The secret message behind the Princess of Wales’ elegant outfit at the Duchess of Kent’s funeral

Kate paid tribute to more than one member of the royal family The royal family were united for a sad occasion yesterday: the funeral of the Duchess of Kent, who died on 4 September. A much beloved member of the royals, the duchess’ funeral took place at Westminster Cathedral, and was the first Catholic funeral service for a member of the royal family in modern history. The Prince and Princess of Wales were among those in attendance, and the latter looked particularly elegant in a black Catherine Walker coat dress, which she previously wore to the funeral of Prince Philip in 2022.

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Kate appeared to channel Old Hollywood glamour in a Jane Taylor pillbox hat, complete with black birdcage veil, as well as a Chanel mini flap bag and black Gianvito Rossi suede heels. She wore her hair in loose, long waves.

It was the Princess of Wales’ jewellery that was really imbued with meaning, though. Kate wore the four row Japanese pearl choker around her neck, matched with the Silver Jubilee pearl earrings; both were given to her by the late Queen Elizabeth II from her own personal collection.

The choker is a piece that Kate has worn many times, including to the funerals of both Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II. The pearls were a gift to the late Queen from the Japanese government, and Garrard was instructed to use them to create the necklace. It’s not just the late Queen to whom Kate was paying tribute, however; Princess Diana also wore the accessory in 1992, for a dinner during the Dutch State Visit in November of that year.

Kate’s earrings – featuring an oval pearl drop suspended from a sparkling round diamond stud – were worn by the late Queen during her Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977. While she was alive, she lent them to Sophie, Countess of Wessex, before passing them on to the now-Princess of Wales.

On learning of the Duchess of Kent’s death earlier this month, the Prince and Princess of Wales said that she would be a “much missed member of the family” who had “worked tirelessly to help others and supported many causes, including through her love of music”. The Duchess was married to Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, for 61 years. Their three children – Lady Helen Taylor, Lord Nicholas Windsor, and George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews – attended the funeral, along with the Duchess’ 10 grandchildren.