Catherine Middleton has shown grace and poise for as long as she\u2019s been together with Prince William. As the woman who is married to a future king and the mother of another, Middleton has ascended to a very prominent role within the \u00a0royal family<\/a>. Her position became much more active after she and William wed over ten years ago.<\/p>\n The entire world watched in 2011 when Prince William and Middleton wed in a beautiful ceremony at Westminster Abbey, London. The heavily publicized wedding prompted all kinds of celebrations, including street parties across England, William and Kate merchandise and plenty of speculation about how the \u00a0royal<\/a> couple would navigate their roles as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.<\/p>\n TourHistoric Castles<\/p>\n \n The couple is particularly prominent in the royal family given that William is next in line to the throne after his father,\u00a0King Charles III<\/a>, who ascended in 2022 after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, passed. At the time of their marriage, the couple had been together for eight years after they started dating when they were both students at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, where the two completed their undergraduate degrees.<\/p>\n A lot has happened since those early days, including the couple\u2019s official engagement announcement in 2010, followed by their wedding, which took place in 2011. Since then, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been busy with their children, George, Charlotte, and Louis.<\/p>\n Discover more<\/span><\/p>\n Take Sociology Courses<\/span><\/p>\n Design Custom Rings<\/span><\/p>\n Royal<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/ins><\/div>\n The family was recently seen all together at the various events honoring the late Queen in September 2022, where Middleton was again noted for her poise and, namely, her fashion choices.<\/p>\n Middleton<\/a>\u00a0has, since entering the spotlight and starting her family, become known for her kind and patient demeanor as well as her stylish fashions.<\/p>\n In 2021, following the death of\u00a0Prince Philip<\/a>, it appeared that the queen gave Middleton a \u201cseal of regal approval,\u201d according to royal commentator Daniela Elsner writing for\u00a0news.com.au<\/a>. The approval came in the form of a pearl necklace that Kate wore for Prince Philip\u2019s funeral, which was lent to her from the queen\u2019s own personal collection. Lending a piece of \u00a0jewelry<\/a> to Kate, and especially considering the occasion at which she wore it, says a lot about the queen\u2019s approval of Middleton.<\/p>\n TourHistoric Castles<\/p>\n \n Discover more<\/span><\/p>\n Jewelry<\/span><\/p>\n Design Custom Rings<\/span><\/p>\n Tour Historic Castles<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/ins><\/div>\n But it\u2019s not the first time she wore the iconic pearl choker with matching diamond and pearl drop earrings \u2014 Kate wore it several years ago in 2017 to commemorate the queen and Prince Philip\u2019s 70th wedding anniversary, which further adds to the meaning of her wearing it again for his funeral.<\/p>\n After the death of\u00a0Queen Elizabeth II<\/a>, Middleton again coordinated her outfit to honor the late royal as well as to pay homage to other members of the family. As she joined\u00a0William<\/a>\u00a0in the procession of the Queen\u2019s coffin to Westminster Abbey, the eyes of a mourning nation were on her and her family to see how they would present themselves during this difficult time.<\/p>\n Later, during the solemn, highly-publicized service, Middleton\u00a0wore<\/a>\u00a0an \u201call-black mourning ensemble: an ebony coat dress, a matching hat with a netted veil, stockings, pointed-toe heels, and a clutch.\u201d<\/p>\n apost.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In addition to this outfit, Middleton\u2019s choice of jewelry for the occasion was particularly notable. She chose two main pieces: a set of diamond-and-pearl drop earrings as well as a diamond-and-pearl brooch in the shape of three leaves. While the jewels are, of course, opulent and eye-catching on their own, anyone with a little bit of backstory on the royal family would have caught their special meaning.<\/p>\n ExploreTop Audiobooks<\/p>\n \n Discover more<\/span><\/p>\n Explore Top Audiobooks<\/span><\/p>\n earrings<\/span><\/p>\n Jewelry<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/ins><\/div>\n The silver leafed brooch previously belonged to Queen Elizabeth, who had gifted it to Middleton years earlier. Middleton had worn it once before, on a royal visit to Belgium in 2017, and fittingly included it on this memorable day.<\/p>\n The earrings Middleton chose also hold similarly hidden meanings. They belonged to another royal, and their appearance at the royal funeral speaks volumes about how carefully Middleton must\u2019ve picked her accessories. The pearls were famously worn by\u00a0Diana Spencer<\/a>, the People\u2019s Princess and mother to Middleton\u2019s husband William. Princess Diana wore the \u00a0earring<\/a> often, namely during a visit to Canada in 1983. Middleton has often, in inheriting her jewelry, used them as a way to honor Diana\u2019s memory.<\/p>\n![](\"\/\/image-2.apost.com\/media\/articletranslation\/2022\/09\/20\/14\/aebc7cbf9c76511cebbdb869eedb269d_500x1.jpg\")
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Prince William, Princess Catherine (2022), (Nariman El-Mofty – WPA Pool\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"apost\"](\"https:\/\/image-2.apost.com\/static\/img\/apost_logo.png\"){kind=logo}
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Princess Catherine, Prince William (2022), (Ben Stansall – WPA Pool\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n
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