Duchess Kate returned to the Royal Variety Performance on Wednesday night wearing a festive emerald velvet dress, and completed her look with some major sparkle from Queen Elizabeth II’s jewelery archives.
The 43-year-old Princess of Wales arrived at London’s Royal Albert Hall in German designer Talbot Ranhoff’s figure-hugging ‘Bobonne’ style, which featured ruched shoulders and a floor-length mermaid hemline.
Middleton paired the currently sold-out number with Queen Elizabeth’s Greville Chandelier earrings, an eye-catching Cartier piece with an Art Deco design and multi-tiered diamonds. The earrings were a wedding gift from the Queen Mother in 1949.
She also selected a diamond bar bracelet she once owned, worn as a choker necklace by Queen Mary in the 1920s.
The princess completed her ensemble with green velvet Manolo Blahnik pumps and a silver Jenny Packham clutch, and wore her hair in loose curls.
Prince William matched her elegant energy by wearing a black velvet tuxedo jacket over a white shirt and bow tie.
The night marked Middleton’s first return to the annual charity event since her recovery from cancer in March 2024. This will also be the sixth time she and William have participated in the performance, which raises funds for celebrities facing illness or financial hardship.
The princess told attendees she was “deeply saddened” that her three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, were unable to attend.
She explained that children will not be allowed at the adult event, which will feature performances by the cast of Paddington the Musical, Jessie J, Laufey, Madness and Sir Stephen Fry.
In a particularly touching moment, Middleton shared a hug with Jessie J, who herself recently battled breast cancer.
