The Hidden Meaning Behind Kate Middleton's New Five-Strand Pearl Necklace

Kate Middleton wore a meaningful selection of jewelry to the Holocaust Memorial Day service in London, where she joined Prince William to honor the solemn occasion.

On Jan. 27, internationally observed as Holocaust Memorial Day, the Princess of Wales, 43, attended a ceremony commemorating the day and marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The event also marked her first public appearance since revealing on Jan. 14 that she is in remission from cancer — a poignant moment made even more significant by her thoughtful sartorial choices.

During the service, Prince William, 42, and Princess Kate met with Holocaust survivors and participated in a moving tribute. Dressed in an elegant all-black ensemble, the princess subtly conveyed her support through her jewelry. She wore Queen Elizabeth's Bahrain Pearl Drop Earrings, Princess Diana's tri-strand pearl bracelet and a new five-strand pearl necklace from luxury vintage jeweler Susan Caplan.

While the earrings and bracelet are cherished pieces from Kate’s royal collection, the necklace — a creation by the Jewish-owned brand — was a debut. Susan Caplan expressed gratitude for the princess’ choice, which carried both symbolic and cultural significance on such a meaningful day.

Related: Kate Middleton Makes Last-Minute Appearance with Prince William at Poignant Event: 'It's Good to Be Able to Be Here'

"Today marks 80 years since the Holocaust, and as a Jewish owned brand we are honored that the Princess of Wales chose to wear our necklace for today’s memorial to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day," the Susan Caplan team wrote on Instagram on Jan. 27, posting pictures of Princess Kate at the event.

Pearls were one of Queen Elizabeth's style signatures throughout her record reign and are historically traditional for mourning or remembrance events. Princess Kate recently pinned on her late grandmother-in-law's Bahrain Pearl Drop Earrings for the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph war memorial in November 2024, and brought them out of the vault once more on Monday.

Previously speaking to PEOPLE about the power of pearls, British jeweler British jeweler Claudia Bradby said the beauty of the stones is that they are subdued.

"Their power lies in the fact that they aren't overwhelming. It's a subtle and slightly restrained look and of course the connection to the Queen is incredibly strong," Bradby told PEOPLE.

"Since I first met Kate, she has worn pearls beautifully, and seems to have an ongoing love of pearls which has developed as her own style has too," added the designer, who once worked with Princess Kate in her pre-royal days when she was a buyer at Jigsaw while dating Prince William. "It's a very low-key luxury look and it tells a story — that's the beautiful thing about jewelry."

Related: Kate Middleton Has Emotional Reunion with Holocaust Survivors She Previously Photographed at Memorial Event

Princess Kate also thoughtfully nods to Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana any time that she wears their jewelry because it creates a tribute to her late grandmother-in-law or her mother-in-law she never got to meet.

Kate's most iconic jewels previously worn by Diana are undoubtedly her sapphire and diamond engagement ring (which was originally from the future King Charles, and the sparkler Prince William later proposed to Kate with) and the Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara, a go-to tiara for both women.

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While Princess Kate didn't have a tiara moment last year amid her step back from the spotlight while undergoing treatment for cancer (news she announced in March 2024), she shared in September that she completed chemotherapy and relayed with "relief" on Jan. 14 that she is in remission.

"She has drawn a line under the last year, and she can move forward," a close royal insider tells PEOPLE in this week's exclusive cover story. "The word 'remission' is such a positive one to use, and it just feels a veil has been lifted on their life of the last year, and that they can move forward with positivity and hope."

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