Kate and Pippa Middleton
Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (R) sits with her sister Pippa Middleton on Centre Court for the men's singles final tennis match between Roger Federer of Switzerland and Andy Murray of Britain at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London July 8, 2012. Reuters/Toby Melville

When Prince William was born, his mother Princess Diana received a simple personalised gold necklace from Prince Charles. His sister-in-law, Pippa Middleton, apparently thought to continue the tradition by gifting her sister, Kate Middleton, a similar necklace after the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to her first child, Prince George.

According to British jeweller Merci Maman, Charles gave Diana a gold circular pendant engraved with their firstborn’s name. The simple gold chain also bore her initial “D” to keep the jewellery minimal and personal.

When George was born in 2013, Pippa reportedly decided to continue the family tradition by giving her older sister a similar necklace engraved with the newborn’s full name, George Alexander Louis. The gold chain also has a little boy charm and a heart engraved with a “W” for William’s name.

According to Newburgh Gazette, the owner of Merci maman said that Pippa is a regular customer of the store. She sent a thank-you note as well after the bespoke pendant was created for her sister. The jeweller now sells a replica of "The Duchess Necklace" over on its website for £79 (AU$130). The necklace can also be personalised with the customers’ preferred engraving, chain length and charms.

A replica of the necklace Pippa Middleton commissioned for her sister, the Duchess of Cambridge
A replica of the necklace Pippa Middleton commissioned for her sister, the Duchess of Cambridge mercimamanboutique.com

Prince Harry’s sacrifice for William and Kate

The necklace was not the only piece of jewellery that Kate received upon joining the British royal family; she also received Diana’s diamond and sapphire engagement ring, thanks to Prince Harry’s sacrifice.

According to the Daily Star, Harry inherited the ring when their mother died in 1997, while William took her Cartier watch. The boys reportedly had a pact that whoever was the first to propose marriage to someone would take the ring to give to his intended. William proposed to Kate in 2010, and therefore Harry apparently sacrificed the engagement ring for his brother and sister-in-law.

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