Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton honor Queen Elizabeth by wearing jewelry gifted by the late royal

Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton found a special way to honor the late Queen Elizabeth, who died on Sept. 8 at the age of 96.

The Suits alum, who married Prince Harry in 2018, appeared with the royal family at the Westminster Hall service on Wednesday — a procession that marks the Queen’s leave from Buckingham Palace to her funeral. Per Vogue, the Duchess of Sussex wore the customary black attire, along with a special piece of jewelry that nodded to her relationship with the late monarch: a pair of pearl drop earrings once gifted to her by the Queen herself.

Markle and her husband stepped down from their roles as senior members of the royal family in 2020, but in an interview with Oprah Winfrey on CBS in March 2021, she stated that she had nothing but good will towards the matriarch.

​​"The Queen…has always been wonderful to me. I've loved being in her company," Markle said at the time. "She's always been warm, welcoming, and inviting."

Middleton — the wife of Prince William who is now behind Queen Consort Camilla for the title — also wore jewelry given to her by the royal family matriarch. According to ELLE, Middleton wore a pearl brooch that once belonged to the Queen, which the royal previously wore during a trip to South Korea. Middleton also honored the late Princess Diana, her husband’s mother, with a pair of matching pearl earrings that belonged to the so-called “People’s Princess.”

The women of the royal family have not issued their own statements about the passing of the Queen, however, they were included in their husband’s remarks on the death of the United Kingdom’s longest monarch.

Prince Harry shared, "Granny, while this final parting brings us great sadness, I am forever grateful for all of our first meetings — from my earliest childhood memories with you, to meeting you for the first time as my Commander-in-Chief, to the first moment you met my darling wife and hugged your beloved great-grandchildren. I cherish these times shared with you, and the many other special moments in between.”

Prince William, in his own statement, wrote: “So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign. I, however, have lost a grandmother. And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of The Queen's wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade. My wife has had twenty years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives. She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life.”

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