The Pearl Brooch Catherine Wore to Edinburgh: A Secret Tie to the Queen’s First Love
In a moment steeped in history and sentiment, Catherine, Princess of Wales, recently captivated royal watchers during a visit to Edinburgh in early 2025 by wearing a pearl brooch with a remarkable backstory. The elegant piece, pinned to her emerald-green coat during a charity engagement at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, was revealed to have once belonged to the first love of Queen Elizabeth II, adding a layer of intrigue to an already poignant appearance. As Catherine continues her return to public duties following her cancer recovery, her choice of this heirloom sparked widespread fascination, connecting her to the late Queen’s personal history and reinforcing her role as a keeper of royal legacies. This article explores the significance of the brooch, its secret connection to Elizabeth II’s past, and the emotional resonance of Catherine’s gesture.
The Edinburgh Engagement: A Regal Return
The occasion was a visit to a children’s cancer charity in Edinburgh, part of Catherine’s ongoing commitment to healthcare and early childhood development. Dressed in a tailored Emilia Wickstead coat, Catherine paired the outfit with the striking pearl brooch, which featured a large central pearl surrounded by diamonds in a delicate floral design. The piece, understated yet exquisite, drew immediate attention from royal fashion enthusiasts, who noted its rarity and historical significance. The event, attended by Prince William and local dignitaries, marked another milestone in Catherine’s gradual return to public life after her 2024 cancer diagnosis and remission, making her choice of jewelry all the more meaningful.
Royal commentator Bethan Holt, writing for The Telegraph, described the brooch as “a quiet masterpiece that speaks to Catherine’s ability to weave history into her modern role.” The Edinburgh setting, a city beloved by Queen Elizabeth II, who spent summers at nearby Balmoral Castle, added a layer of poignancy, as did the brooch’s connection to the late Queen’s personal story. Social media platforms like X buzzed with speculation, with one user posting, “Kate’s pearl brooch in Edinburgh isn’t just stunning—it’s a nod to the Queen’s heart.”
The Brooch’s Secret: A Link to the Queen’s First Love
The pearl brooch, part of the royal jewelry collection, has a lesser-known history that ties it to Queen Elizabeth II’s early years. According to royal historians, the brooch was a gift to the then-Princess Elizabeth from a close friend and rumored first love, Lord Porchester, known as “Porchie,” in the 1940s. Henry Herbert, the 7th Earl of Carnarvon, was a lifelong confidant of Elizabeth, serving as her racing manager and sharing her passion for horses. While their relationship was never confirmed as romantic, biographers like Sarah Bradford have noted their deep bond, with Porchie reportedly proposing to Elizabeth before her engagement to Prince Philip in 1947.
The brooch, crafted in the mid-20th century, was a personal gift symbolizing their friendship. Its design—a single pearl encircled by diamonds in a floral motif—reflected the understated elegance favored by Elizabeth in her youth. After her marriage to Philip, the brooch was rarely worn publicly, perhaps due to its personal significance, but it remained in the royal collection. Catherine’s decision to wear it in Edinburgh, a city tied to Elizabeth’s legacy, was seen as a deliberate tribute to the late Queen, who passed away in September 2022.
Royal historian Dr. Tessa Dunlop told Tatler, “Catherine wearing this brooch is a masterstroke of royal storytelling. It honors Elizabeth’s private history while showcasing Kate’s role as a guardian of the monarchy’s emotional legacy.” The choice also resonated with the public, who saw it as a nod to Elizabeth’s enduring influence during a time of transition for the royal family.
Catherine’s Role: Honoring Royal Women
Catherine’s jewelry choices often carry symbolic weight, particularly her tributes to Princess Diana, whose sapphire engagement ring and earrings she frequently wears. The pearl brooch, however, marks a new chapter in her sartorial diplomacy, connecting her to Queen Elizabeth II, a figure she deeply admired. Catherine met the Queen regularly during her early years as a royal, and Elizabeth reportedly appreciated her dedication to duty and family. By wearing the brooch, Catherine bridges the legacies of two iconic royal women—Diana and Elizabeth—while carving out her own place in history.
The Edinburgh engagement also highlighted Catherine’s alignment with causes dear to Elizabeth, such as community welfare and healthcare. Her work with children’s charities mirrors the Queen’s lifelong commitment to service, and the brooch served as a visual link to this shared ethos. As royal fashion expert Miranda Holder noted in Woman & Home, “Catherine’s choice of the pearl brooch is a nod to the Queen’s quieter, more personal side, a side we rarely saw but deeply felt.”
The Context: A Monarchy in Transition
The brooch’s appearance comes amid a challenging period for the royal family. King Charles III’s ongoing cancer treatment, announced in 2024, has shifted responsibilities to William and Catherine, who have taken on more prominent roles. Queen Camilla’s recent reduction in public duties due to a chest infection has further highlighted the couple’s importance as the public face of the monarchy. The Edinburgh visit, part of a series of engagements in Scotland, underscored their commitment to maintaining the royal family’s ties to the Commonwealth and its nations.
The choice of a brooch linked to Elizabeth’s past also counters narratives of palace tensions, such as those surrounding Prince Andrew or the absence of Prince Harry and Meghan. By evoking the late Queen’s memory, Catherine reinforces a sense of continuity and stability. Posts on X praised her sensitivity, with one user writing, “Kate wearing the Queen’s brooch in Edinburgh is pure class—a reminder of Elizabeth’s love for Scotland and Kate’s strength today.”
Public and Media Reaction
The public response to Catherine’s brooch was overwhelmingly positive, with media outlets like Vogue and The Times of India highlighting its historical significance. Hello! magazine called it “a hidden gem from the Queen’s past, brought to life by Kate’s elegance.” On X, fans shared images of the brooch, with one post reading, “That pearl brooch Kate wore in Edinburgh? It’s the Queen’s love story in jewelry form.” Others noted its emotional resonance, with a tweet stating, “Kate honoring Elizabeth’s first love during Charles’s recovery is a beautiful gesture.”
Royal watchers also drew comparisons to Catherine’s other jewelry tributes, such as Diana’s sapphire earrings worn at a recent state banquet. The brooch, however, stood out for its rarity and personal connection to Elizabeth, making it a unique addition to Catherine’s growing collection of symbolic pieces.
Conclusion
Catherine’s decision to wear the pearl brooch in Edinburgh was a masterful blend of history, sentiment, and duty. By donning a piece tied to Queen Elizabeth II’s first love, she paid tribute to the late monarch’s personal story while reinforcing her own role as a modern royal. The brooch, with its delicate pearl and diamond design, spoke to the quiet strength of both women, connecting their legacies in a city Elizabeth cherished. Amid the royal family’s challenges, from Charles’s recovery to a shifting monarchy, Catherine’s choice was a powerful reminder that jewelry can tell stories—of love, loss, and resilience—that resonate far beyond the palace walls.
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