Princess Charlotte Didn't Appear to Wear an $1,800 Necklace Designed by Prince Harry's Ex on Christmas—But Did She Rock a $13 One Instead?
The 9-year-old wore a crystal choker that looks like one from her mom's favorite high street brand.
Princess Charlotte stole plenty of hearts when she joined the Royal Family for their annual walk to church on Dec. 25, even stopping and posing for selfies with fans. The 9-year-old daughter of Prince William and Princess Kate matched with her mom in a navy-and-green plaid coat as she stepped out on Christmas, but one detail many royal watchers might have missed is her dainty necklace.
The tween wore a delicate gold chain featuring various colors of rough-cut crystals, with dozens of media outlets reporting that the design was an $1,800 piece from Prince Harry's ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy's jewelry line, Aya. It was a story I found rather puzzling, because if you follow the Wales family at all, giving a 9-year-old a nearly $2,000 necklace isn't quite their style, not to mention the fact that Aya's necklaces all feature bezel-set stones and nothing that resembles this design at all.
I was chatting with my friend and fellow royal style expert Christine Ross about the mystery this morning, and after shooting off emails to the designer, got to work searching for something similar. Unsurprisingly, Ross—who authors the Princess Project newsletter—quickly pulled up a link to an £11 (roughly $13) necklace from one of Princess Kate's favorite brands, Accessorize. A representative from Aya did not get back to Marie Claire in time for publication, but after poring over the photos from Christmas this seems to be the design Charlotte was wearing—or at least an almost exact version of it—versus a four-figure necklace.
The 14-carat gold-plated piece—which was originally £22 and is now half-off at Debenhams—features quartz, carnelian, amethyst, citrine and onyx stones. It's a pretty and age-appropriate piece for a young princess, and crystals like citrine are said to bring the wearer joy and positive energy.
High street brand Accessorize has been one of Princess Kate's go-to affordable labels for years, and she's worn some of their under-$20 earrings for everything from Zoom meetings to casual daytime outings to her annual Christmas carol concert.
As for the rest of her look, Charlotte coordinated with her mom in a full green-and-navy ensemble, pairing her checked coat with blue tights, patent Mary Janes by Papouelli and a forest green velvet bow by another one of her mom's favorite brands, Beulah London.
Unfortunately, the Accessorize necklace Charlotte seems to be wearing is unavailable to ship to the United States, but you can tap into your own princess energy with these pieces, below.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.
Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.
Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.
-
You're Going to Be Booked and Busy With the Amount of Exciting Novels Coming in 2025
These are the new fiction books that should be on your TBR stack.
By Andrea Park Published
-
This J.Crew Lingerie Collab Is a Valentine You Can Send Yourself
The label teamed up with Araks to design decadent silk bralettes.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Apparently We All Want to Smell Like Sexy Moss in 2025
The year's top 10 fragrance trends, ahead.
By Jamie Wilson Published
-
The Surprising Word Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis's Nanny "Is Banned" From Using
It's not what you might expect.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Kate Middleton Won't Let the "Looming Responsibility" of Becoming Queen "Take Her Away" From Her Children
The Princess of Wales is putting her kids before the monarchy.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince William and Kate Middleton's Decision About Prince George's Future School Is "Pretty Much Sealed"
But a royal expert just predicted an "ideal" option for all *three* Wales kids.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis Have a More Normal 2025 in Store—and Could Get "Spoiled" a Bit, Too
Sounds like the Wales kids might be in for some fun this year.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Kate Middleton Didn't Seem Very Pleased When Queen Camilla Instructed Her How to Take Care of Princess Charlotte and Prince George
"Take her!"
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
How Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis Overcame a "Very Frightening" Year Due to Princess Kate's Cancer Diagnosis
"They're bound by the situation they're in."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Kate Middleton and Her Siblings Reunited Over the Holidays so Their Children Could "Spend Time Together"
Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis remain close to their cousins, Princess Kate's brother has revealed.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
The Subtle Sign Proving That Princess Charlotte "Idolizes" Her Mom Princess Kate
"There is something very endearing about it," an expert shared.
By Amy Mackelden Published