Duchess Kate wore Queen Elizabeth’s earrings at NATO reception

Kate stood out in teardrop-shaped diamond earrings from the Queen's vault.

December 4, 2019, 1:10 PM

Dipping into the jewelry box of your grandmother-in-law is elevated to say the least when you're a member of Britain's royal family.

Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, chose to wear earrings owned by her husband's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, for a reception Tuesday that saw her mingling with world leaders.

PHOTO: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends a reception for NATO leaders at Buckingham Palace on Dec. 3, 2019, in London. |  Britain's Queen Elizabeth II arrives for the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster, May 9, 2012, in London.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends a reception for NATO leaders at Buckingham Palace on Dec. 3, 2019, in London. | Britain's Queen Elizabeth II arrives for the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster, May 9, 2012, in London.
Yui Mok/WPA Pool via Getty Images | Carl Court/Pool via AP

Kate, 37, chose a pair of Her Majesty's teardrop-shaped diamond earrings for the NATO reception held at Buckingham Palace. The earrings seem to be a favorite of Kate's as the duchess has been spotted wearing them at other engagements as well.

PHOTO: Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends a reception to mark 70 years of the NATO Alliance, hosted by Britain's Queen Elizabeth, at Buckingham Palace, in London, Dec. 3, 2019.
Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends a reception to mark 70 years of the NATO Alliance, hosted by Britain's Queen Elizabeth, at Buckingham Palace, in London, Dec. 3, 2019.
Yui Mok/Pool via Reuters

Queen Elizabeth, 93, was seen wearing the earrings as recently as 2012 at the State Opening of Parliament.

PHOTO: In this May 9, 2012, file photo, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh leave the Houses of Parliament, in Westminster, central London, following the State Opening of Parliament.
In this May 9, 2012, file photo, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh leave the Houses of Parliament, in Westminster, central London, following the State Opening of Parliament.
Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire via AP, FILE

Queen Elizabeth also joined Kate at the reception.

Kate's husband, Prince William, did not attend as he is on a four-day official visit to Kuwait and Oman.

Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, were also absent from the reception. They are taking a break from royal duties to enjoy family time over the holidays, a royal source told ABC News.

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