Princess Kate Puts a Modern Twist on an Iconic Queen Elizabeth II Fashion Moment

The Princess of Wales channeled her late grandmother-in-law's style to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's 100th birthday.

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Princess Kate Queen Elizabeth Birthday Party
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Princess Kate joined in on a family birthday celebration with some sentimental family jewelry, which is an understatement when the ‘family party’ is the late Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday celebration and the ‘sentimental family jewelry’ are a selection of the late Queen’s most beloved royal jewels. Buckingham Palace was full of Royal Family members, volunteers from the late Queen’s patronages, and other centenarians marking their own birthdays for a celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s historic reign.

The Princess of Wales channeled her late grandmother-in-law in a lavender dress, reportedly designed by Emilia Wickstead, accessorizing with Queen Elizabeth II’s iconic triple-strand pearl necklace and Bahrain pearl drop earrings. The pastel purple hue looked like it was taken straight from the late monarch’s closet, featuring expert tailoring in a classically-cut style. The bright hue was easily spotted amongst the sea of guests, echoing the late Queen’s sentiment that she must be seen to be believed.

Catherine, Princess of Wales talks with guests as she attends a reception on the 100th anniversary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II on April 21, 2026. (Photo by Aaron Chown - Pool/Getty Images)

Princess Kate attends a celebration for Queen Elizabeth II's 100th birthday.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II on June 14, 2012 in Stevenage, England.

An iconic photograph of Queen Elizabeth II in 2012.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Princess Kate and Prince William, Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace, on the 100th anniversary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II, on April 21, 2026. (Photo by Aaron Chown - Pool/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Bahrain pearl earrings—a wedding gift for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s 1947 wedding—were a romantic and sentimental favorite of the late Queen’s, before she personally passed them on to be used by the Princess of Wales around 2016. The triple-strand pearl necklace was a wardrobe staple for Queen Elizabeth, one that she wore (almost) every day. "She wasn't interested in material things at all,” the Queen's former assistant private secretary, Sam Cohen, told People. “She wore the same pearl necklace every day.”

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While mingling with guests, the Princess of Wales looked incredibly regal as she brought a smile to the faces of many in attendance. The King led partygoers in a joyful rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ as they celebrated Queen Elizabeth II’s historic reign and remarkable life. In a statement made by The King earlier in the day, he hoped the party would celebrate “a life well-lived, and a legacy of hope, as we strive together towards a ‘better, happier tomorrow’—one rooted in peace, justice, prosperity and security.”

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Christine Ross
Christine Ross
Writer

Christine Ross is a freelancer writer, royal expert, broadcaster and podcaster. She's worked with news outlets including the BBC, Glamour, Talk TV, ET, PBS, CNN and 20/20 to cover the foremost royal events of the last decade, from Prince George’s birth to the coronation of King Charles III.

She previously served as co-host of Royally Us, a weekly royal podcast by Us Weekly. As a freelance writer and royal commentator she provides expert commentary, historical context and fashion analysis about royal families worldwide, with an emphasis on the British Royal Family.