Kate Middleton Stuns in Princess Diana's Necklace
Princess of Wales in 2023. Photo by Ian Jones under CC BY 2.0.
Princess Kate revived one of Princess Diana's most iconic jewels — and styled it so differently, it turned royal tradition on its head.
At Boston's 2022 Earthshot Prize Awards, the Princess of Wales arrived in a sustainable rental gown and jaw-dropping emeralds that sparked a frenzy. But it was the necklace — Queen Mary's Art Deco Emerald Choker — that made history. The same piece Princess Diana once wore as a headband was now back on the royal stage, resting elegantly on Kate's collarbone.
A Legacy of Glamour — Restyled
The necklace is no ordinary heirloom. Originally gifted to Queen Mary in 1911 during the Delhi Durbar, the choker boasts 16 cabochon emeralds surrounded by diamonds — an estimated $20 million masterpiece, according to Hello! Magazine.
Passed down to Queen Elizabeth II and then loaned to Princess Diana in 1981, the necklace became a signature piece of the late royal's collection. Diana wore it dozens of times — but most iconically, across her forehead like a tiara during a state banquet dance with Prince Charles in Australia.
It was bold. Rebellious. A crown turned crown jewel.
Kate's Regal Reinvention
Fast forward 25 years after Diana's death — and that very necklace has made a radiant return. But this time, in Kate Middleton's hands, it tells a new story.
At the Earthshot Prize ceremony — an environmentally conscious event founded by Prince William — Kate paired the emerald choker with a rented off-the-shoulder Solace London dress in vibrant green. In line with the night's sustainability theme, she ditched the tiara dramatics and wore the necklace in the traditional sense — elegantly draped at the collarbone.
The look stunned — not only because of its beauty, but because of its symbolism. By styling the heirloom in a timeless, almost restrained fashion, Kate paid tribute to Diana's legacy while subtly underscoring her own more conventional royal path.
An Earthshot Moment
The Earthshot Prize — dubbed Prince William's "Super Bowl" by insiders — recognizes five innovative climate solutions each year with $1 million grants. The event, held at Boston's MGM Music Hall, drew a star-studded crowd including David Beckham, Rami Malek, Catherine O'Hara, Shailene Woodley, and Ellie Goulding, according to PEOPLE.
But it was Kate who owned the night.
Wearing the Asprey halo emerald and diamond earrings in platinum and standing beside William in a re-worn blue velvet tuxedo, the Princess was the epitome of modern royalty. Sustainability. Style. Sentiment.
It all came together — with that necklace at the center.
Diana's Lasting Influence
The emerald choker's journey is nothing short of royal legend. Diana last wore it on her 36th birthday in 1997 at the Tate Gallery — just months before her tragic death. Following her passing, the necklace returned to the royal vault — unseen for decades until Kate's Earthshot appearance.
While some viewed Diana's headband styling as daring or even defiant, Kate's choice reflects a quieter form of power — one rooted in tradition, composure and carefully crafted symbolism.
And yet, that choice — to wear Diana's necklace at a moment when the world was watching — is a reminder: Diana's presence still looms large in the House of Windsor.
A Green Queen in Her Own Right
Kate's fashion choices have long been interpreted as coded messages. Whether repurposing an outfit tied to Queen Elizabeth or echoing Diana's jewelry, each look is part of a broader royal narrative.
But here, amid environmental urgency, Hollywood sparkle, and the legacy of two princesses — Kate didn't just wear history. She redefined it.
Because this wasn't about copying Diana. It was about honoring her — while boldly stepping into a future that's all Kate's own.
References: Princess Kate just styled Diana's heirloom totally different from the late royal | Kate Middleton Surprises in a Rented Designer Dress at Earthshot Prize Awards in Boston!
