What is the story behind Kate Middleton’s Holocaust Memorial pearl necklace? Here is how the princess brings fashion in tradition

The Princess of Wales has once again demonstrated her knack for wearing jewelry steeped in symbolism. On Monday, Kate Middleton attended a Holocaust Memorial Day service in London, where she unveiled a stunning vintage five-strand faux pearl necklace.

The necklace, sourced from renowned vintage jeweler Susan Caplan, dates back to the 1980s and features pearls of varying sizes with a Swarovski crystal-embellished clasp. The piece, priced at $341, was more than just a fashion choice—it carried significant meaning for the event, which marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau during World War II.

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A post shared by Susan Caplan (@susancaplan)

Susan Caplan, a Jewish-owned brand, expressed their honor on Instagram, sharing a photo of Middleton wearing the necklace at the ceremony. “Today marks 80 years since the Holocaust, and as a Jewish-owned brand, we are honored that the Princess of Wales chose to wear our necklace for today’s memorial,” read the caption.


Fans of both the brand and the princess flooded the comment section with heartfelt messages, praising the choice. Comments like “So proud and incredibly emotional seeing this” reflected the emotional weight of the occasion.

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A post shared by Catherine Princess of Wales (@katemiddletonprincessofwales)

A Royal Connection to Pearls

Middleton paired the necklace with Bahrain pearl drop earrings, a piece passed down from the late Queen Elizabeth II. Pearls hold a longstanding association with mourning in the royal family, dating back to Queen Victoria, who wore them after the death of her husband, Prince Albert, in 1861.

The Princess of Wales’ thoughtful ensemble served not only as a tribute to the lives lost during the Holocaust but also as a nod to the continuity of royal traditions.

While the ceremony was a somber occasion, Middleton’s appearance also marked a personal milestone. Earlier this month, the princess revealed she is in remission from cancer, just four months after completing treatment.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, she shared a photo from her visit to The Royal Marsden Hospital, where she had received treatment. “I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to The Royal Marsden for looking after me so well during the past year,” Middleton wrote.

She expressed relief at her remission and acknowledged the ongoing process of recovery, saying, “As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal.”