Poignant meaning behind Kate Middleton’s five-strand pearl necklace on Holocaust Memorial Day

PRINCESS Kate paid tribute to Holocaust survivors last night in an emotional reception with Prince William.

As she reunited with survivors of the Nazi campaign, the Princess of Wales, 43, chose to wear a poignant piece of jewellery.

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The Princess of Wales opted to wear pearls as she attended a ceremony to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day[/caption]

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Princess Kate was seen wearing a five strand pearl necklace and earrings[/caption]

The royal mum-of-three wore a pair of pearl earrings, that belonged to the Queen, and a five-strand pearl necklace.

White pearls are the jewellery that is officially worn during the mourning period by the family.

They are often referred to as “mourning jewellery”, and this dates back to Queen Victoria’s reign.

Following the death of her husband Prince Albert, Queen Victoria famously wore black for 40 years in tribute.

The only jewellery she wore was black or colourless, and strands of pearls were a frequent feature.

The pearls were thought to be symbolic of tears, according to The Telegraph.

The tradition has continued among the royal family over the years, including at the funeral of the late Queen and Prince Philip.

Leslie Field, the author of The Queen’s Jewels, told PEOPLE: “Pearls are traditional for Queens going back one thousand years- there has never been a Queen who didn’t wear pearls.

“They were rare, beautiful and lustrous and the more you wear them, the more lustrous they become.”

By Kate choosing to wear pearls, you could have been commemorating and showing respect for the millions of people who died in the Holocaust.

Yesterday’s event marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the former Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.

During the reception, Kate embraced Holocaust survivors, including around 50 individuals who had endured the Nazi regime and subsequent genocides.

She also had a heartfelt reunion with Yvonne Bernstein and Stephen Frank – two Holocaust survivors she had photographed in 2020 as part of a project commemorating the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

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Catherine, Princess of Wales spoke to Rachell Levy at the commemoration[/caption]

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Kate looked smart in an all-black ensemble which paid respect to those who had endured the Nazi regime[/caption]

For the occasion, Kate looked elegant in a black coat paired with black wide-leg trousers and a black sweater.

During the reception at London’s Guildhall, Kate was seen catching up with Yvonne, with the two women holding hands as they spoke. Yvonne stroked the Princess’s arm and thanked her for attending.

Kate greeted the 87-year-old warmly, saying: “It’s so nice to see you.”

After learning that Yvonne had faced some recent health challenges, Kate added: “You’ve had such a hard time, haven’t you?”

In 2024, Kate underwent chemotherapy but has now revealed that she is in remission following her cancer battle. 

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Pearls are often used by the royal family as ‘mourning jewellery’. Pictured is Princess Kate during the funeral of Prince Philip in 2021[/caption]

She has been “forever changed” by her cancer treatment, according to a royal expert. 

Vanity Fair’s royal correspondent Katie Nicholl shared on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show: “She did a lot of running up and down the country, juggling that with the three children doing the overseas tours. 

“People would be quite surprised to learn just how hands on William and Catherine are as parents. 

“And I think this is just, well, it’s a wake up call, isn’t it? 

“This is a real reality check for her.”