Duchess Catherine: She has access to valuable jewelry from the Queen

Duchess Catherine
She was allowed to wear one of the Queen’s most expensive pieces of jewellery

It’s no secret that Duchess Catherine is very popular with the British. But Queen Elizabeth is also said to think highly of the Duchess and grant her access to her most valuable pieces of jewellery.

Prince William, 40, and Duchess Catherine, 40, have long been considered the new favorites for the throne, not least because of Kate’s open, natural and modest nature. Even Queen Elizabeth, 96, is said to be a fan of the 40-year-old and grant her rare privileges . The Duchess of Cambridge can borrow one of the Queen’s most valuable pieces of jewelry for special occasions.

Duchess Catherine: This privilege is only hers

It’s not uncommon for members of the British royal family to borrow Queen’s jewelry. Kate’s privileges stand out in particular, however, because the monarch has granted Prince William’s wife access to one of her most valuable possessions: the “Nizam of Hyderabad” necklace. The necklace was presented to Queen Elizabeth as a wedding present in 1947 by the seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, ruler of the princely state of Hyderabad in India. He gave Elizabeth the necklace along with the “Hyderabad Tiara” for her wedding. The necklace alone is worth around 66 million pounds (equivalent to around 78,390,243 euros) and is still one of the most valuable pieces of jewelery in the Queen’s possession.

The “Nizam of Hyderabad” necklace is a piece of jewelry with floral ornaments, which is set with diamonds set in platinum. According to “Express” expert, the necklace consists of a long chain with 38 brilliant-cut diamonds with an oblong, oval, with brilliant-cut diamonds occupied clasp. The center of the necklace is set with a detachable double-tear pendant containing 13 emerald-cut diamonds and a pear-shaped teardrop.

According to reports, Queen Elizabeth, then still a princess, was allowed to choose her bridal gift herself and chose the necklace and matching flower tiara. She is not the first owner of the valuable piece of jewelry. Cartier made the necklace in 1935, sold it and reacquired it from the first buyer in 1936.

Duchess Catherine wears the Nizam of Hyderabad necklace

Kate wore the “Nizam von Hyderabad” necklace for the first time at the “Portrait Gala” in 2014. Despite Jenny Packham’s floor-length dream gown, the necklace immediately caught the eye.

Duchess Catherine borrowed the noble piece for a second time in 2019. At a diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace, she paired the luxurious necklace with an Alexander McQueen velvet dress and Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot tiara.

Sources used: Express.co.uk, thecourtjeweller.com

The article previously appeared on Gala.de