What you need to know
Duchess Kate had the perfect accessory to celebrate two occasions: her Red Roses rugby team’s World Cup victory and her recent birthday.
In her first royal outing since celebrating her 44th birthday last week, she welcomed the England women’s rugby team to a reception at Windsor Castle on Thursday, January 15. For the occasion, the royal recycled Alexander McQueen’s red pantsuit, which featured an asymmetrical jacket and wide-leg trousers and debuted in January 2023.
She accessorized with pearl cluster earrings and a necklace featuring a red garnet gem, her birthstone. The piece has been identified as a “Bali” birthstone necklace by London-based brand Auree, and retails for $678.
Kin Chan/Pool/AFP via Getty
This necklace remained in Princess Kate’s jewelry box for several years. She previously wore it in a video that showed her baking with her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, for the 2022 Platinum Jubilee Lunch.
The Princess of Wales has other birthstone jewelry, including a promise ring given to her by Prince William when she was at university. This sentimental piece includes both pearls, symbolizing Prince William’s birthday in June, and garnets, symbolizing Duchess Kate’s birthday in January. Princess Kate wore this ring in a 2024 video shared to celebrate British Olympians.
Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to stay up to date on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, and more!
Kin Chan – WPA Pool/Getty
Duchess Kate’s day with the rugby stars included viewing the World Cup trophy, being presented with an autographed team jersey, and posing for a group photo with the team.
She is a patron of the Rugby Football Union, which oversees the England national team, and has a light-hearted rivalry with her husband, who supports Wales in sport.
The reception, held at Windsor Castle on Thursday, marked Duchess Kate’s first solo royal engagement of 2026. Just one day before her birthday, she appeared with Prince William on her first outing of the new year, visiting Charing Cross Hospital in west London to thank healthcare workers during the busy winter months.
On her birthday on January 9, the Princess of Wales had lunch with her mother Carole Middleton and sister Pippa Matthews at the Nameko Club in Berkshire.
