Kate Middleton Wore the Queen’s Pearl Choker With a Hat and Black Dress for Her State Funeral

Kate Middleton arrived with her and Prince William’s two older children Prince George and Princess Charlotte for the Queen’s state funeral at Westminster Abbey—and the Princess of Wales made a point to honor the Queen with her attire. Kate paired a black dress and hat with the Queen’s statement choker, which as Hello! pointed out, Kate also wore to Prince Philip’s funeral last year. It’s a nice, subtle show of her admiration for Philip and Elizabeth and their love story.

Notably inside, Kate and Meghan showed a united front as well, standing together ahead of the service.

While Kate did not release her own statement following the Queen’s death, her husband addressed the Queen’s impact on Kate in his statement about his grandmother. William wrote, “My wife has had twenty years of her guidance and support. My three children got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives. She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life. knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real. I thank her for the kindness she showed my family and me.”

The Queen truly did serve as a mentor to Kate. As a source told Us Weekly in August 2020, “Her Majesty sees the Cambridges [Kate and William’s former titles, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge] as the future of the monarchy and trusts Kate and William’s judgment implicitly. Kate asks for advice about speeches she’s due to make, whom she can depend on most within the palace and protocol dos and don’ts. The queen’s more than happy to impart her wisdom—she’s proud to be Catherine’s go-to adviser about royal life.”