The Queen Consort and the Princess of Wales were spotted wearing meaningful jewellery during a lunch hosted for governors-general of the Commonwealth nations at Buckingham Palace today. Camilla was dressed in black with four gold bracelets accessorising her wrist, one of which adorned multiple royal blue four leaf clovers.
Four leaf clovers are famously known for symbolising good luck and prosperity, and Camilla's choice in jewellery appeared to be a hopeful nod to the future, as a number of countries, including Barbados, severe ties with the monarchy in the wake of the Queen's death. Kate Middleton was also seen wearing all black with a simple necklace made up of three strands of pearls - a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who was known to favour her own three-strand pearl necklace.
Kate Middleton has been seen wearing 'mourning jewellery' since the Queen's passing - a tradition that dates back to Queen Victoria, who wore pearls for 40 years after her husband, Prince Albert, died in 1861.
Pearls are thought to represent 'tears' and have been worn by royal ladies in mourning for centuries.
Queen Elizabeth II honoured the tradition at Princess Diana, Princess Margaret and King George VI's funerals, and at Prince Philip's funeral last year, both the Queen and Kate were seen wearing pearl jewellery.
Camilla was seen wearing her signature four-strand pearl necklace paired with matching pearl earrings during the historic Accession Council ceremony last week, to watch her husband formally become King.
The elegant pearls have reportedly been part of the Queen Consort's collection for many years and have become her go-to for big events and special occasions.
All royal ladies will be expected to wear either a hat or fascinator as they attend the Queen's funeral on Monday 19 September, to pay their respects to the late monarch and honour the longstanding tradition.
Queen Consort Camilla and the Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex, alongside all other royal women, will wear black dresses and black tights with a traditional hat and lace black veil in some form.
Known as the 'mourning veil', the black lace veil signifies the wearer is grieving and also allows the person more privacy when they are wearing it.
While Kate and Meghan will be wearing black dresses and headpieces, one woman in the royal family may be dressed slightly differently.
The Queen's only daughter, Princess Anne, may be wearing her military uniform, as all working members of the royal family are required to at state occasions since the 19th century.
You can now buy Friday's historic Daily Mirror commemorating the death of the Queen here: mirror.co.uk/commemorative
