How Kate Middleton’s meaningful brooch connects her to Queen Elizabeth II

There’s more to Kate Middleton’s latest accessory choice than meets the eye.

The Princess of Wales, 41, wore a replica of one of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite pieces — the Welsh Guards Leek Brooch — while joining Prince William Wednesday at a St. David’s Day military parade at the Combermere Barracks, Windsor.

The original brooch was designed for Her Majesty in 1960 as a regimental gift funded by the guardsmen.

In the decades that followed, the Queen wore her leek brooch to almost all of her engagements with the Welsh guards as they are a national symbol of the country.

Now, replicas of the sparkling style are owned by many members of the royal family; the late Princess Diana wore one to a parade of the First Battalion of Welsh Guards in London in 1990, while Queen Corsort Camilla sported hers during her first visit to Wales after the Queen’s death in September 2022.

As for Middleton, she pinned hers to the lapel of one of her favorite coats, a custom Alexander McQueen double-breasted number with black buttons, next to an actual leek to match the soldiers, which they wear in memory of St. David’s guidance in a battle against the Saxons.

Further committing to the bit, the Waleses handed out the allium to officers of the Welsh Guard.

The mom of three paired the look with Gianvito Rossi boots ($1,595) and delicate black embroidered gloves.

Middleton previously wore the same ensemble to Prince William’s Sandhurst graduation in 2006, although she opted for a large hat at the time instead of her small black fascinator. 

This has already been a busy week for the Prince and Princess of Wales; on Tuesday, they competed in a spin class race — with Middleton winning, even in a skirt and heels.

Perhaps she’ll celebrate with some homemade leek soup.