Kate Middleton wearing Kiki McDonough earrings on May 9, 2023.
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The Gist
In her latest batch of royal warrants, Queen Camilla granted the prestigious honor to brands beloved by both Princess Diana and Kate Middleton.
Jeweler Kiki McDonough, handbag designer Anya Hindmarch, and fashion label ME+EM were all included in the latest tranche of royal warrants distributed.
A royal warrant is the official seal of approval given by senior members of the royal family to British brands they support.
Queen Camilla has granted new royal warrants to three brands—and all of them are Princess Diana or Kate Middleton approved.
Jeweler Kiki McDonough—worn by both Diana and Kate—and handbag designer Anya Hindmarch (who counted Diana as a fan) have both been granted the prestigious honor, as has ME+EM, a brand Kate wore as recently as last week. Royal warrants are the official seal of approval given by senior members of the royal family to British brands they support; Queen Camilla first gave out royal warrants in December 2024, and this recent crop of recipients brings her total awardees to 35, The Telegraph reported.
Kate Middleton wearing Kiki McDonough earrings on October 30, 2018.
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The current Princess of Wales has worn Kiki McDonough designs with frequency throughout her royal career, and McDonough credits Diana with catapulting her brand into the global spotlight. The former Princess of Wales once arrived at McDonough’s shop unannounced, causing a builder working onsite to encourage her to open her door. “I thought he was joking,” McDonough said. “I just said, ‘Oh, for goodness sake, it’s too early in the morning for jokes!’” Diana later wore Kiki McDonough earrings to meet then-First Lady Barbara Bush at the White House in 1990.
Princess Diana meeting Barbara Bush in Kiki McDonough earrings in October 1990.
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Up to the present day, Kate is thought to have around 20 pieces by the designer in her collection.
“Receiving a royal warrant is the greatest honor of my career—something I could scarcely have dreamed of when I sat down with a pencil and paper contemplating my first design over 40 years ago,” McDonough said. “To be recognized in this way for craftsmanship and consistency over decades feels incredibly special. A royal warrant is the ultimate mark of trust and excellence, built over time, and that makes it all the more meaningful.” She added, “This moment feels like a celebration of a lifetime dedicated to the beauty and individuality of colored gemstones”—the style for which McDonough is so well known.
Kate Middleton wearing Kiki McDonough earrings on February 26, 2026.
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Kate Middleton wearing Kiki McDonough earrings on February 12, 2026.
Credit: Getty
McDonough said of the royal family, “I feel so lucky that they wear my jewelry, but I’m just as happy if I see someone wearing it walking down the street, on the bus, or at the theater. It’s what gets me up in the morning.”
Princess Diana arriving at ‘Swan Lake’ in June 1997.
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Hindmarch had what The Telegraph described as “a close working relationship” with Diana, who was employed “to make satin clutch bags that the princess could hold to her chest to cover low necklines when she stepped out of cars.” Hindmarch embroidered the letter “D” inside the so-called “cleavage bags,” which became “their little secret,” the outlet reported.
In more recent years, Camilla has carried Hindmarch’s designs, and the designer called receiving a royal warrant “quite special and a lovely surprise.”
Princess Diana in Argentina.
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Kate Middleton carrying an Anya Hindmarch bag at Wimbledon on July 12, 2025.
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The Princess of Wales wore a chestnut brown cashmere sweater from ME+EM as recently as April 29, when she stepped out for a surprise royal engagement alongside husband Prince William on their 15th wedding anniversary. The brand, founded by Clare Hornby in 2009, has long been a staple in the future queen’s wardrobe.
Speaking of the future queen, both the Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to begin granting their own royal warrants in short order. In doing so, Kate will become the first Princess of Wales to grant a royal warrant since 1910—not even Diana had the opportunity to do so, even though King Charles began issuing warrants as the Prince of Wales beginning in 1980, the year before marrying Diana. Per The Times, sources close to Kate said it was her “hope” that she would be able to grant royal warrants soon. “She’s keen to recognize British skills and industry,” the outlet reported.
Kate Middleton wearing ME+EM on May 22, 2023.
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“The Princess of Wales has changed so many brands and taken them to the next level, and every brand would say how grateful they are to her, and I’m very grateful to her,” McDonough previously told Hello!. “Like Diana, she understands how she can help British brands by wearing them, and it’s massively helpful.”
Read the original article on InStyle