On May 8, the Princess of Wales joined Prince William in hosting a garden party at Buckingham Palace in London on behalf of King Charles. For the occasion, Princess Kate, 44, elevated a cream Self-Portrait outfit with meaningful heirloom pieces: Queen Elizabeth’s Bahrain Pearl Drop Earrings and Princess Diana’s three-strand pearl bracelet by Nigel Milne.
The jewelry choices paid tribute to her late grandmother-in-law and mother-in-law—neither of whom she ever met—adding a sentimental and regal layer to her classic garden party look. Both pieces have been part of Kate’s collection for years, alongside other historic royal jewels she now has access to.
In recent appearances, she has also worn other notable royal heirlooms, including Queen Elizabeth’s pearl necklace during celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the late Queen’s birth, as well as Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara, a favorite of Princess Diana. Prince William also proposed to Kate using a sapphire and diamond ring that once belonged to his mother.
As the Princess of Wales, Kate often draws subtle inspiration from Diana’s style, a connection that has been widely noted. Fashion expert Bethan Holt of The Daily Telegraph has previously said Kate’s fashion choices often intentionally reference Diana in a respectful way, while William has long been aware of his mother’s lasting influence as a style icon.
At the event, William and Kate met guests connected to their charitable work, including members of William’s Homewards initiative aimed at addressing homelessness, as well as representatives from the Duchy of Cornwall and other organizations.
The garden party was part of a busy royal week, following another event hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla on May 6, which honored community volunteers, charity workers, and emergency service staff. These gatherings mark the start of the annual royal garden party season, a tradition dating back to the 1860s, where the royal family meets and thanks members of the public for their contributions to society.
