India, Sept. 16 -- Kate Middleton, 43, made an emotional fashion statement at Katharine, Duchess of Kent's funeral service on September 16. The Duchess of Cambridge opted to finish off her classic black mourning outfit with a four-strand pearl choker adorned with a diamond clasp, as per People. The actual necklace was a former Queen Elizabeth II favorite, and the late queen herself first wore it to a 1983 state banquet in Bangladesh.

This choice carried added meaning; pearls have long been considered the royal family's gem of mourning. Princess Kate has made the piece her signature for somber occasions, having worn it at both Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral in 2022 and Prince Philip's funeral in 2021.

Kate's choice continues a centur...