The Princess of Wales proved once again that royal style doesn’t have to come with a royal price tag. During her surprise appearance at Wimbledon on July 2, Kate Middleton delighted tennis fans while showcasing one of the most accessible pieces in her jewelry collection.
Instead of reaching for priceless royal gems, the future queen chose a pair of statement earrings retailing for around $170, pairing them with a luxury designer suit and an affordable H&M top in a look that immediately sparked the latest “Kate Effect.”
The earrings behind Kate Middleton’s Wimbledon look:
Kate wore the “Stella” earrings by British independent label Carousel Jewels, crafted from sterling silver with a 22-karat gold vermeil finish and featuring moonstone and lapis lazuli gemstones.
© Shaun Brooks – CameraSportThe Princess paired the earrings with Gabriela Hearst’s sapphire-blue linen “Stephanie” suit, a white ribbed H&M top, chocolate brown Ralph Lauren pumps and coordinating Ralph Lauren sunglasses, blending luxury fashion with accessible wardrobe staples.
The earrings aren’t new to Kate’s collection. Royal fashion watchers first spotted them during the Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle in 2023, making their Wimbledon return more than three years later an unexpected favorite among royal style enthusiasts.
The symbolic meaning behind the gemstones:
The choice of gemstones appears especially fitting for the Princess of Wales.
© Karwai TangAccording to jewelry experts, lapis lazuli has long been associated with royalty, wisdom, honor and truth. The deep blue stone also perfectly complements Kate’s well-known preference for sapphire tones, including her iconic sapphire engagement ring that once belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales.
The moonstone positioned above the lapis is traditionally linked to intuition, emotional balance, femininity and motherhood, creating symbolism that many royal observers believe reflects Kate’s dual role as both a future queen and a devoted mother.
© Karwai TangCarousel Jewels also emphasizes ethical sourcing and handcrafted production, with each pair made from recycled sterling silver and responsibly sourced gemstones.
Kate’s signature high-low fashion formula:
One reason Kate’s style continues to resonate is her ability to effortlessly mix designer labels with affordable fashion.
For Wimbledon, she combined an investment Gabriela Hearst suit with a simple H&M top and relatively accessible statement earrings, reinforcing her long-standing approach that elegant daytime dressing doesn’t always require expensive fine jewelry.
© Karwai TangUnsurprisingly, the earrings quickly attracted renewed attention from shoppers hoping to recreate the Princess’s look following her appearance.
One important accessory was missing:
While Kate’s earrings became the talking point of the day, many royal fashion followers also noticed what she wasn’t wearing.
© Karwai TangThe Princess did not wear the traditional green and purple bow brooch typically seen during her Wimbledon appearances in her role as patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, making this year’s look a subtle departure from recent tournament traditions.
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