mourn  at Duchess of Kent’s funeral

The Four-Row Japanese Pearl Choker has a very interesting history

The Princess of Wales made a subtle nod to the late Queen as she arrived at Westminster Cathedral to say her final farewell to the Duchess of Kent today.

Kate Middleton, who arrived alongside her husband Prince William, put on a sombre display in an all black ensemble and accessorised with a four-strand pearl and diamond choker necklace, which belonged to Queen Elizabeth II.

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The Princess of Wales made a sweet nod to Queen Elizabeth as she arrived at Westminster Cathedral todayCredit: Reuters
 

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Queen Elizabeth II wore the four strand diamond and pearl choker to a banquet in Bangladesh on November 16, 1983Credit: Getty
The mum-of-three often wears the ​necklace, known as the Four-Row Japanese Pearl Choker, to mourning occasions as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth.

Kate has worn the sentimental piece of jewellery on many occasions – the most recent being to the late Queen’s state funeral in 2022.

Prior this this, she was also spotted wearing it to the late Queen and Prince Philip’s diamond wedding anniversary in 2017 and the funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh in April 2021.

The stunning necklace features four strands of cultured pearls which are elegantly joined by a central diamond clasp.

The late Queen commissioned royal jeweller Garrard to create the  famous four-strand pearl and diamond choker, using pearls gifted to her by the Japanese government in the ’70s.

The late monarch wore the choker throughout the 1980s and 1990s – including during a visit to a banquet in Bangladesh on November 16, 1983.

In 1982, Queen Elizabeth loaned the pearl necklace to Princess Diana, who wore it at the State Banquet for Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands at Hampton Court Palace.

Kate and William were today joined by other members of the Royal Family – including King Charles, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh – as they paid their respects to Katharine – wife to the late Queen’s cousin Prince Edward.

Queen Camilla, 78, pulled out of attending today as she is recovering from a sinus infection, it was announced this morning.

Katharine was the oldest living member of the Royal Family at 92 and died earlier this month surrounded by her close family.

On hearing of her passing, a tribute from the Prince and Princess of Wales said: “Our thoughts today are with The Duke of Kent and his family, particularly George, Helen and Nicholas.

“The Duchess worked tirelessly to help others and supported many causes, including through her love of music.

“She will be a much missed member of the family.”

A statement from the Royal Family added: “It is with deep sorrow that Buckingham Palace announces the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent.

“Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family.

“The King and Queen and all Members of The Royal Family join The Duke of Kent, his children and grandchildren in mourning their loss and remembering fondly.

“The Duchess’s life-long devotion to all the organisations with which she was associated, her passion for music and her empathy for young people.”

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Kate wore the four-strand pearl and diamond choker necklace to the late Queen’s state funeral in 2022Credit: EPA
 

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Kate also wore the sentimental piece of jewellery to the funeral of Prince Philip on April 17, 2021 in WindsorCredit: Getty
 

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The late Queen loaned the pearl necklace to Princess Diana for a State Banquet in 1982Credit: PA