5 of Kate Middleton’s most expensive royal jewellery, from Princess Diana’s engagement ring given to her by Prince William to Queen Elizabeth’s Cartier Halo Scroll Tiara borrowed for her wedding day

Jan 25 , 2023

Kate Middleton has worn some of the most beautiful heirlooms in the royal jewellery collection. Photos: Getty Images, WireImage

The Duchess of Cambridge has access to some of the most extravagant bling from the royal jewellery collection, like the jaw-dropping US$80 million Nizam of Hyderabad necklace designed by Cartier

She’s worn the Delhi Durbar emerald choker, which was originally a gift from the Maharani of Patiala to Queen Mary, and donned the Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara that once belonged to Princess Diana

Being part of the British royal family has many privileges – one of them being having access to the royal vault. Over the past decade, Kate Middleton has made headlines for her impeccable styling every time she graces a social event or a gala dinner with stunning jewels, many of which are royal heirlooms.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and United States secretary of the treasury, Steven Mnuchin arrive through the East Gallery for a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace in June 2019, in London, England. Photo: Getty Images

Here are five of the most expensive jewellery pieces the Duchess of Cambridge has been spotted wearing.

1. Nizam of Hyderabad necklace – over US$80 million

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends The Portrait Gala 2014: Collecting to Inspire wearing the Nizam of Hyderabad necklace at National Portrait Gallery in February 2014, in London, England. Photo: Getty Images

Jewellery aficionados would know that the Nizam of Hyderabad necklace is one of the royal’s most expensive pieces. With an estimated price of more than US$80 million, the Cartier-designed necklace was gifted to Queen Elizabeth (then Princess Elizabeth) as a wedding gift from the Nizam in 1947, per British media. In the book The Queen’s Diamonds, the detachable necklace was described to have 38 brilliant-cut open-back collets, 13 emerald-cut diamonds and a sparkling centre diamond piece in a pear shape.

The 41-year-old duchess was first seen donning the extravagant accessory during the Portrait Gala in 2014, per The Court Jeweller.

2. Delhi Durbar emerald choker – US$20 million

Kate Middleton attends The Earthshot Prize at MGM Music Hall at Fenway in December 2022, in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: WireImage

Not everyone can pull off bright green, but Middleton did when she attended the Earthshot Prize 2022 wearing a maxi dress in the eye-catching hue paired with the Delhi Durbar emerald choker. According to Regal Fille, the choker is worth US$20 million, and was originally a gift from the Maharani of Patiala to Queen Mary. Previously a 16-cabochon emerald choker, the sparkling piece was modified and currently has 14 cabochon emeralds set in platinum, reports the same source.

3. Cartier Halo Scroll Tiara – US$1.5 million

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge waves as she travels in the 1902 State Landau carriage on the procession route along The Mall to Buckingham Palace after her wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey in April 2011, in London, England. Photo: Getty Images