The Princess of Wales made a poignant fashion statement today as she debuted a meaningful new necklace during a significant royal engagement in London. Kate, alongside Prince William, met with Dame Sarah Mullally, the first woman to hold the role of Archbishop of Canterbury, at Lambeth Palace.
A Sentimental Accessory with Personal Meaning
The royal, looking elegant in a custom Edeline Lee textured midi dress, showcased her engraved Gold Keeper's Heart Trace Chain Necklace from British brand Daniella Draper for the first time at this important meeting. The exquisite piece retails at £1,555 and represents more than just a fashion choice.
Handcrafted in England using recycled 9-carat gold, the necklace symbolises 'everlasting love and connection' according to the brand's website. While the specific engraving on Kate's version remains private, the family-run London-based company offers personalisation with a loved one's handwriting, adding intimate significance to each piece.
Connections to Family and Previous Appearances
This isn't the first time Kate has chosen Daniella Draper jewellery for a public appearance. The Princess previously wore a design from the brand at Wimbledon last year, with that sentimental piece serving as a tribute to her youngest son, Prince Louis, who didn't attend the sporting event alongside his siblings.
Today's necklace selection continued this personal connection, as the gems featured in the piece correspond to April's birthstone, the month when Prince Louis was born. Kate kept her youngest child close to her heart through this thoughtful accessory choice during today's engagements.
Historic Meeting with the New Archbishop
The royal couple's meeting with Dame Sarah Mullally marked a significant moment in their relationship with the Church of England. As the first woman to hold the position of Archbishop of Canterbury in the Church's 1,400-year history, Dame Sarah represents a historic appointment that the future king and queen were keen to acknowledge.
Royal sources indicated that William and Kate were 'looking forward to spending time with Archbishop Sarah and building a strong working relationship with her.' The meeting in the Archbishop's study at Lambeth Palace was described as relaxed, with William making self-deprecating jokes and Kate discussing the palace gardens as spaces for reflection.
Additional Engagements and Complete Ensemble
Separately from the Lambeth Palace meeting, the Prince and Princess of Wales also welcomed the leader of the Ismaili Muslims, Aga Khan, to Kensington Palace. In a social media post, they described it as 'a pleasure' to host Mr Khan on Thursday morning.
For today's significant engagements, Kate completed her ensemble with a longline custom brown coat from Catherine Walker and heels from Gianvito Rossi. The royal mother-of-three looked both stylish and appropriate for the formal occasions while incorporating meaningful personal touches through her jewellery selection.
The New Archbishop's Background and Role
Dame Sarah Mullally brings a unique background to her historic role as Archbishop of Canterbury. A former chief nursing officer for England, she has stated her commitment to 'bringing a compassionate voice to my role as an advocate for equity, justice and hope.'
She officially became the 106th person to hold the position during a service at St Paul's Cathedral last month, filling a vacancy left by Justin Welby. Technically, the King remains head of the Church of England, but the Archbishop of Canterbury serves as the most senior bishop and spiritual leader of both the Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion.
The meeting with the royal couple followed Dame Sarah's recent introduction to the House of Lords, where she swore the oath of allegiance to the King. She will have a further installation service at Canterbury Cathedral in March, after which she will begin preaching in her new role.
