Kate Middleton Showcases a Unique Royal Heirloom at the 2026 BAFTA Awards
Kate Middleton and Prince William Dazzle on the Red Carpet at the 2026 BAFTAs
Kate Middleton and Prince William made a memorable appearance at the 2026 BAFTAs on February 22, stepping onto the red carpet in striking fashion. The Princess of Wales donned a stunning blush-pink gown, accessorized with exquisite diamond jewelry from the royal collection.
Among her jewelry choices were the Greville Chandelier Earrings, a gift to then-Princess Elizabeth on her wedding day, and the rarely-seen Queen Mary Choker Bracelet. This exquisite piece, originally designed for Mary of Teck, features art deco diamond bars and has become a symbol reserved for the most special royal occasions.
The choker was first notably worn by Queen Mary in a 1920s portrait, although its original intended purpose, whether as a choker or bracelet, remains uncertain. It had largely remained in the royal vaults until its recent reappearance, last seen on Middleton at the Royal Variety Performance in November 2025.
After Queen Mary’s passing in 1953, the bracelet resurfaced two decades later on the wrist of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Following her death, it was inherited by Queen Elizabeth II. Kate Middleton first wore the piece as a bracelet at the Chinese state banquet in 2015 and has since showcased it at various formal events.
For the BAFTAs, Middleton coordinated her off-the-shoulder chiffon gown with Prince William’s velvet burgundy tuxedo jacket. The couple appeared to be particularly radiant, sparking speculation that they recently returned from a sun-soaked getaway. This marked the Princess of Wales’ first BAFTA appearance since 2023 and Prince William’s first since 2024. Last year, their absence raised questions regarding potential scheduling conflicts with their children’s school holidays.
Prince William has attended the BAFTAs eight times as President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) since 2010, with his most recent appearance in 2024. In 2021, he did not attend due to family circumstances following the death of his grandfather, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
As the red carpet unfolds, Kate Middleton continues to captivate audiences with her choice of designers, marking her first BAFTA appearance in Gucci while maintaining a preference for British labels like Alexander McQueen and Jenny Packham.
Images from the Event
The Princess of Wales last wore the Gucci evening gown at the 100 Women in Finance gala dinner at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London in February 2019.
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As the name suggests, the diamond piece was created for Mary of Teck, wife of King George V
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The Prince and Princess of Wales looked perfectly coordinated on the red carpet on Sunday night
Scott Garfitt/Getty Images
Kate Middleton wore the sparkling Queen Mary Choker Bracelet for the Royal Variety Performance 2025
JONATHAN BUCKMASTER/Getty Images
