The significance behind Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle's jewelry at the queen’s funeral

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Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle are paying homage to Queen Elizabeth II at the monarch's funeral on Monday morning.

As more than 2,000 people gathered to watch the queen's memorial service at Westminster Abbey in London, the Princess of Wales and Duchess of Sussex showed up to the event wearing all-black in accordance with requirements during a mourning period. Both also accessorized with jewelry inspired and gifted by the late queen.

Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle pay homage to the late Queen Elizabeth II at her funeral. (Photo: Getty Images)
Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle pay homage to the late Queen Elizabeth II at her funeral. (Photo: Getty Images)

Middleton's necklace was likely the standout piece of the day as the four-string pearl and diamond choker which belonged to the queen has a storied history with both the late monarch and Middleton's late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.

The choker was gifted to the queen from Japan in the 1970s and can be seen in photos from a state visit in 1983. Princess Diana also wore it to a state visit in 1982, as well as some other occasions. The piece has been on long-term loan with Middleton who wore it to the queen and Prince Philip's 70th anniversary celebration in 2017 and the prince's funeral in 2021.

Diana, Princess of Wales (1961 - 1997) at Westminster Pier ready to greet Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands as she arrives on her state visit, London, 16th November 1982. (Photo by Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Princess Diana at Westminster Pier ready to greet Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands as she arrives on her state visit in November 1982. (Photo by Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

The Princess of Wales also wore the Bahrain Pearl Drop Earrings from the queen's jewelry box, which were a wedding gift from the ruler of Bahrain in 1947.

Middleton's earrings from the queen on display. (Photo: Getty Images)
Middleton's earrings from the queen on display. (Photo: Getty Images)

The earrings, decorated with multiple diamonds and a dangling pearl, were worn by Middleton to the Remembrance Day service in 2016. Queen Elizabeth II had worn the same accessory to the event the year prior.

Markle also wore a significant pair of earrings similarly featuring diamonds and pearls, which she sported during her first solo outing with the queen in 2018.

Markle wore the earrings gifted by the queen to their first outing together in 2018. (Photo: Getty Images)
Markle wore the earrings gifted by the queen to their first outing together in 2018. (Photo: Getty Images)

The Duchess of Sussex honored the important outing and her time with the queen by rewearing the gift as the queen was laid to rest.

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