Kate Middleton debuted Princess Diana's diamond and pearl earrings on the BAFTA red carpet


The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge just walked the BAFTAs red carpet, and of course, while Prince William looked dapper in a black tuxedo and bow tie, all eyes were on Kate.
She turned heads in an almost white one-shoulder gown with ruffle shoulder detail by Alexander McQueen, which we couldn't help but compare to her actual wedding dress by the same designer.
It was just the right amount of ballgown, with a slightly more modern touch than you might expect.
However, it wasn't so much the dress that got everyone talking as her jewellery, and more specifically her earrings, which belonged to Princess Diana and haven't been seen since her death.
They consist of a single large pearl, dangling from a diamond cluster in an ornate shape.
We haven't seen the Duchess wear these until tonight, however Princess Diana wore them loads and they were considered to be one of her favourites.
Made of South Sea pearls, she debuted them at the Coronation Banquet of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan in November 1990. She subsequently wore them to her 1991 visit to Pakistan, and several other benefits.
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It's rather poignant that Kate wore them tonight, as the last time Princess Diana wore them (without the pearl earring) was to attend a performance of Swan Lake, in 1997, at the Royal Albert Hall, which is of course where the BAFTAs take place.
Penny Goldstone is the Contributing Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK. She writes about catwalk trends and the latest high street and Instagram sartorial must-haves. She also helms the Women Who Win franchise.
She has worked in fashion for over 10 years, contributing to publications such as Cosmopolitan, Red, Good Housekeeping, and Stylist.
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