What Kate Middleton’s jewellery is really saying after cancer – the hidden symbolism royal fans are only just noticing

The Princess of Wales has a dazzling jewellery collection filled with expensive pieces steeped in royal history, but some of her more modern styles seem to hold a different significance.

Instead of diamonds and rubies, Kate, 44, frequently opts for gemstone jewellery with ‘healing’ stones such as lapis lazuli, blue topaz, and red garnet – her birthstone.From prasiolite earrings and pendants to citrine rings, the princess seems to be a fan of crystal healing jewellery that promotes ‘calmness, vibrancy, prosperity’ and a general sense of well-being.Kate, who is in remission from cancer, recently wore her red garnet necklace for an official engagement as jewellery expert and historian, Josie Goodbody, told the Daily Mail that it ‘signifies strength’.

Another gemstone that may have acquired a new meaning for Kate after her health battle is blue topaz, which is believed to bring the wearer peace and clarity.

The princess has frequently spoken about a renewed appreciation for the things in life that matter most since being diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in 2024.

However, it appears Kate has collected gemstone jewellery for many years before her health battles began.

The princess first donned a pair of citrine pear drop earrings from London-based designer Kiki McDonough in 2009, with Kate frequently rewearing the £550 pair since then.

Red garnet  

Last week, Kate hosted a reception for the national women’s rugby team at Windsor Castle to celebrate their landmark World Cup win in September 2025.

For the occasion, she picked a striking, red statement suit designed by Alexander McQueen in a fitting tribute to the rugby side also known as the ‘Red Roses’.

The scarlet suit was certainly eye-catching, but it was her choice of jewellery that really stood out on that occasion.

The princess opted for her Auree ‘Bali’ necklace, which features her red garnet birthstone and retails for £595.

Kate, who turned 44 on January 9, first debuted the necklace from the London brand in 2022, but the decision to rewear it after she completed treatment for cancer feels especially poignant in light of the red garnet’s symbolism.

According to the International Gem Society, some believe that garnets are ‘protective’ and can ‘shield the wearer from injury’ – making them a popular choice amongst warriors and members of royalty.

Red garnets are also associated with ‘life-giving blood’ because of their colour and typically connected to themes of vitality, love, and light.

According to Indian astrology, garnets can remove negative feelings and guilt, added jewellery historian and author Josie Goodbody.

 Some say garnets also signify the ‘safe return of a friend or loved one’ after a difficult journey.

In Kate’s context, this meaning becomes especially significant as she announced she is in remission from cancer one year ago.

Blue topaz

Ms Goodbody told the Daily Mail, the sky blue birthstone for December symbolises calmness and emotional balance while promoting peace, self-expression and spirituality.

Kate’s cancer journey has given her a renewed appreciation for the ‘small things in life’ as the princess has reflected on how the experience has triggered a ‘very spiritual, and very intense emotional reconnection’.

In what may have been a nod to this growing belief, Kate wore blue topaz earrings for her first Christmas after completing a course of preventative chemotherapy.

She attended the Royal Family’s Christmas church service on December 25, 2024, wearing statement topaz and diamond earrings from fine jewellery brand Robinson Pelham.

The stone is also used for ‘stress relief’ and calm the wearer’s nerves – which might explain why Kate also wears blue topaz jewellery for high-profile royal tours and official outings like Trooping the Colour.

Blue topaz is also strongly associated with the ‘throat chakra’ and helps facilitate clear and effective, yet gentle, communication.

Citrine

Citrine is a type of quartz that ranges from yellow to orange in colour.

It is the birthstone of people born in November, including King Charles, and the ‘merchant’s stone’ symbolises prosperity and good fortune.

According to jewellers at Steven Stone, citrine can help its wearer manifest their biggest dreams.

So, it was perhaps fitting that Kate 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.

Notably, Kate wore the elegant 18-carat sparklers while leaving the hospital after the birth of her and William’s first son, and future heir, Prince George, in 2013.

Citrine, used to make talismans in Egypt, features prominently in several royal women’s jewellery collections after Queen Victoria made it popular.

The Queen mother’s art deco citrine brooch has been passed down to Queen Camilla, Ms Goodbody told the Daily Mail while the Princess of Wales also has a citrine necklace designed by Daniella Draper.

‘Queen Sonja of Norway owns a modern citrine tiara, and the Grand Ducal family of Luxembourg has a Citrine and Pearl Bandeau tiara, often worn by Princess Stéphanie and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa,’ she continued. ‘Queen Sirikit of Thailand owns a diamond and citrine tiara.’

Green amethyst or Prasiolite

Kate often sends non-verbal messages with her clothes and accessories – and eagle-eyed royal watchers know the princess’s emotional cancer update video in September 2024 was no different.

Kate announced she had completed a preventative course of chemotherapy as she expressed her relief in the moving clip filmed in Norfolk.