Kate Middleton’s diamond leaf earrings have a hidden connection to Princess Diana

Kate Middleton’s latest royal outing included a subtle connection to Princess Diana.

The Princess of Wales joined Prince William for their first official visit to the Isle of Bute in Scotland on September 17, stepping out in a chic autumnal ensemble for a day highlighting community, volunteering and local traditions.

While Kate’s chocolate brown Burberry trench coat and coordinating country-inspired look immediately caught attention, a much smaller detail carried an interesting link to her late mother-in-law, her diamond leaf earrings.

The 44-year-old royal accessorized with Kiki McDonough’s Lauren Pavé Diamond Leaf Drop Earrings, an elegant pair crafted from 18-karat yellow gold and covered in pavé diamonds.

© Samir Hussein

The earrings are inspired by British ballerina Lauren Cuthbertson, a principal dancer with The Royal Ballet. 

According to Kiki McDonough, the designer’s Lauren collection was inspired by Cuthbertson’s performance in “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” with the collection incorporating delicate leaf motifs and sparkling gemstones.

© Princess Diana Archive

And that’s where the connection to Princess Diana becomes particularly meaningful. Diana had a well-documented passion for dance and ballet. She studied ballet when she was young and continued exploring dance as an adult. 

One of her most memorable moments came in 1985, when she secretly prepared a surprise performance with dancer Wayne Sleep for a private event at London’s Royal Opera House.

© Mark Cuthbert

Diana and Sleep famously danced together to Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl,” with the unexpected appearance reportedly stunning the audience. The Royal Ballet School has since recalled how the pair secretly created and rehearsed the duet before taking the stage.

The connection doesn’t end with ballet. Kiki McDonough was also a jeweler worn by Diana herself. The British jewelry house notes that the late Princess of Wales was photographed wearing a pair of Kiki earrings during a 1990 visit to the White House, where she met First Lady Barbara Bush.

© Samir Hussein

Decades later, the brand has become a familiar part of Kate’s own jewelry collection. Kate’s Lauren leaf earrings are far from a new addition. The Princess has owned the diamond pair for around a decade and has repeatedly brought them back for royal engagements, making them one of the more recognizable pieces in her jewelry rotation.

© Dave Benett

For her day on Bute, the delicate earrings added sparkle to an otherwise earthy ensemble. Kate paired her dark brown trench with an olive green turtleneck, fitted brown trousers, an embroidered belt and suede ankle boots. She later added a green tweed cap as she and William braved the Scottish weather.

The Princess even kept the diamond earrings on while showing off her athletic side at Bute Shinty Club, where she picked up a caman and joined local players for a game of the traditional Scottish sport.