Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana's Kate Middleton Jewelry Collection Is Worth Over $100 Million, Which Is The Most Expensive Piece?

Kate Middleton has worn phenomenal jewelry since she became the Duchess of Cambridge. It all started with her famous sapphire engagement ring, which belonged to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana. Since then, Kate has worn a collection of pieces from both Diana and Queen Elizabeth that are worth more than $100 million in total. But, which piece is the most expensive?

Kate Middleton wore the Cartier Halo tiara on her wedding day

When Kate married Prince William in April 2011, she wore the Cartier Halo tiara worth an estimated $1.7 million. Taken from Queen Elizabeth, the tiara featured 739 brilliant-cut diamonds and 149 baguette-cut diamonds. It was originally a gift from King George VI to his wife, Queen Mary, in 1936.

The Queen Mother was only photographed once wearing the tiara and Queen Elizabeth never wore it in public. After that, it was worn by Princess Margaret and Princess Anne. However, the piece has become an iconic royal wedding tiara thanks to Kate.

Since Kate joined the royal family, Queen Elizabeth has lent her 10 pieces of jewelry worth more than $100 million. They include the Queen Mary diamond choker, maple leaf brooch, New Zealand fern brooch, Bahrain pearl earrings, Dubai sapphire earrings and a ruby ​​and diamond floral bandeau necklace.

Princess Diana wore the Cambridge Lover's Knot tiara

When Kate married William, she also inherited six pieces of Princess Diana's jewelry worth nearly $20 million. These included her sapphire engagement ring, the Saudi sapphire suite (worth nearly $15 million alone), a three-strand pearl bracelet, Collingwood earrings, and South Sea pearl earrings.

Kate also inherited the stunning Cambridge Lover's Knot tiara. Originally owned by the Queen Mother, she gave the tiara to Princess Diana as a wedding gift.

With its neo-gothic style and a beautiful array of diamonds and pearls, this piece is worth between 1 and 2 million dollars. The last time Kate wore it was in 2018 at the state banquet for King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.

Kate Middleton's most expensive jewel is worth millions

The most expensive piece of jewelry the Duchess of Cambridge has ever worn publicly is the Nizam of Hyderabad necklace. With an estimated value between $80 and $120 million. This magnificent piece belongs to Queen Elizabeth and is said to be one of the most expensive pieces of jewelry in the entire royal family collection.

“This is by far one of the most precious pieces of jewelery from the British royal family,” a diamond expert at Steven Stone Jewelers told Express.

"The necklace, which was made by Cartier in 1935, is extremely intricate and features more than 50 diamonds nestled in an abstract floral design."

Hyderabad's Nizam necklace is 'one of a kind'

The royal expert continued, saying the necklace features "an array of huge pave stones and a detachable double drop pendant." There are also "13 emerald and pear-shaped diamonds attached to a chain of 38 other brilliant-cut stones."

"A piece like this is truly unique," explained the jewelry expert. "The necklace was a wedding gift to Princess Elizabeth de Nizam of Hyderabad, who was known at the time as one of the richest people in the world."

Queen Elizabeth chose the Cartier necklace that Kate Middleton loves to wear

Then-Princess Elizabeth married Prince Philip in 1947. Legend has it that the Nizam of Hyderabad asked Cartier to let the future queen choose anything he wanted from her jewelry collection.

"The queen opted for a tiara with three detachable flower brooches and what we now know as the Nizam of Hyderabad necklace," the diamond expert explained.

As for the jewelry that Prince William has given Kate during their 11 years of marriage, he has reportedly given her nine different pieces worth nearly $200,000. They include an Olympic Cartier ensemble, a Ballon Bleu Cartier watch, amethyst earrings, and an eternity band.