Dressed in a smart black ensemble, mother-of-three Kate, 40, sported a chic pearl necklace as she appeared with husband Prince William, 40, on their way to the royal London home. It is believed that she may have worn the simple choice of jewelery in a sweet nod to the late monarch, who was known to prefer wearing pearls. Earlier today, the Queen’s coffin left St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh and was taken to RAF Northolt, before being taken to the palace, where it will spend the night. Senior royals, including the King and Queen, were seen heading to the palace to receive the Queen’s coffin. The Prince and Princess of Wales (pictured) on their way to Buckingham Palace to join other senior members of the Royal Family and receive the Queen’s coffin, which was flown from Edinburgh today Kate, who looked devastated as she headed into central London with her husband William, wore a pearl necklace and drop earrings. Her Majesty was a big fan of pearls, which are traditionally worn by royal women in mourning The Duchess, who was dressed in traditional mourning black, added a necklace with several strings of pearls, as well as pearl earrings. Pearls are often worn by royals in mourning, in a tradition dating back to Queen Victoria. It was also a favorite of the Queen, who regularly wore a pearl necklace, even after her husband Prince Philip’s death last year.
Arseiny Budrevich, founder of Budrevich Fine Jewelery Studio, told Express.co.uk that members of the royal family, notably Queen Elizabeth, loved pearls because they “represent the aristocratic virtues of liberality, magnificence and generosity” and “ they symbolize purity and chastity.” “Pearls have been associated with class, elegance and sophistication since the Ptolemaic dynasty in ancient Egypt, where the royal family wore pearls to show their status,” he added. “This tradition was then passed down through the Holy Roman Empire to the French monarchs who brought it into vogue in the Middle Ages, where it then spread across Europe. This was when the British Empire took up the style.’ King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla arrive at Buckingham Palace The car carrying Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex on their way to Buckingham Palace The state hearse carries the Queen’s coffin through the palace gates as the crowd erupts into cheers and applause The cortege carrying the coffin of the late Queen Elizabeth II heads to Buckingham Palace When the Queen arrived at Buckingham Palace for the last time this afternoon, she was greeted by members of the Royal Family, including the King, Queen, Princes William and Harry and their spouses Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle. Mourners cheered and clapped in the rain as the new state hearse traveled up Constitution Hill and around the Queen Victoria Memorial as it slowed, then drove through the palace gates and through the central arch into the square. Strangers stopped with bowed heads at the end of the journey while a policeman at the gate saluted. The crowd cheered “hip hip hooray” after the casket passed under the arch. Many on the street lowered their umbrellas as a mark of respect, while some could be seen wiping tears from their eyes as phone camera lights illuminated the crowds.
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Buckingham Palace Crowds gather outside Buckingham Palace, waiting to catch a glimpse of the Queen’s coffin Arriving at the Grand Entrance of the palace, a guard of honor was formed by the King’s Guard. Her Majesty was welcomed by all her children and grandchildren, including the King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Shortly after seeing the coffin arrive, Charles and Camilla left Buckingham Palace. The Queen will stay in the palace’s Bow Room overnight before moving to the Palace of Westminster, where she will lie in state until Monday 19 September – the day of her state funeral at Westminster Abbey and burial at St George’s Chapel in Windsor .