How Kate Middleton Is Using Jewelry to Show She's Ready to Be Queen

It’s almost a wrap on what’s been the “toughest year” the royals have ever had, due to both Kate Middleton and King Charles undergoing treatment for cancer in the public eye, as well as Queen Camilla’s lingering health issues. With one final highly-anticipated public appearance–their annual walk to church at Sandringham–on the schedule, the future of the monarchy may still be on the family’s minds. As Charles continues to battle cancer in the new year, royal experts say Kate and Prince William are ready to step up to the plate if needed–and there have already been secret signs that they’ve been getting ready for their future roles as king and queen all year.

With her chemotherapy treatment behind her, the Princess of Wales made several royal appearances in the final months of 2024, stepping out at the Festival of Remembrance alongside Prince William and Remembrance Sunday, as well as hosting her annual Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey. Kate also returned to her forward-facing international royal duties as she accompanied the rest of the senior royals to welcome the Emir of the State of Qatar and his wife in early December.

Kate’s outfits, as well as the meaningful jewelry pieces she chose–usually family heirlooms with ties to Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana–quickly garnered attention. And according to Hugo Vickers, a royal historian and friend of the family, choosing these statement accessories was 100% intentional.

“Catherine is as ready as she will ever be to be queen,” Vickers told Page Six, noting, “We’re starting to see the nods to the family line” with Kate’s curated jewelry choices. “It’s a dynasty moment and shows she’s conscious at some point of really stepping into the most senior role of queen.”

She recently greeted the Qatari royal family wearing an iconic pearl and diamond choker necklace, a priceless piece from Queen Elizabeth’s jewelry collection that was also worn by Princess Diana, to send a message. Kate also frequently wears the late monarch’s diamond and pearl earrings (a 1947 gift from the ruler of Bahrain).

Bethan Holt, fashion director at the UK Daily Telegraph, also argued that Princess Kate’s current jewelry choices foreshadow her future role as queen, but that her more casual demeanor this year also signifies a more relaxed future monarchy. She cited Middleton's March video announcing she had cancer, saying it showed “who she really is as a person, away from all the royal fanfare and the pomp.”

Kate hasn't been the only one making chances, as a royal insider also told the publication that there has “been a real change this year from Wiliam and Kate.” They added, “Their openness is fresh, they leaned into that, and I do think it’s really resonated with people. They have a long game ahead and it would be inauthentic to pretend everything’s OK.”

The insider also noted that this change has been seen in how the couple communicate with their constituents. “You’ve not been hearing from a Kensington Palace spokesperson, you’ve heard directly from Catherine,” they said. “It’s a real step forward that they are speaking directly to the public. You are hearing more of her voice and that will only continue, I’m sure.”

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