Kate Middleton's £100k earrings pay poignant tribute to the Queen

Kate Middleton paid a poignant tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II during Wednesday night’s glittering state banquet at Windsor Castle, honouring US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania.

Seated beside the president, the Princess of Wales, 43, wore the late monarch’s Diamond Orbital Pendant Earrings, a spectacular heirloom known for their dramatic design and dazzling craftsmanship.

The mid-20th-century earrings feature concentric clusters of round-cut diamonds in platinum, with each pendant centred around a brilliant stone encircled by smaller diamonds. 

Jewellery expert Zack Stone from Steven Stone spoke to Express and praised Kate’s choice, noting: “The Princess of Wales dazzled in a breathtaking pair of earrings that once belonged to Queen Elizabeth II. The floral pattern symbolises grace and renewal, while the orbit-like arrangement suggests unity, continuity, and the far-reaching influence of the crown.”

Stone estimated the earrings’ worth at around £100,000, though he emphasised their sentimental value far exceeds their carat weight. 

“A true emblem of regal sophistication, they’re perfectly suited for grand state occasions,” he added.

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