Queen Elizabeth's Signature Pearl Necklace Stack Valued at Over $6.6 Million

Throughout her reign, Queen Elizabeth II was renowned for her fondness for pearl necklaces, often lending them to Princess Diana and Kate Middleton. On her wedding day in 1947, she wore two pearl necklaces that had originally belonged to Queen Victoria, showcasing a tradition of elegance and heritage. Among her collection were several three-strand pearl necklaces, each valued at around $6.6 million today.

The late monarch had a distinct affection for classic pearl jewelry. On her wedding day, she donned two overlapping pearl strands, later becoming famous for wearing a signature three-strand necklace made from family heirlooms. In 1979, during an official visit to Qatar, she received a six-strand pearl necklace from the Court Jeweller, further enriching her collection.

Pearls were not merely a personal preference for the Queenthey connected her to centuries of royal tradition. Pearls are traditional for Queens going back one thousand yearsthere has never been a Queen who didnt wear pearls, Leslie Field, author of The Queens Jewels, told People in 2020. One of the most iconic royal tiaras, the Queen Marys Lovers Knot, also prominently features pearls.

Natural pearls, rarer than diamonds according to the International Gem Society, have grown scarcer due to overfishing and ocean acidification, which is why most pearl jewelry today is made from cultured pearls. Queen Elizabeth II owned and wore both natural and cultured pearls, sharing some pieces with Princess Diana and Catherine, Princess of Wales. After her passing in 2022, her pearls returned to the royal collection or were inherited by family members.

Wedding Pearls: A Gift from King George VI

Elizabeths wedding necklaces were gifts from her father, King George VI. On her 1947 wedding day to Prince Philip, she wore two distinct necklaces: the Queen Anne necklace, believed to have belonged to the last Stuart Queen, and the Queen Caroline necklace, originally King George IIs wifes piece. Both necklaces had previously been owned by Queen Victoria. These necklaces complemented her pearl-embroidered gown and symbolically linked her to royal predecessors. Their combined value was estimated at $30,000 in 2022 by UK jeweler Maxwell Stone.

The Four-Strand Pearl Choker

Another cherished piece was a four-strand pearl choker with a diamond clasp, created from pearls gifted to her during a 1975 state visit to Japan. Garrard, the then-court jeweler, assembled the intricate necklace. Princess Diana borrowed it in 1982 for a reception with Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, and Elizabeth herself wore it during a 1983 visit to Bangladesh.

Kate Middleton has also worn this iconic choker, including for the Queen and Prince Philips 70th wedding anniversary in 2017, and at both their funerals. She paired it with a maroon Alexander McQueen coat during a 2024 State Visit welcoming Qatari royals.

The Signature Three-Strand Pearls

The Queens signature three-strand pearl necklace often seen in photographs was actually multiple pieces. Leslie Field notes three distinct necklaces: one gifted by King George V in 1935, a graduated string commissioned after Elizabeths 1952 accession, and a coronation gift from the Amir of Qatar in 1953. Each necklace is valued at over $6.6 million in 2023 by UK jeweler Queensmith.

Elizabeth wore the oldest necklace during her parents 1937 coronation and displayed it decades later at a 2009 reception. Her 1952 graduated pearls became a favorite throughout her reign, appearing even at her final engagement on September 6, 2022, when she appointed Liz Truss as prime minister. The 1953 necklace was reserved mainly for engagements with Qatars royals, honoring its origin.

Author: Sophia Brooks