Who has the best royal jewellery box: Expert rates Kate’s ‘approachable mum’ accessories against Meghan’s bling – including a £56,000 diamond pinky ring

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When Meghan Markle unveiled a rebrand for her lifestyle brand As Ever this week, it was difficult not to be blinded by her bling.

The glossy promotional video showed the Duchess of Sussex modelling more than £60,000 worth of jewellery from her personal collection, including a £4,168 Logan Holloway diamond tennis necklace.

On the other hand, the Princess of Wales opted for a more sentimental, £125 personalised necklace paying tribute to her three children for a recent engagement in London.

Of course, working royals such as Kate have access to the family’s vast collection of priceless pieces and tiaras, while she and Meghan have both inherited jewellery belonging to Princess Diana .

But it’s the accessories royals choose for themselves that hold the biggest clues about their personalities, according to jeweller Angela Moore.

From Meghan’s fierce ‘independence’ and Catherine’s easy approachability to Princess Eugenie’s ‘quietly personal’ style, the founder of Little Bottled Earring Company noted how all the royal women use jewellery to communicate different messages.

‘Kate uses it to soften and personalise her public image. Meghan uses it to create sleek, modern luxury.

‘Anne uses it as continuity and symbolism. Sophie uses it to bring warmth and playfulness. Camilla uses it for character and recognisable tradition. Zara uses it for practical polish,’ Angela said, while analysing the everyday pieces the royals reach for most often.

Kate, Princess of Wales

Part of the reason Catherine’s style is so widely copied is because of her jewellery, according to Angela.

Her personal collection is a careful balance of ‘aspiration and approachability’ as the queen of high-low dressing wears luxury brands like Cartier with as much flair as gemstone jewellery from Kiki McDonough.

‘The way she mixes high-end and more affordable pieces is really effective. A Cartier hoop or vintage piece can sit alongside Missoma or Sézane because her overall style is still consistent.

‘It makes her jewellery box feel collected over time, rather than chosen purely to impress,’ Angela said.

Catherine owns several pieces from Cartier’s Trinity collection, estimated to be worth over £10,000.

This includes a long-chain necklace, which she debuted in 2012, matching hoop earrings, as well as a dainty ‘Trinity’ pendant from the French designer that Catherine fittingly wore in Paris for the first time.

She also owns the complementary £3,050 Trinity earrings that Catherine wore when she returned to the Royal Marsden Hospital – where she underwent cancer treatment – last January.

Catherine is also a fan of more modestly priced gemstone jewellery and has increasingly donned pieces featuring healing and ‘protective’ crystals like red garnet and green amethyst after completing a preventative course of chemotherapy.

One of Kate’s favourite gemstone necklaces is the Astley Clarke Lapis necklace that features a table-cut stone set in 18-carat gold-plated sterling silver, and retails for a more modest £160.

The royal picked a pair of citrine pear drop earrings from Kiki McDonough for her first-ever royal engagement as Prince William’s future wife in February 2011.

Since they were first seen on Kate in 2009, she has worn the £895 earrings on nearly 50 occasions, from royal tours to family outings.

Angela added that Catherine chooses pearls to ‘soften her overall look’ while adding ‘warmth and femininity’ to her ‘structured outfits’ such as tailored coats and formal dresses.

And while she may be the future Queen, Catherine clearly cherishes her role as a mother to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis over all else – and her jewellery clearly reflects that.

‘There is also a strong personal thread running through her jewellery. Personalised necklaces, birthstone-style pieces, and jewellery linked to her children bring private meaning into her very public wardrobe,’ Angela said.

The Princess of Wales debuted a new Daniella Draper necklace symbolising ‘love and connection’ as she met the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullaly, earlier this year.

The royal looked on trend in a custom Edeline Lee textured midi dress, and showcased her engraved Gold Keeper’s Heart Trace Chain Necklace, which now retails from around £2,570, for the first time at the engagement.

The elegant chain is engraved with a handwritten message – although it’s not clear what the inscription says.

One of Catherine’s favourite designers, Daniella Draper also created two other custom pieces for the princess – including a £495 gold necklace with initial pendants of G for George, C for Charlotte, and L for Louis.

‘That is another part of why her jewellery feels so relatable, as it lets her nod to motherhood and family subtly, without making the whole look feel overly sentimental.’

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

The Duchess of Sussex’s jewellery box has a ‘very different feel’, Angela noted.

‘Gold, diamonds, Cartier pieces, sleek rings and fine bracelets all contribute to a look that feels refined, contemporary and very carefully edited,’ she said.

In a new promo for her lifestyle brand As Ever, the American is dressed in almost £80,000 worth of jewellery and clothing.

This includes an eyewateringly expensive £47,168 Logan Hollowell diamond tennis necklace, her favourite £7,050 Cartier Love bracelet and £17,800 Cartier Tank Francaise watch she inherited from Princess Diana.

Meghan’s Cartier collection also includes the Juste Un Clou necklace worth £15,500 – but one of her most deceptively pricey pieces is a Lorraine Schwartz pinky ring believed to be worth an astronomical £56,000.

The ring has sparked much speculation, especially since Meghan wore it on the cover of Time magazine in 2021, and again at the 2023 Invictus Games.

The 3-carat emerald-cut diamond, known for symbolising stability and strength, is particularly fitting for Meghan, who has faced numerous challenges since she and Harry decided to step back from royal duties.

According to Angela, Meghan’s jewellery collection has a very modern feel in stark contrast to the more ‘heirloom-heavy look people might expect from royal dressing’.

‘Many of her pieces are minimal in shape, but they still feel luxurious because of the finish, the metal, the craftsmanship or the way they are layered,’ she explained.

‘That gives her jewellery a very modern feel, rather than the more traditional, heirloom-heavy look people might expect from royal dressing.

Angela also noted a strong ‘sense of independence’ in her choices that feel more ‘self styled’ and evoke that ‘polished California feel’.

She added: ‘There is also a sense of independence in her jewellery choices.

‘Pinky rings, stacked bracelets and slim gold pieces feel more self-styled and personal than formal pearls or traditional brooches.

‘They sit closer to contemporary American luxury, with that polished, California feel, but still have enough refinement for formal occasions.

Her jewellery box suggests someone drawn to sleek, minimal pieces that feel confident, modern and quietly luxurious.

Princess Eugenie

Princess Eugenie, who recently announced she is expecting her third child with husband Jack Brooksbank, largely tends to gravitate towards the same pieces.

Some of her most commonly worn jewels include a pair of gold pavé hoops from Alexis Bittar and 18-ct gold earrings from Aya that she has donned nearly 50 times since 2016.

When she attended British socialite and model Poppy Delevingne’s star-studded 40th birthday bash in London, she opted for her famous £515 ‘mushroom earrings’ from Sophie Lis that Eugenie has worn everywhere from the Chelsea Flower Show to Chiltern Firehouse.

Angela said: ‘When we look at Princess Eugenie, her jewellery style feels calm and very wearable.

She tends to stick to smaller, easy pieces that sit neatly with the rest of her outfit, and she repeats them often, which gives her a polished effect that never feels shouty.’

She explained that the  royal’s Alexis Bittar hoops ‘perfectly capture’ Eugenie’s jewellery identity.

‘Hoops are an everyday staple, and the pavé adds just enough sparkle to look public-ready without tipping into statement territory. They do the job, they photograph well, and they still feel like something you could wear to lunch, not just to an engagement.’

Some of her other favourite pieces include a simple gold necklace with a disc pendant, a bracelet with her husband’s Jack’s initial hanging from it, and a diamond-encrusted ‘Smile’ ring from the brand Rosa Dela Cruz.

However, one of her most famous jewellery moments was courtesy of a pair of novelty candy cane earrings that Eugenie wore to Catherine’s Together at Christmas service in 2024.

‘When she wants to have fun, she keeps it light and contained. We have seen her in novelty mushroom and candy-cane earrings that act as a small wink, while the rest of the styling stays clean. Overall, her jewellery suggests she likes things tidy, wearable, and quietly personal,’ Angela remarked.

‘What makes her style feel accessible is how easy the formula is to copy. Classic hoops, a simple pendant, and the occasional small standout earring are all shapes you can find everywhere on the high street.

‘Even if her exact pieces are not always affordable, the look itself is very achievable.’

Princess Beatrice

Princess Beatrice is probably best known for her collection of headbands, but Andrew and Sarah’s older daughter has also acquired an eclectic mix of jewels.

From Cartier and Chopard, to budget-friendly accessories from H&M and Zara, Beatrice ‘seems comfortable moving between jewellery moods’, Angela said.

Beatrice’s £2,620 Cartier ‘Juste un Clou’ is engraved with a delicate ‘E’ for her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and is among her most significant pieces.

‘Her blend of brands like Chopard alongside high-street finds is especially telling.

‘It suggests she is not using jewellery purely as a status signal. While she may appreciate craftsmanship, she also chooses pieces for character, impact, and a sense of fun.

‘The result is a collection that feels instinctive and style-driven, where a valuable piece can sit happily next to something inexpensive if it creates the right mood.’

She also uses jewellery to create big, dramatic moments.

‘Where some royal women use jewellery as a subtle finishing touch, Beatrice often picks items that create a clearer focal point, whether through sparkle, shape, colour, or an unexpected motif,’ Angela noted.

‘A more decorative earring, an interesting brooch, or a piece with richer texture can give her outfits a focal point and make them feel styled rather than simply finished.

‘Overall, her jewellery box suggests someone more expressive and more willing to enjoy visual flourish. The mix can feel romantic in one moment and polished in the next, but it rarely feels flat.’

Angela said Beatrice’s choices suggest she sees jewellery as part of an outfit’s personality, something that can add character and shift the energy quickly, rather than something that should fade into the background.’

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh

Sophie’s jewellery box says she enjoys bringing warmth and playfulness into royal dressing.

Prince Edward’s wife often dresses with the polish expected of royal life, but her jewellery gives her room to add colour, texture and more relaxed personal details, Angela said.

Her favourite designers include Giulia Barela, the Rome-based designer behind her beloved Poetica earrings, Adore Jewels, Monica Vinader, and Asprey.

‘Rings, bracelets and more modern everyday pieces stop her outfits from feeling too formal,’ Angela added.

‘What is interesting about Sophie is that she often uses jewellery to make a look feel softer and more approachable, similar to Kate. A stack of rings, a friendship-style bracelet or a colourful piece can bring a sense of ease to tailoring or occasionwear.

‘It is not about making a huge statement with Sophie, but about adding personality in a way that still feels appropriate.’

From a styling point of view, she often sits between traditional royal jewellery and contemporary everyday jewellery, which is why brands like Monica Vinader make sense for her, Angela told the Daily Mail.

‘They have polish, but they also have wearability and suggest someone who likes jewellery that can move between formal events and normal life,’ the expert said.

‘Her jewellery box says she is polished, feminine and quietly playful. It feels like the jewellery of someone who enjoys beautiful pieces, but does not want them to make the whole outfit feel too grand or stiff.

Queen Camilla

One of the most noticeable features of Camilla’s collection of jewellery is a fondness for Van Cleef & Arpels.

She has numerous pieces from the brand’s Alhambra range, including earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, known for the trendy clover-style motifs.

This includes the distinct blue agate and gold bracelet, dating back to 1968, that Her Majesty is rarely seen without.

She also owns three diamond earrings from the same Alhambra collection as well as a pair of striking green malachite earrings that she debuted at the Oscars in 2016.

The most famous of these is the distinct blue agate and gold bracelet that Camilla is rarely seen without.

It’s a sign that she knows exactly what works for her, said Angela.

‘She is very consistent with the shapes, houses and motifs she returns to, and that consistency has become part of her signature,’ said Angela. ‘It creates a real sense of confidence and permanence.’

The four-leaf clover design that Van Cleef is known for has endeared the brand to a younger generation of luxury lovers, but on Camilla it ‘reads more as an established taste.

Angela told the Daily Mail that it sits within a wider jewellery wardrobe of classic motifs, brooches, pearls and recognisable luxury pieces and ‘feels less like a new style choice and more like something that has always belonged there’.

In 2024, Camilla sparked speculation that King Charles had splurged £30,000 on a new bracelet for his wife when she attended Royal Ascot two years ago.

Camilla, who is an avid dog lover, also owns a pair of ‘Cosmos clip brooches along with a diamond and sapphire-studded dragonfly clip brooch from the Libellule collection.

‘Her brooches are where the personality really comes through. Animal motifs, especially, bring warmth and humour into a wardrobe that could otherwise feel very formal,’ Angela said.

‘This gives us a real feeling of affection, character and the wearer’s willingness to show a softer side.’

Zara Tindall

Sporty Zara Tindall recently ditched makeup when she attended the Badminton Horse Trials and seemingly has a similar, ‘less is more’ approach to jewellery.

Her choices often suit someone with an active, outdoor lifestyle, so the jewellery rarely feels overly delicate but still adds finish without getting in the way, Angela explained.

‘That is why earrings make sense as such a strong part of her jewellery style,’ she continued. ‘Earrings frame the face, photograph well and can dress up an outfit without interfering with movement or practicality.’

Her favourite brands include Australian designer Calleija, Astley Clarke, Aspinal of London, and Laurence Coste – with Princess Anne’s Olympian daughter happily donning £300-pair designs without any royal airs.

‘Zara’s jewellery often feels confident but not overly styled,’ said Angela. ‘Even when she wears more formal pieces, there is usually an ease to them.

‘She does not seem to use jewellery to create a very controlled royal image in the same way Kate or Meghan might. Her choices feel more instinctive and tied to the occasion.’

Like her, Zara’s jewellery box is ‘sporty, polished and self-assured’.

Angela added: ‘She understands occasion dressing, but her jewellery still feels grounded in real life. It gives her outfits a finish without making them feel too formal or overworked.’