Kate Middleton Quietly Nods to Princess Diana at the Festival of Remembrance 2024

LONDON — Every year, the British royal family takes part in the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance held at the Royal Albert Hall, honoring and remembering the Armed Forces.

Catherine, the Princess of Wales, has largely stepped back from public appearances this year, making only a handful of important event appearances. Recently, she was present alongside her husband, Prince William.

For the event, she chose to wear a classic black coat dress designed by Catherine Walker, a favorite brand of the late Princess Diana, as a way to honor her memory. Following royal tradition, it is customary to wear black to Remembrance Day ceremonies and events.

Kate Middleton completed her evening outfit with a black Chanel clutch and a pearl necklace by Monica Vinader. She also wore the Collingwood pearl drop earrings that belonged to Princess Diana, along with her engagement ring featuring diamonds and sapphires that was previously owned by her late mother-in-law.

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The earrings were a present given to the late princess by Collingwood, a jewelry brand that the Spencer family cherished.

Diana frequently adorned herself with the pearl drop earrings at various public occasions. Notably, she wore them during a special showing of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Starlight Express" at the Apollo Theatre in London in 1984, as well as during an event at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C. in November 1985. This event took place just one day after her iconic dance with John Travolta while dressed in a Victor Edelstein gown.

The late princess enjoyed pairing the earrings with the Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot tiara because the pearls matched those in the tiara beautifully.

Middleton sometimes draws inspiration from Diana's fashion choices and pairs the tiara with the Collingwood pearl drop earrings.

She initially donned the pearl drop earrings in 2017 during the banquet at Buckingham Palace in honor of the Spanish state visit.

This Sunday, the Princess of Wales will join other active members of the British royal family at the Cenotaph war memorial in central London for the yearly Remembrance Sunday service, which will be officiated by King Charles.

The Princess of Wales and Queen Camilla will observe the ceremony from the balcony of the Foreign Office, both dressed in elegant black outfits from head to toe.