Kate Brings Some Magic to the BAFTAs

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stepped out on Sunday evening to attend the BAFTA ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall in London, and Kate gleamed in brand-new jewels for the occasion.

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The jewels may have been new, but the dress was a glittering repeat. The BAFTAs red carpet had a theme of sustainability this year, and everyone was asked to wear an outfit they’d worn before. Kate chose to repeat an Alexander McQueen gown she wore in Malaysia in 2012.

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The dress was originally worn for an official dinner in Kuala Lumpur during the couple’s Diamond Jubilee Tour of Singapore, Malaysia, the Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu in September 2012. The dress appears to have been altered since that appearance, especially in the sleeves and shoulders. For the original outing, Kate accessorized with a suite of gold leaf jewels from Catherine Zoraida. (You can read more about them here!)

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This time around, Kate wore a new suite of jewelry from Van Cleef and Arpels.

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Her necklace and earrings are part of the company’s classic Magic Alhambra range. Her pieces appear to be made of mother of pearl set in yellow gold. The clover-shaped elements of the jewels neatly echoed the glittering floral designs on her gown.

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Kate’s not the only Magic Alhambra fan in the royal family. The Duchess of Cornwall is a collector of Van Cleef and Arpels jewels, and she has several Alhambra pieces. She’s especially fond of this pair of diamond earrings, which she often wears for important state occasions. Above, in December 2019, she wore them with her diamond serpent necklace for the royal film premiere of 1917 in London.

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Camilla also has a gorgeous suite of Magic Alhambra jewels, including earrings and a necklace, made of malachite set in gold.

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The jewels have also popped up on other royals. The same necklace worn by Kate at the BAFTAs on Sunday was worn at the Golden Nymph Awards (the closing ceremony of the annual Monte-Carlo Television Festival) in June 2019 by Princess Maria Chiara of Bourbon-Two Sicilies.

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Princess Caroline of Monaco has also been spotted recently in Magic Alhambra stud earrings, worn for a luncheon during a visit from the President of China in March 2019.

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Along with her new Magic Alhambra jewels (and her usual engagement, wedding, and eternity rings), Kate also wore an impressive ring on her right hand.

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Here’s a closer look. The ring features an impressive gemstone — perhaps a citrine or topaz?