Lady Diana on the one hand and the Queen Elizabeth on the other: Kate Middleton he did no wrong by paying homage to both the mother-in-law he never knew and the sovereign in choice of jewelry worn for official portraits released on the occasion of his fortieth birthday.
Made by Paolo Roversi, the three shots known so far (there is a fourth, said the photographer, still top secret) give space only to the future queen, who rightly takes the scene she deserves. Kate is now “painted” as an ethereal creature, in the first photo, classic pose of a sovereign, albeit contemporary, now like one of us, in the only portrait in color, or again in black and white, while emerging from a blur with very soft outlines, like Diana, again her, in a famous image by Mario Testino.
Kate Middleton and the Collingwood earrings
Of the mother-in-law from whom she will inherit the title of Princess of Wales, Kate already has some jewels. The Collingwood earrings, worn in the two black and white portraits, they have been among her favorites for years now.
Kate Middleton with Collingwood earrings. Left, in October 2018, at a reception at Buckingham Palace, paired with the Lover’s Knot Tiara, right in November 2021 (© Getty Images).
So called because purchased from Collingwood, a London jeweler, were a wedding gift from Charles to Diana; never give pearls to a bride, they say, but things would have gone badly even if the prince had opted for a diamond mine. Classic, pendant, are among the most used by Kate, who chooses them both for the most solemn day commitments, the last time was in November 2021, at Remembrance Sunday, which for gala evenings, often combined with Lover’s Knot Tiara, another exceptional piece of the Windsor house (it was given to Diana by Elizabeth II on the occasion of her marriage to Charles, other pearls, too many for anyone).
The Princess of Wales pearl bracelet
But that’s not all. Diana’s Kate also wears a bracelet with three strings of pearls. It is barely noticeable, on the right wrist, half hidden by the tulle of the skirt and, of course, the blue sapphire ring, a gift from William for the engagement.
Also in this case it was not a novelty: Middleton had already shown the bracelet on other occasions. The latest, also in November, on the occasion of Festival of Remembrancand, in which she had participated with her husband, father-in-law Carlo and Camilla of Cornwall.
Queen Elizabeth’s earrings
In the only color shot of the series, the Duchess of Cambridge chose, instead, another pair of earrings that are very dear to her, Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Frame Earrings, matched with the dress Anemones from Alexander McQueen’s Fall / Winter 2021 collection, revisited for the occasion.
It is a couple of dangle diamond earrings, framed, classic “evening”, with small central pendants; the sovereign has used them many times and continues to do so. No giftin short, at least for now, but only a loan.
With his choice, even a little smart, Kate has ideally united two women who have barely tolerated each other, each barricaded in her beliefs.. The former commoner, who with determination and commitment has managed to realize his own story, can calmly say that he has made it, on every front. And without public wars.
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