The Duchess of Cambridge will celebrate her 40th Birthday this week, and to mark the occasion we are featuring some of the pieces from her splendid Jewellery Collection, continuing our series with the Queen’s Japanese Pearl Choker, which we have been waiting years to cover!
Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara | Cartier Halo Tiara | Lotus Flower Tiara | Diamond Chandelier Earrings | Collingwood Pearl Earrings | Bahrain Pearl Earrings | Antique Diamond Earrings | Queen’s Wedding Gift Bracelet | Ruby and Diamond Floral Bandeau Necklace | Queen’s Japanese Pearl Choker | Queen Mary’s Diamond Choker Bracelet | Irish Guards Brooch | Sapphire Fringe Earrings | Princess Diana’s South-Sea Pearl Earrings | Pearl Bracelet | Queen’s Dubai Sapphire Suite | Acorn Brooch | Duchess of Cambridge’s Tiaras
When the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh made their first State Visit to the Empire of Japan in 1975, the Queen received ‘a set of the finest cultured pearls presented to her by the Japanese government.’ Within a few years, the pearls were set into a four-strand pearl choker with a curved central diamond clasp made by Garrard, the Crown Jeweller, though given its recent appearences, the design likely had some input from the late Duke of Edinburgh.
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images
The Queen has not worn chokers with any regularity during her reign, which made this an unusual commission, and she began wearing the piece in the early 1980s, notably for a visit to Bangladesh in 1983, a Banquet in Winnipeg in 1984, former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s 70th Birthday in 1995 and also a Return Banquet at the Chinese Embassy in 1999.
Embed from Getty Images
Even before the Queen wore her Japanese Pearl Choker in public, the piece was loaned to her daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, to pair with Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara, the Queen’s Bahrain Pearl Earrings and her Sapphire Brooch, for the Return Banquet hosted by Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus at Hampton Court Palace at the end of the Dutch State Visit in 1982. The jewels were a last minute decision after the Princess was unexpectedly given the Dutch Order of the Crown and had to change her planned outfits to suit the orange sash but the commission of the choker was also party inspired by the Princess’ revival of the choker necklace, which made this loan all the more fitting.
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
In 2017, the Queen loaned the Japanese Pearl Choker to her granddaughter-in-law, the Duchess of Cambridge, for the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s 70th Anniversary Dinner at Windsor Castle, when it was paired with Princess Diana’s Collingwood Pearl Earrings. More recently, the Japanese Pearl Choker made a prominent appearance paired with the Queen’s Bahrain Pearl Earrings for the Funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh also at Windsor Castle, getting a iconic place in spectacular photographs that will be showcased for centuries. There is no doubt we will continue to see this splendid Heirloom for years to come!
The Princess of Wales wore the Queen’s Japanese Pearl Choker for the Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey.
The Princess of Wales has also worn the Queen’s Japanese Pearl Choker for the Royal Festival of Remembrance in 2022 and the Coronation Service at St Giles’ Cathedral.
Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara | Cartier Halo Tiara | Lotus Flower Tiara | Diamond Chandelier Earrings | Collingwood Pearl Earrings | Bahrain Pearl Earrings | Antique Diamond Earrings | Queen’s Wedding Gift Bracelet | Ruby and Diamond Floral Bandeau Necklace | Queen’s Japanese Pearl Choker | Queen Mary’s Diamond Choker Bracelet | Irish Guards Brooch | Sapphire Fringe Earrings | Princess Diana’s South-Sea Pearl Earrings | Pearl Bracelet | Queen’s Dubai Sapphire Suite | Acorn Brooch | Duchess of Cambridge’s Tiaras
I had to smile at the sight of Princess Margaret “jogging along” to catch up to the Prince and Princess of Wales in one video! The Duchess looked magnificent in the choker at the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral.
I normally don’t like chokers, but this is an exception. I guess I like it because it doesn’t appear to actually choke the wearer! The Queen looks very nice in it, but I can see that the style is not her favorite. It looked lovely on the late Princess of Wales and it looks magnificent on the Duchess of Cambridge. The photograph of her in the car, sadly staring at the photographer, is very poignant. She was soberly elegant and proper. If the late Duke had any saying in the choker’s design, it was also a fitting tribute to him.