As the wife of her beloved grandson, Prince William, Kate Middleton always had a special place in Queen Elizabeth’s heart.
So it came as no surprise when at the monarch’s funeral two years ago, the Princess of Wales honoured Her late Majesty with her attire and jewellery choices.
Her choker and earrings were wedding gifts to the late monarch, while Kate’s Alexander McQueen coat dress was elegant and entirely appropriate for the occasion.
But Catherine wasn’t the only royal to pay tribute to the Queen through outfits or jewellery – the Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Charlotte and Meghan Markle also paid subtle homage, as we reveal below.
Millions of people mourned the passing of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, following the announcement of her death in September 2022.
Catherine, Princess of Wales
Kate’s Alexander McQueen coat dress was inspired by a white version she wore during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier that year.
She accessorised her look with a Japanese pearl choker and the late Queen’s Bahraini pearl earrings, both created from pearls gifted to Elizabeth on her wedding day in 1947.
The Princess of Wales completed her look with a wide-brimmed hat by Philip Treacy and tied her brown hair back into a bun that highlighted the elegance of her jewellery.
Pearls, a royal mourning tradition dating back to the time of Queen Victoria, were a particularly apt choice.
The choker, which was first loaned to Kate for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s 70th wedding anniversary in 2017, was also worn by the princess at Prince Philip’s funeral in 2021.
The Princess of Wales maintained her style credentials in an Alexander McQueen coat dress, inspired by a white version she had worn during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June of that year.
Kate wore the late Queen’s Japanese pearl choker and Bahraini pearl drop earrings, both created from pearls given to Elizabeth on her wedding day in 1947. Above right: The Queen wearing the choker in Bangladesh in 1983
Sofia, Duchess of Edinburgh
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, also honoured Queen Elizabeth with carefully chosen clothing.
She wore a bespoke Suzannah London gown embroidered with lilies of the valley (the late monarch’s favourite flower) as well as other flowers Elizabeth carried in her bridal bouquet in 1947.
On her lapel, Sophie wore a sparkling brooch featuring two strawberries adorned with black and silver diamonds. She last wore it in public alongside Queen Elizabeth at Royal Ascot in 2014.
Sophie’s hat, designed by Jane Taylor, also referenced the Queen’s bridal bouquet and her passion for horses.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, wore a Suzannah London dress embroidered with lilies of the valley, the late monarch’s favourite flower, as well as flowers she carried in her bridal bouquet in 1947.
Sophie’s stunning dress – and the patterns that paid homage to the Queen – seen during production
Princess Charlotte
Even Princess Charlotte, dressed similarly to her mother, offered a subtle tribute to Queen Elizabeth.
Her traditional Ancar wool coat was adorned with a diamond horseshoe brooch, believed to have been a gift from her late grandmother.
This brilliant piece was originally worn by the Queen Mother in the 1920s. It is believed to have been given to her as a gift by her mother-in-law, Queen Mary.
It was the first time that the Princess, third in line to the throne, wore such a symbolic jewel.
Princess Charlotte paid subtle tribute to her grandmother by wearing a horseshoe brooch given to her by Queen Elizabeth. The Queen Mother wore the same brooch in 1929
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
Meghan Markle opted for a Stella McCartney cape dress, paired with a curvy Stephen Jones hat.
She previously wore the navy version of this distinctive dress to Queen Elizabeth’s 92nd birthday celebrations in 2018.
Meghan chose a touching accessory: a pair of pearl earrings that the late monarch had given her to commemorate their first solo outing together in 2018.
Meghan opted for a caped dress by Stella McCartney, paired with a curvy hat by Stephen Jones. Like Kate, the Duchess of Sussex accessorised with a pair of pearl earrings that the late monarch had given her to celebrate her first solo outing in 2018.
Queen Camilla
Camilla paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth by wearing a brooch that once belonged to Queen Victoria.
The Queen has worn the Hessian Diamond Jubilee brooch at a number of events since her marriage to King Charles, including Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012.
This brooch, given to Queen Victoria by her Hessian grandchildren in 1897, features the number 60 in Slavic characters, surrounded by a diamond heart with three sapphires.
The brooch stood out beautifully against Camilla’s black mid-length coat dress designed by Fiona Clare.
She carried a clutch from Queen Elizabeth’s favourite accessories brand, Launer.
Camilla paid tribute to Elizabeth by wearing the Hessian Diamond Jubilee brooch, which once belonged to Queen Victoria.
Zara Tindall
Zara Tindall turned to her favourite designers to create her impeccable mourning ensemble.
She wore a fitted Laura Green coat, complete with a duchess satin belt and collar, paired with a floral Juliette Millinery hat and suede heels by Emmy London.
Her outfit was complemented with pearl earrings, which highlighted her bobbed blonde hair, styled to resemble an updo.
Zara Tindall wore a Laura Green fit-and-flare coat with a belt and duchess satin collar, paired with a floral Juliette Millinery hat and suede Emmy London heels.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie attended the state funeral dressed in matching black outfits.
Beatrice paired a knee-length Louis Vuitton dress with a cropped tuxedo jacket by The Kooples, completing the look with a hat by Sarah Cant and heels by Jimmy Choo.
Meanwhile, Eugenie opted for a sophisticated Day Birger Et Mikkelsen coat with striking gold buttons, an Emily London boater and a Gabriela Hearst bag.
Days before the funeral, the sisters shared an emotional joint statement on Instagram that read: “Grandma, we are so happy you are back with Grandpa,” accompanied by a photograph of the late monarch with them as children.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie attended the state funeral in matching black outfits.
