Going for gold, Kate in a £49,000 necklace
SHE is known as the Discount Duchess for her love of the High Street.
But Kate proved that even she can’t resist the allure of something gold – in the form of a £49,000 Cartier necklace.
The Duchess of Cambridge wore the distinctive piece, made up of a series of chains linked to five diamond-studded hoops, to an Olympics-themed exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery yesterday.
According to royal aides, the white, yellow and rose gold necklace from the jeweller’s Trinity range has been part of her private collection for a while.
Although it was not specifically designed for the Games, Kate thought it was ‘appropriate’ to wear to the exhibition, called the Road To 2012: Aiming High.
A St James’s Palace spokesman said: ‘It’s a personal piece which she’s had for some time. It’s not an official Olympic item but it’s appropriate to wear it.’
Kate also used the occasion to fly the flag for British fashion by choosing a brilliant blue crepe dress by Stella McCartney, who created the official Team GB kit. She topped off the £515 frock with her trusty black Prada heels, which she has worn before.
Kate was given a sneak preview of the exhibition, which follows athletes and staff in the build-up to London 2012.
Among those photographed are the men’s rowing eight, London Mayor Boris Johnson – and the duchess herself. The black and white portrait was taken earlier this year when Kate played hockey at the Olympic park.
Photographer Jillian Edelstein, who took the picture, said: ‘She looked a little embarrassed and said she thought it would be just her hitting a few balls with the players.
‘She is beautiful – it must be difficult to take a bad photograph of her. She has a very easy, warm way about her which comes out in her pictures. She was a delight.’