Celebrity

Kate Middleton wears Queen Alexandra’s Three Feathers Brooch for the first time

The Princess of Wales sported some head-turning jewels, namely the Prince of Wales Feathers Brooch and Princess Diana's pearl and diamond drop earrings, at the Horse Guards Parade today in London

By Joshua Hendren

Catherine, Princess of Wales, paid a touching tribute to her late mother-in-law today at the official welcome ceremony at London’s Horse Guards Parade

Attending the occasion alongside Prince William and South African President Cyril Ramaphos, Kate looked resplendent in an Emilia Wickstead coat dress. But, it was Kate’s jewellery choices that eyes fixated upon, including a piece she has previously never worn before. 

Kate Middleton wearing Queen Alexandra's Three Feathers Brooch
Catherine, Princess of Wales during the Ceremonial Welcome on Horse Guards Parade on November 22, 2022 in London, England (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)

For the first time, the Princess of Wales opted for Queen Alexandra’s Three Feathers Brooch, originally a wedding gift to Princess Alexandra of Denmark from the Ladies of North Wales when she married the Prince of Wales (who would later become King Edward VII) in 1863.

Kate Middleton wearing Queen Alexandra's Three Feathers Brooch
Catherine, Princess of Wales arrives for the ceremonial welcome of the President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa at Horse Guards Parade on November 22, 2022 in London (Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Made up of 18 brilliant-cut diamonds encircled by tiny emeralds, the brooch includes the emblematic Prince of Wales ostrich feathers and a scroll inscribed with the Prince of Wales’ motto “Ich Dien” (German for “I serve“). She paired the brooch with Princess Diana’s diamond and pearl drop earrings.

Princess Diana wearing Queen Alexandra's Three Feathers Brooch
Diana, Princess of Wales attends a gala performance of ‘Love For Love’ at the Vienna Burgh Theatre on April 14, 1986 in Vienna, Austria (Photo by Anwar Hussein/WireImage)

Upon Queen Alexandra’s death in 1925, the brooch passed to the Queen Mother, who would eventually gift the piece to Princess Diana to celebrate her engagement to Charles, then Prince of Wales. She wore it as a pendant on multiple occasions, including a visit to Austria in 1986.

Queen Camilla wearing Queen Alexandra's Three Feathers Brooch
Camilla, Queen Consort, attends the film premiere of ‘The History Boys’ at the Odeon cinema in Leicester Square on October 2, 2006 in London (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images) 

After Princess Diana’s tragic death in 1997, the jewellery returned to Queen Elizabeth II’s collection. In the 2000s, Camilla, now the Queen Consort, began wearing the brooch, such as here in 2006 at the film premiere of the British comedy-drama The History Boys.

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