Why Kate Middleton Is Always Wearing Pearls Lately

But pearls are also steeped in royal family tradition. (What isn’t?) According to People, Elizabeth’s fondness for pearls began when she was a little girl and her father King George VI—carrying on a tradition started by Queen Victoria—gave her a platinum chain to which he would add two pearls on each birthday. Wearing pearls as mourning jewelry is also a tradition begun by Victoria, famous for mourning her husband Prince Albert after his death for every day until she died.

Royals jewelry expert Lauren Kiehna told BuzzFeed News, “In Western cultures, white gemstones like diamonds and pearls, paired with black clothing, are traditional choices for mourning.” Makes sense! Plus, Kate Middleton will be inheriting most of this jewelry eventually in any case, so why not go ahead and make pearls her new thing?