Kate Middleton wore the Queen Mother's 103-year-old amethyst sautoir necklace at the London premiere of Tom Cruise's new movie Digger on Sept. 22.
Joined by her husband Prince William for a date night, the Princess of Wales paired the historic piece of jewelry with teardrop pearl earrings and a plunging, royal purple gown complete with a billowy skirt by Jenny Packham.
The event marked the first time Kate had ever worn the sautoir. The necklace features a heart-shaped pendant framed in diamonds hanging from strands of pearls.
History of the Queen Mother Sautoir
The amethyst sautoir had not been seen in public since 2012, when Queen Camilla, then known as the Duchess of Cornwall, wore it to the premiere of Skyfall. The wife of King Charles III donned the bauble with a plum, off-shoulder evening gown made from velvet.
The Queen Mother's amethyst sautoir was first presented to Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, later known as Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, by her future mother-in-law Queen Alexandra in 1923.
The necklace was put on display during her wedding to Prince Albert, who would later become King George VI, at Buckingham Palace. It then remained in the vault for years, with jeweler records showing that the Queen Mother added the piece to her mourning wardrobe when Alexandra died in 1925.
Royal Tiaras and Archive Treasures
Kate, who is mother to children Prince George, 13, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince George, 8, with William, has worn several other pieces once beloved by the Queen Mother in recent years.
In 2023, she sported the late royal's Strathmore Rose tiara, making it the first time the headpiece had been worn in over 90 years. Kate has also worn the Queen Mother's Lotus Flower tiara to three separate state banquets in 2013, 2015 and 2022.
Formal State Gowns and Tiaras
Kate's formal appearances have frequently featured regal headpieces and elegant dresses. For a Diplomatic Corps reception at Buckingham Palace in December 2022, the Princess of Wales styled a sparkly Jenny Packham gown with Queen Elizabeth II's Royal Family Order badge, the sash and star of the Royal Victorian Order, diamond frame earrings, a diamond Art Deco brooch and the Lotus Flower Tiara.
Shortly after succeeding to the Princess of Wales title in 2022, Kate wore a stunning Jenny Packham gown with Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara to a state dinner.
She chose a white gown by Alexander McQueen, the designer who created her iconic wedding dress, for a state banquet with Steven Mnuchin in 2019. She also wore a white McQueen gown for the 2019 BAFTA Awards, and donned a sparkly Jenny Packham gown with sheer cap sleeves and clusters of sequins for a 2018 diplomatic reception.
Reworn Favorites and Special Events
The royal is known for wearing standout designs on multiple occasions. She last wore a white Barbara Casasola gown at the 2016 Art Fund awards after wearing it previously.
For the 2018 Tusk Conservation Awards, Kate wore an aquamarine Jenny Packham gown that she had worn before, paired with diamond chandelier earrings, a matching clutch and Jimmy Choo pumps.
For royal weddings and joint appearances, Kate has chosen bold colors. She wore an all-fuchsia ensemble including a dress and matching fascinator from Alexander McQueen for Princess Eugenie's 2018 wedding. Beside Meghan Markle's royal blues in 2018, Kate's monochromatic royal red outfit made a major impact.
During the royal family's walk to church on Christmas morning in 2025, her color palette was muted as she returned to the annual tradition after celebrating the holiday privately with Prince William and their kids the previous year.
Daywear and Public Engagement Style
Kate's public engagement wardrobe ranges from sharp tailored suits to colorful dresses. In January 2019, she took a stroll with Prince William in a coat dress, matching hat and black pumps. She also chose a magenta outfit for a visit to The Royal Opera House in 2019.
For charitable causes, she often wears vibrant tones. She wore an Eponine London dress for Children's Mental Health Week in 2019, an emerald dress for an event with Family Action Charity in 2019, and a blue dress while watching a flypast for the centenary of the Royal Air Force in 2018.
When taking the army's salute in 2019, Kate wore a Catherine Walker coat dress paired with a matching clutch and shoes. In the presence of Queen Elizabeth II in 2019, she wore a pink coat dress by Alexander McQueen and a fascinator by Juliette Botterill.
Smart Casual and Tailored Ensembles
Her tailored wardrobe includes matching sets and traditional patterns. She wore a matching blazer and skirt combo to The Royal Foundation's Mental Health in Education conference in 2019, and a Q by McQueen green and blue tartan coat dress during a visit to Scotland in 2019.
For casual garden visits, she wore a tweed jacket and boots at Islington Community Garden in 2019, and a whimsical dress from British label Erdem for the 2019 Chelsea Flower Show.
Her 2018 engagements included a fitted blue sheath dress with nude heels and clutch at the Imperial War Museum, and a blue coat dress with navy pumps and a black clutch for the opening of McLaren Automotive's Composites Technology Centre. She also wore a burgundy accented Erdem check print dress with a matching clutch and heels to a 2018 event.
Seasonal and Specialty Wardrobe
Kate's seasonal looks highlight classic coats and autumn colors. She attended a 2018 Remembrance Day service in a dark green coat with button detailing and a velvet trim collar, cuffs and pockets, paired with a fuzzy headband and black clutch. For a 2018 visit to the UCL Developmental Neuroscience Lab in London, she wore a burgundy Paule Ka blazer and skirt set with a black turtleneck, tights and heels.
Her festive holiday style includes a green and white L.K. Bennett polka dot dress with a khaki clutch and matching heels during a 2018 visit to Evelina London Children's Hospital, and a festive plaid Emilia Wickstead skirt paired with a black Brora cardigan and slouchy black high-heel boots for a 2018 holiday party.
For overseas and specialized events, she wore a forest green Smythe blazer paired with navy trousers and a white shirt for an official visit to RAF Akrotiri in 2018. She also wore a purple Emilia Wickstead dress with nude heels and an Aspinal leather handbag for a 2018 mental health summit.
