When the Princess of Wales arrived at the world premiere of Digger in London, her dramatic purple Jenny Packham gown immediately stood out. But the detail with the most history was around her neck: the Queen Mother’s rarely seen Amethyst Sautoir Necklace, originally given to Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon by Queen Alexandra as a wedding gift in 1923.
The extraordinary necklace combines pearls, diamonds and amethysts, culminating in a large heart-shaped amethyst pendant. Catherine paired it with a deep purple gown featuring a plunging neckline, flowing chiffon and a sweeping silhouette—a combination that allowed the historic jewel to become the centerpiece of her look.
But Catherine wasn’t the first royal to wear it this way
There is a fascinating photograph from 2012 that makes Catherine’s latest appearance feel surprisingly familiar.
Queen Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall, wore the same historic necklace to the London premiere of Skyfall. And just like Catherine, Camilla chose a rich purple evening gown.
The similarities are striking: the same exceptionally rare royal necklace, two purple gowns and two major movie premieres separated by nearly 14 years. Camilla’s Skyfall appearance was the necklace’s most notable modern outing before Catherine brought it back into the spotlight.
Catherine quietly honored Diana, too
The necklace wasn’t Catherine’s only piece of historic royal jewelry that evening.
Look closely at her earrings.
Catherine wore the Collingwood pearl drop earrings that belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales. With the Queen Mother’s necklace resting at her neckline and Diana’s pearls framing her face, Catherine effectively brought together pieces associated with different generations of royal women in one red-carpet look.
Perhaps that is what makes the photographs so fascinating. Side by side, Catherine and Camilla demonstrate how dramatically a century-old jewel can change depending on the woman wearing it—while the heart-shaped amethyst at its center remains unmistakable.
If you’re curious about other celebrity appearances that have sparked conversation, take a look at Christina Applegate’s first video after months in the hospital or how fans reacted to her changed appearance. And for a more personal story, you might be interested in learning about Cindy Crawford’s enduring family loss.
