The Princess of Wales is renowned for her exquisite collection of jewelry, boasting stunning pieces once graced by Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana. Yet, during her recent public appearance, Kate chose to wear a meaningful and contemporary accessory.

At 44, Prince William’s wife hosted the England women’s rugby team at Windsor Castle to honor their victorious Rugby World Cup campaign from the previous autumn.

In her role as patron of the Rugby Football Union, Kate donned a striking scarlet suit designed by Alexander McQueen to warmly welcome the Red Roses players.

However, it was her choice of jewelry that captured attention, as it paid homage to her January 9 birthday. She reportedly marked the occasion with a lunch at The Funghi Club, a French café in Hungerford, Berkshire, accompanied by her mother, Carole Middleton, 70, and her sister, Pippa, 42.

To complement her ensemble, the princess selected the Auree ‘Bali’ January birthstone necklace, which she first wore in June 2022 while baking with her children—Princes George and Louis, and Princess Charlotte—for a Jubilee lunch.

The necklace, valued at £595, hails from a London-based brand and features 9ct yellow gold with a garnet stone. It includes a gold disc polished on one side and brushed on the other, with a beautiful gemstone nestled alongside it.

But that wasn’t the only piece of striking jewellery that Kate decided to wear to the occasion; she also wore a shimmering pair of Katherine James pearl earrings in 18ct yellow gold.

The large, £995 earrings – first worn by the royal in February 2025 – contain five pearls surrounded by golden wiring.

The Princess of Wales (pictured), 44, welcomed England’s Red Roses to Windsor Castle this afternoon to celebrate their Rugby World Cup triumph last autumn

However, those wishing to emulate the princess’s chic jewellery collection will have to look elsewhere, since both pieces are sold out online.

Hosting the winning women’s rugby squad today, Kate greeted guests including captain Zoe Stratford, double Rugby World Cup winner Marlie Packer and head coach John Mitchell – who were all named as OBE recipients in the New Year Honours.

They were joined by vice-captain Megan Jones, standout back row Sadia Kabeya and Sports Personality of the Year nominee Ellie Kildunne, all recognised with MBE awards. 

Kildunne became the first female rugby player to be shortlisted for the BBC gong and the first English rugby ace since Jonny Wilkinson and Jason Robinson in 2007.

The full back said at the time: ‘To be the first female rugby player ever to be nominated is a huge honour.

‘We’ve been told no-one’s going to watch women’s rugby and no-one’s bothered, so to be able to say I’ve been nominated for something as big as Sports Personality is something I’m hugely proud of.

‘It’s something I’ve got to pinch myself about given the number of fantastic sports stars that could have been nominated.’ 

Golfer Rory McIlroy ultimately won the award, with Kildunne coming in second.

For the occasion, Kate sported her Auree ‘Bali’ January birthstone necklace (pictured right) and her Katherine James pearl earrings in 18ct yellow gold (pictured left)

Kate, patron of the Rugby Football Union, looked the part in a scarlet suit from Alexander McQueen as she greeted the players 

The Princess of Wales couldn’t contain her smile as she met with members of the Red Roses squad

Kate poses with members of the England Women’s rugby team at Windsor Castle today

The players arrived late for the reception after their coach broke down and their private tour of Windsor Castle, ahead of their reception with Kate, had to be cancelled. 

The princess followed the team’s campaign in her Rugby Football Union role, watching from the stands when they defeated Australia in Brighton in a pool match, and then joining the players when they held a celebratory sing-song in the changing rooms.

In the final, the Red Roses beat Canada 33-13 in front of a record 81,885 spectators who filled a sold-out Twickenham, a third World Cup victory following wins in 2014 and 1994.

Only New Zealand have won the women’s trophy more times than the Red Roses, taking it home on six occasions including the previous tournament in 2022 – after it was delayed by a year due to the pandemic. 

The team’s win was just the latest addition to a glittering summer of women’s sport, with the England women’s football team retaining their Euros crown back in July.