KATE MIDDLETON has worn some beautifully big jewels over the years, but which one was the most expensive and precious out of her collection? Kate Middleton has accumulated and borrowed some incredible jewellery over the years – mostly from the Royal Family’s collection. As she turns 40-years-old this weekend, Express.co.uk has taken a look at the Duchess of Cambridge’s most expensive items and diamond experts at Steven Stone jewellers have analysed the pieces.
In total, the value of the jewellery gifted and loaned to Kate over the years adds up to over £82million. She inherited six pieces from Princess Diana which are set to be worth a total of £16.5million. These include her sapphire engagement ring, the Saudi sapphire suite, Lover’s knot tiara, three-strand pearl bracelet, Collingwood earrings and South Sea pearl earrings.
Kate also has 10 pieces loaned or gifted by Queen Elizabeth, which are worth a grand total of £61.8million. Among these 10 items are the Queen Mary’s diamond choker, Cartier Halo tiara, Nizam of Hyderbad necklace, Maple Leaf brooch, New Zealand Fern brooch, and Royal Family Order brooch. The Bahrain Pearl earrings, Bahrain pearl choker, Dubai sapphire earrings, Ruby and diamond floral bandeau necklace are also included. As for what Prince William has gifted his wife, in 11 years of marriage and the few years prior when they officially dated, Kate has acquired nine pieces, worth £153,045.
The Olympic Cartier set, Ballon Bleu Cartier watch, Promise ring, Eternity band, Green tourmaline and amethyst earrings, shamrock brooch, personalised gold necklace, wedding band, and amethyst earrings are all off the Duke of Cambridge. Kate’s father-in-law, Prince Charles has also gifted her two items; a diamond bracelet and a yellow and white gold jewellery set together worth £403,045.
Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, on the other hand, has given Kate a gold charm bracelet worth £2,500. Kate also inherited one piece from the Queen Mother, Sapphire and diamond fringed earrings worth £23,000. As for Princess Margaret, Kate has worn her Lotus flower tiara said to be worth a whopping £4million. So which items are worth the most amount of money, and what is their history?
Nizam of Hyderabad necklace – £60million
The Queen’s Nizam of Hyderabad necklace is said to be one of the most expensive pieces of jewellery in the Royal Family’s collection. Experts said: “This is by far one of the most precious pieces of jewellery from the British royal family.
“The necklace, which was made by Cartier in 1935, is extremely intricate featuring over 50 diamonds nestled in an abstract floral design. “With an array of enormous pavé set stones and a detachable double-drop pendant, the necklace features 13 emerald and pear-shaped diamonds linked to a chain of a further 38 brilliant-cut stones. A piece like this is truly one of a kind.
“This unique necklace is likely to be worth around £65million to £70million making it one of the most valuable royal family pieces we’ve seen. “The necklace was a wedding gift to Princess Elizabeth from the Nizam of Hyderabad, who was known at the time as one of the wealthiest people in the world.
“It is believed that the Nizam of Hyderabad requested Cartier allow Queen Elizabeth II to choose anything she fancied from their impressive collection of jewels. “The Queen opted for a tiara with three detachable flower brooches and what we now know as the Nizam of Hyderabad Necklace,” they added.
Saudi sapphire necklace and earring suit – £15million
The second most expensive item in Kate’s collection and/or that she has borrowed is the Saudi sapphire necklace and earring suit.
Steven Stone’s expert said: “The sparkling suite consists of a diamond-and-sapphire necklace, a matching pair of earrings, a ring, and a bracelet, all of which were a wedding gift by the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. “This is an incredible jewellery suite, especially the necklace which is a real showstopper. “This sapphire in the necklace alone is around 30 to 35 carats which are almost treble the size of the stone in her engagement ring.” It is valued at £15million.
