Meghan Markle wears pearl earrings gifted by the Queen in touching tribute as she attends state funeral

Meghan Markle joined Prince Harry and the rest of the royal family for the Queen's state funeral on Monday

PUBLISHED SEP 19, 2022

Meghan Markle wore a special item gifted by the Queen to her funeral (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images, Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Meghan Markle sported a pair of pearl earrings gifted to her by Queen Elizabeth II as she accompanied her husband, Prince Harry, and other members of the royal family during the Queen's funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday, September 19. She received the pearls shortly after her wedding in 2018.

She earlier wore donned the same set of pearls to honor the late monarch during the procession of the Queen's coffin from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. During the same event, her sister-in-law, Princess of Wales, wore a diamond and pearl leaf brooch that belonged to the Queen, accessorizing it with a pair of Collingwood pearl drop earrings that belonged to Princess Diana.

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Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex follow the bearer party with the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it leaves Westminster Abbey for Wellington Arch, during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III. — Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex follow the bearer party with the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it leaves Westminster Abbey for Wellington Arch, during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey (Gareth Fuller - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Pearls have traditionally formed a part of the dress code for the members of the royal family during a period of mourning. In addition to their all-black attire, they frequently sport pearls, whether in earrings, necklaces, bracelets, or brooches. The white jewelry adds elegance to their outfit while standing out in contrast to their black mourning clothes.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrives at Westminster Abbey for The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III. — Meghan, Duchess of Sussex was sharply dressed for the Queen's funeral( Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

In keeping with this tradition and to pay tribute to the Queen, the Duchess of Sussex donned the pearl earrings for the state funeral of Britain's longest reigning monarch. Markle kept her look minimal, pairing her black dress with the set of pearl earrings. Her dark hair was swept back neatly in an updo and she looked a picture of elegance, with black heels and gloves.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at Wellington Arch during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III. — Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at Wellington Arch during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth (David Ramos/Getty Images)

Meghan has spoken fondly of the Queen's gift to her during the explosive tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey. She referred to her outing with the Queen, saying, "The Queen, for example, has always been wonderful to me. I mean, we had one of our first joint engagements together. She asked me to join her." The Duchess of Sussex then added, "We had breakfast together that morning, and she'd given me a beautiful gift, and I just really loved being in her company. And I remember we were in the car." When asked what the "beautiful gift" was, Markle revealed, "She gave me some beautiful pearl earrings and a matching necklace."

Queen Elizabeth II sitts and laughs with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge on June 14, 2018 in the town of Widnes in Halton, Cheshire, England. Meghan Markle married Prince Harry last month to become The Duchess of Sussex and this is her first engagement with the Queen. During the visit the pair will open a road bridge in Widnes and visit The Storyhouse and Town Hall in Chester. — Meghan earlier sported the same earrings in an engagement with the Queen (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

She had earlier donned the same set of earrings on June 14, 2018, during a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge in the town of Widnes in Halton, Cheshire. This was her first and only solo royal engagement with the Queen, merely a month after her wedding. During the same visit, she accompanied the Queen to visit The Storyhouse and Town Hall in Chester.

For today's funeral, the Princess of Wales also paid tribute to the late Queen, sporting the monarch's Japanese pearl choker necklace, the same necklace she wore to Prince Philip's funeral.