![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RBU6ZSTEAXY5BYWD2CDON4KRSA.jpg?smart=true&auth=2532cfed85e219305d14e9ff3f4333d91836e9bba6e52204618ab4ef07ee2671&width=400&height=225)
Catherine, Princess of Wales, wears pearl earrings as she and other Royals view the flowers left in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6OHAIQNWWFCZPEIEIUYBBPNZK4.jpg?smart=true&auth=6e70a72425e589e300414429ec9e30e8b8d386ed5c801ade2026ac140de93dd8&width=400&height=225)
Diana, Princess of Wales wore a necklace with a single white pearl at the funeral of Princess Grace of Monaco in 1982. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OXW4NL4P35FNTMYPMXMVXTAOMU.jpg?smart=true&auth=a262c9672d7264626378e467c664e913a50fdfac6f4e576b218bd5843d814037&width=400&height=225)
Catherine, now Princess of Wales, wearing a four-strand pearl necklace at the funeral of Prince Philip in 2021. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6I24PX4355EUZOCZ4HQYTSGEF4.jpg?smart=true&auth=a980fbe758b40ac67af03b86ec0628b38914623c23800b565664a3bd721a0b1e&width=400&height=225)
Former British prime ministers Theresa May and John Major, with Patricia Janet Scotland, Baroness Scotland of Asthal, arrive ahead of the proclamation of King Charles III. Both May and Scotland wore pearls for the ceremony. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VLUWMWGI3NC4JCNOG2C6XC5YGU.jpg?smart=true&auth=eed0185575aa19428e8bf18ad55973863b1c43703feb58d3b43d293ab1d7d125&width=400&height=225)
For the funeral service of the Duke of Windsor, formerly King Edward VIII on June 3, 1972 at Windsor Chapel, Queen Elizabeth II (left) is seen wearing pearls, as is the Duchess of Windsor and Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BCNZGA34YFH5FJWDFGT4OVVHXQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=3517c1b63f5fd3c2a4545d5a061ee31de7e2ca0cce91fd784dacc6d2d66d008c&width=400&height=225)
Queen Victoria mourned the death of her husband Prince Albert for almost 40 years, until her death in 1901. She established the tradition of wearing pearls as a sign of mourning. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NPTQOQVN6RCTBITKKO3XO4WDOQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=fbc82a366b84fe432f4cff68086716eaa594af546f90c8fe49d131f18ed8a218&width=400&height=225)
In pearl earrings, Camilla, Queen Consort, greets members of the crowd along the Mall, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 10, 2022. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RBU6ZSTEAXY5BYWD2CDON4KRSA.jpg?smart=true&auth=2532cfed85e219305d14e9ff3f4333d91836e9bba6e52204618ab4ef07ee2671&width=400&height=225)
Catherine, Princess of Wales, wears pearl earrings as she and other Royals view the flowers left in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6OHAIQNWWFCZPEIEIUYBBPNZK4.jpg?smart=true&auth=6e70a72425e589e300414429ec9e30e8b8d386ed5c801ade2026ac140de93dd8&width=400&height=225)
Diana, Princess of Wales wore a necklace with a single white pearl at the funeral of Princess Grace of Monaco in 1982. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OXW4NL4P35FNTMYPMXMVXTAOMU.jpg?smart=true&auth=a262c9672d7264626378e467c664e913a50fdfac6f4e576b218bd5843d814037&width=400&height=225)
Catherine, now Princess of Wales, wearing a four-strand pearl necklace at the funeral of Prince Philip in 2021. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6I24PX4355EUZOCZ4HQYTSGEF4.jpg?smart=true&auth=a980fbe758b40ac67af03b86ec0628b38914623c23800b565664a3bd721a0b1e&width=400&height=225)
Former British prime ministers Theresa May and John Major, with Patricia Janet Scotland, Baroness Scotland of Asthal, arrive ahead of the proclamation of King Charles III. Both May and Scotland wore pearls for the ceremony. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VLUWMWGI3NC4JCNOG2C6XC5YGU.jpg?smart=true&auth=eed0185575aa19428e8bf18ad55973863b1c43703feb58d3b43d293ab1d7d125&width=400&height=225)
For the funeral service of the Duke of Windsor, formerly King Edward VIII on June 3, 1972 at Windsor Chapel, Queen Elizabeth II (left) is seen wearing pearls, as is the Duchess of Windsor and Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BCNZGA34YFH5FJWDFGT4OVVHXQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=3517c1b63f5fd3c2a4545d5a061ee31de7e2ca0cce91fd784dacc6d2d66d008c&width=400&height=225)
Queen Victoria mourned the death of her husband Prince Albert for almost 40 years, until her death in 1901. She established the tradition of wearing pearls as a sign of mourning. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NPTQOQVN6RCTBITKKO3XO4WDOQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=fbc82a366b84fe432f4cff68086716eaa594af546f90c8fe49d131f18ed8a218&width=400&height=225)
In pearl earrings, Camilla, Queen Consort, greets members of the crowd along the Mall, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 10, 2022. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RBU6ZSTEAXY5BYWD2CDON4KRSA.jpg?smart=true&auth=2532cfed85e219305d14e9ff3f4333d91836e9bba6e52204618ab4ef07ee2671&width=400&height=225)
Catherine, Princess of Wales, wears pearl earrings as she and other Royals view the flowers left in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II. AFP
Why do British royals wear mourning jewellery? The historical significance of pearls
Both the Princess of Wales and Queen Consort Camilla have worn pearl jewellery in the days following the death of Queen Elizabeth
Sarah Maisey
12 September, 2022
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