Jewellery tributes to Prince Philip: Kate Middleton wears Queen's Bahraini pearls to funeral

While the focus was not on fashion, a number of touching tributes were made to the Duke of Edinburgh through style choices

The Duchess of Cambridge wore Bahraini pearls to Prince Philip's funeral, a wedding present given to Queen Elizabeth II in 1947; the Queen wore a brooch, given to her grandmother, Queen Mary, in 1893. Getty ImagesShow less

The British royal family came together on Saturday to give Prince Philip a fitting farewell, a celebration of his 99 years while mourning his death.

For the funeral, which took place at Windsor Castle, 30 family members arrived, all dressed in black, the colour associated with mourning.

The focus was certainly not on fashion, however, like many royal occasions, there were poignant tributes to the Duke of Edinburgh made through a number of the sartorial choices on the day.

Duchess of Cambridge's Bahraini pearls 

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge stands at the Galilee Porch of St George's Chapel during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on Saturday. Getty Images

The Duchess of Cambridge wore a pearl necklace and earrings with her custom black Catherine Walker coat.

Both items were loaned to the duchess by Queen Elizabeth II. The four-row pearl choker was a gift from the Japanese government, and the monarch has worn it in the past. It was also loaned to Princess Diana for a banquet in November 1982.

Most touchingly, the earrings feature Bahraini pearls, which were gifted to the queen by the Hakim of Bahrain when she married Prince Philip in 1947.

The Princess of Wales wears the Queen's four-row pearl choker in November 1982. Reuters

The queen, then Princess Elizabeth, was given seven large pearls as a wedding present, two of which were turned into the earrings sported by the duchess.

They are drop earrings, each with a large diamond stud, suspended with four smaller diamonds and three baguette diamonds, with the pearl at the bottom. They, too, were worn by Princess Diana in the past.

Queen Elizabeth II's brooch 

Queen Elizabeth II watches as pallbearers carry the coffin of Prince Philip, Duke Of Edinburgh into St George’s Chapel. Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II's choice of brooch for the ceremony had a poignant history.

Named pearl-drop Richmond Brooch, it was a wedding present given to the queen's grandmother, Queen Mary, in 1893 from the town of Richmond, located in Greater London.

It features a large round centre pearl, with a detachable pear-shaped pearl drop.

In 1953, the queen inherited a number of her grandmother's pieces of jewellery. She has been known to wear it both with and without the pearl drop.

For Prince Philip's funeral, she wore it without the detachable pear-shaped pearl.

Duchess of Cornwall's commemorative brooch

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, paid tribute to her father-in-law with a commemorative brooch.

She wore the Bugle Horn brooch of The Rifles on the lapel of her black coat, which commemorates the regiment the Duke of Edinburgh was associated with for 70 years.

The Duchess of Cornwall waits during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Getty Images

In July, the duchess took on the role of Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles, which was transferred to her following the retirement of Prince Philip.

She wore the same brooch for the official photos she took, marking her new role in November 2020.

According to Clarence House, the silver Bugle Horn is "central to the heritage of the Regiment and every Rifleman wears a silver bugle as their cap badge".