Why Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle Wore Pearls to Mourn the Queen
, Kate Middleton, staring out from the car—dressed in black, a netted veil framing her bright blue eyes, a demure mask, given it was held at the heights of the pandemic when funeral numbers were limited to 30 mourners—and sheathed in pearls was one of the most famous photographs to be taken at the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral in 2021 (discounting that picture of the lonesome Queen at the end of a pew in Windsor Castle).The four strand pearl choker—first lent to Kate for the queen and Prince Philip’s 70th wedding anniversary in 2017—was a nod to her grandmother-in-law, but also Prince Philip and his marriage and service to the queen. Pearls, too, were a significant choice: they are often considered the royal choice for ‘mourning jewelry’—in a tradition that dates back to Queen Victoria’s era.