Smiling Kate Middleton Rewears Her Wedding Earrings for the Order of the Garter Ceremony

The British royal family began one of its busiest weeks of the year with the annual Order of the Garter ceremony at Windsor Castle, following the previous weekend’s Trooping the Colour celebrations for the monarch’s birthday. The event marked another major appearance for the Windsor family before the start of Royal Ascot in Berkshire.

The ceremony opened with the appointment of new members to the Order of the Garter, the oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry in Britain. Although no public reference was made to it during the ceremony, a place had become available in 2025 after the fall from royal standing of Andrew, the former prince, whose ties to Jeffrey Epstein continued to shadow his public role.

As tradition requires, King Charles, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, Prince William, and Prince Edward took part in the procession to St. George’s Chapel. They wore the ceremonial robes of the order, including dark blue velvet capes, red sashes, and black hats decorated with white feathers, reflecting the long-established pageantry associated with the event.

The procession was watched by Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. Neither woman is yet a member of the order, but both are regular attendees at the ceremony and remain closely associated with the royal family’s formal calendar.

Kate Middleton drew particular attention with her carefully chosen outfit. After a notable appearance on Saturday, she returned in a cream Patrick McDowell coat and a Jane Taylor hat. Her look was completed by a pair of diamond earrings that carried special significance. The earrings, created for her wedding 15 years ago, were designed by jeweler Robinson Pelham at the request of Carole and Michael Middleton. They were made to complement the Cartier tiara worn by Kate on her wedding day.

The jewelry also carried a family tribute. The earrings feature a stylized oak leaf and acorn, symbols linked to the Middleton family’s roots in Berkshire, where the family is based. The oak tree is one of the emblematic trees of the region, giving the design both personal and local meaning. While the tiara has not been seen publicly since the wedding, the earrings have remained a recurring and recognizable part of Kate’s royal wardrobe.

The ceremony underscored the enduring importance of royal tradition, symbolism, and dress within the British monarchy. It also highlighted the role of Windsor Castle as the center of major state and ceremonial events, setting the stage for Royal Ascot and another important moment in the royal calendar.