As she and the Prince of Wales approached Buckingham Palace to receive Her Majesty’s coffin, the Princess of Wales was captured paying a quiet homage to the Queen.
As she appeared with her husband Prince William, also 40, on their way to the royal London residence, mother-of-three Kate, 40, wore a chic pearl necklace. She may have chosen the understated jewelry option as a sweet homage to the late monarch, who was known to prefer pearl jewelry.
The Queen’s coffin traveled from St. Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh earlier today via plane to RAF Northolt, where it will spend the night.
Senior royals were seen making their way to the palace to receive the Queen’s coffin, including the King and Queen Consort.
The Duchess, who was fully attired in traditional black for mourning, also wore pearl earrings and a necklace with multiple strings of pearls. As part of a custom that dates back to Queen Victoria, royals frequently wear pearls during times of mourning.
Additionally, the Queen frequently wore a pearl necklace, even after her husband Prince Philip passed away last year. They were a firm favorite of hers.
According to Arseiny Budrevich, owner of Budrevich Fine Jewellery Studio, pearls “represent the aristocratic virtues of liberality, magnificence, and generosity” and “symbolize purity and chastity,” which are qualities that royals, particularly Queen Elizabeth, admired.
According to him, since the Ptolemaic dynasty in ancient Egypt, when the Royal Family wore pearls to signify their status, pearls have been linked to class, elegance, and sophistication.
This custom was then transmitted from the holy Roman empire to the French monarchs, who popularized it during the Middle Ages, whence it spread throughout Europe. At this point, the British Empire adopted the fashion.
The King, the Queen Consort, the Princes William and Harry and their wives Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle welcomed the Queen as she arrived at Buckingham Palace for the last time this evening.
The new state hearse drove through the gates of the palace, through the central arch into the quadrangle, and around the Queen Victoria Memorial as it slowed. Mourners applauded and clapped as it passed.
At the conclusion of the journey, outriders bowed their heads and a police officer at the gate saluted them.
Photo: Getty Images
After the coffin passed under the arch, the crowd shouted “hip hip hooray.” Many of the people lining the street put down their umbrellas out of respect, and some could be seen wiping tears from their eyes as the crowd was illuminated by phone camera flashes.
The King’s Guard formed a guard of honor as they approached the palace’s Grand Entrance.
All of Her Majesty’s offspring and grandchildren, such as the King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, greeted her. Charles and Camilla left Buckingham Palace soon after seeing the coffin arrive.
Photo: Rex
The Queen will spend her final night at Buckingham Palace in the Bow Room before being taken to the Palace of Westminster, where she will lie in state until Monday, September 19, the day of her state funeral at Westminster Abbey and burial at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor.
