Fashion editor Suzy Menkes recently called the Princess of Wales’ use of the royal jewellery collection a ‘disappointment’, bemoaning that she wears its pieces only ‘when she absolutely has to’.
But Kate raiding the royal vault solely for occasions such as state banquets is a considered move.
Her love of demi-fine and even costume jewellery — something previous royals would never wear — is all down to the ‘Kate effect’.
Whatever the Princess is snapped wearing flies off the shelves, and Kate chooses to wield this power to champion British brands.
Stylish: The Princess of Wales wearing Emily Mortimer earrings in October 2022
The past decade has seen the emergence of a bevy of female-founded, mid-market jewellery design outlets, and the Princess has been at the forefront of their success.
The future Queen wearing garnet earrings plated in gold? Unsurprising. Their price tag of just £55? I say! Here’s our edit of Kate’s go-to British bling brands.
Accessorize
Earrings, £16, accessorize.com
Ring, £10, accessorize.com
Earrings £10, accessorize.com
The iconic High Street shop favoured by tweens and grannies alike is a firm go-to for Kate: the Princess has worn Accessorize earrings four times.
One pair she wore for a museum trip in 2022 were just £2.10. Earrings cheaper than your average coffee — whoever said royals don’t love a bargain?
Its current collection of beaded earrings rival Oscar de la Renta’s.
Freya Rose
Earrings £125, freya rose.com
Earrings, £67.50, freyarose.com
Originally founded in 2010 as a shoe brand, founder Freya Rose made the pivotal decision to design a complementary line of jewellery when the pandemic hit shoe sales.
It was a risk that paid off. The Princess of Wales carried out her first engagement out of lockdown — a visit to Wolverhampton in May 2021 — wearing a pair of the brand’s mini pearl hoops (£125).
She since worn them twice more. Freya says: ‘Her Highness’s support earned us an influx of new recognition and sales in 2021, which turned what could have been a disastrous year into an extraordinary one of growth.
I was able to invest in the business’s marketing and wholesale development in ways that weren’t possible in the past, resulting in our online reach growing globally.’
Who can turn around a business by merely wearing a pair of the brand’s earrings? Only Kate.
Emily Mortimer
Electra earrings, £225, emilymortimer.co.uk
Founder Emily Foskett says: ‘I always design with the idea that my pieces are for women to wear for ever; to be timeless with a contemporary feel.’
In a fashion landscape dominated by throwaway culture, this is an ethos that no doubt appealed to Kate, who is no slave to a trend.
That said, Emily’s brand was born from the desire to create jewellery to suit the differing styles of her three sisters. Consequently, there’s something for everyone.
Classicists like the Princess will go for the diamond designs, while chrysoprase — a vibrant green gemstone — and topaz will tempt modernists.
Kate chose the Hera earrings (main picture) for a visit to a maternity unit in October 2022.
Named after the goddess of women and childbirth, they were an occasion-appropriate nod to female empowerment.
Astley Clarke
Jewellery, from £195, astley clarke.com
Pendant, £160, astleyclarke.com
Design, innovation and colour are the cornerstones of Astley Clarke.
Working mainly with gemstones — always semi-precious or precious — this is luxury jewellery made modern.
The brand’s price point is decidedly modern, too, based on its belief that jewellery shouldn’t be saved for special occasions.
For maximalists, there are gobstopper cocktail rings in riotous colours; for the more understated, small gemstone necklaces like the lapis pendant favoured by Kate — she’s worn it nine times since January 2021.
Monica Vinader
Jewellery, from £135, monica vinader. com
With head offices in Holkham, just up the road from the Wales’ Norfolk home at Anmer, Monica Vinader burst onto the scene in 2008 and revolutionised the way women buy jewellery.
Many of her pieces are gold vermeil — sterling silver layered with 18ct gold. This technique gives the appearance of pure gold but at a much lower price, and thus created a new niche in the market for ‘demi’ fine jewellery.
Suddenly, bling was democratised. Accessible and luxurious? It’san oxymoron the Princess of Wales is on board with.
The brand’s Nura pearl necklace (£125) is a favourite of Kate’s, while she’s worn its green Siren earrings (also £125) on repeat.
Auree
Bracelet, £95, auree jewellery. com
Earrings, £40, auree jewellery. com
Amelia Carmichael’s company is named after her grandmother, whose middle name, Auree, means ‘golden one’ in Italian.
And the name perfectly encapsulates the brand’s aesthetic: think dainty gold chains with flashes of colour.
The Princess of Wales’ pick? A necklace and pair of earrings featuring her January birthstone — she wore them in a Jubilee baking video.
Amelia called it a ‘wonderful surprise’, saying: ‘The Princess is a brilliant supporter of so many small British designers.
‘Not only is this hugely encouraging to young brands, many of which are run by women and mothers, but it gives such recognition and credibility to the British jewellery industry.’
Style, affordability and the feel-good factor of supporting an independent brand? Triple tick.
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