It could be argued that Queen Elizabeth II was once a bourgeoning fashion influencer and sustainable style savant.
Despite the Queen tragically passing in 2022, we can’t help but look back at all the times gave new meaning to the phrase “keeping it in the family” by lending, upcycling and reworking some of her most iconic accessories to her noble relatives.
From pieces that were passed down to Her Majesty from fellow kings and queens to gifts from world leaders, the royal jewellery collection is one of the world’s most spectacular (and something to be admired). Luckily her relatives get to try on these stunning pieces, too.
The late Princess Diana was an avid fan of donning the Queen’s jewels for public appearances, a trait Kate Middleton and the Queen’s granddaughter Princess Beatrice has seemingly picked up on too.
Below, behold every royal who has looked to the Queen’s vintage collection for their own use.
Princess Beatrice
For her wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Princess Beatrice chose two of her grandmother’s archived pieces. The royal opted for a short-sleeved gown, a vintage design from Norman Hartnell, that originally belonged to Queen Elizabeth II.
She paired the dress with a mid-length veil and the Queen Mary diamond fringe tiara, which the Queen wore to her own wedding to Prince Philip in 1947, and to various royal events over the course of her life.
Princess Diana
King Khalid of Saudi Arabia gifted this diamond and platinum necklace to Queen Elizabeth in 1979, and she’s worn it frequently. While pregnant with Prince William, Princess Diana attended an event at the Barbican Centre in 1982 wearing the loaned piece.
Princess Anne
The Cartier Halo Tiara is one of the families most well-known pieces. It was made in 1936 and purchased by King George VI for his wife just before her took the throne. The iconic tiara was designed by Cartier and the diamond ‘halo’ is made up of 16 graduated scrolls, set with 739 brilliants and 149 baton diamonds. While Queen Elizabeth has never worn it in public, it has been worn by many other royal women—including Princess Margaret, Kate Middleton on her wedding day and Princess Anne.
Kate Middleton
The Duchess of Cambridge regularly turns to Queen Elizabeth’s jewels for major royal occasions, including the Nizam of Hyderabad necklace. Per HELLO!, “The Nizam of Hyderabad, then one of the richest men in the world, gave the Queen the ultimate wedding gift: anything she wanted at Cartier. That included a floral tiara and necklace to match. Kate got to wear the dazzling piece at a National Portrait Gallery event in 2014.
Once again proving that elegance is timeless, Kate Middleton opted to borrow the very regal Greville Ruby Floral Bandeau Necklace at the Spanish State Banquet back in 2017.
Much to the surprise of Royal onlookers, Kate revived this piece from the Queen’s archives, brining back a style that hadn’t been seen in public for over 30 years. The necklace was originally a wedding present for Queen Elizabeth from her parents, King George VI and the Queen Mother.
