Kate Middleton Wears Queen’s Nizam of Hyderabad Necklace

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The Duchess of Cambridge is known for wearing budget-friendly pieces, such as the $35 Zara necklace she rocked at the premiere of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

In February 2014, though, the lovely princess opted for something a little grander because she is, after all, entitled to those royal jewels.

Kate Middleton wears the most expensive royal jewel in the world at the Portrait Gala 2014 fundraiserKate Middleton wears the most expensive royal jewel in the world at the Portrait Gala 2014 fundraiser held at the National Portrait Gallery in London, England, on February 11, 2014 (Credit: WENN)

For her first royal engagement of the year, Kate attended the National Portrait Gallery gala wearing a gorgeous floor-length Jenny Packham gown.

Kate Middleton wears the Queen's Nizam of Hyderabad necklaceKate Middleton wears the Queen’s Nizam of Hyderabad necklace (Credit: WENN)

The dress was beautiful, but all eyes were on her necklace — the Queen’s Nizam of Hyderabad necklace.

Kate Middleton in a gorgeous blue Jenny Packham gown and Jimmy Choo platform pumpsKate Middleton in a gorgeous blue Jenny Packham gown and Jimmy Choo platform pumps (Credit: WENN)

Believed to be the most expensive jewel in the Queen’s collection, the necklace was a wedding gift for the Queen from an Indian monarch named Nazim. Its value is likely around $80 million dollars.

Kate Middleton wore a silk tulle evening dress from Jenny Packham's Autumn Winter 2013 collectionKate Middleton wore a silk tulle evening dress from Jenny Packham’s Autumn Winter 2013 collection (Credit: WENN)

The drool-worthy jewelry piece, which was made by French luxury goods conglomerate Cartier, has 38 diamonds, a detachable double-drop pave pendant made of 13 pieces of emerald-cut diamonds, and a pear-shaped center.

The Nizam of Hyderabad necklace was a wedding gift to Queen Elizabeth IIThe Nizam of Hyderabad necklace was a wedding gift to Queen Elizabeth II (Credit: WENN)

Below is a clearer view of the necklace that is described by Hugh Roberts, the former Director of the Royal Collection and Surveyor of The Queen’s Works of Art, as a “pavé-set center with detachable double-drop pendant incorporating 13 emerald-cut diamonds and a pear-shaped drop; the chain of 38 brilliant-cut open-back collets with an elongated oval brilliant-set snap.”

The Nizam of Hyderabad necklace was a gift from the Nizam of Hyderabad in 1947The Nizam of Hyderabad necklace was a gift from the Nizam of Hyderabad in 1947

You can feel like a princess, too, with the following lovely alternatives we found at Shopbop:

Adia Kibur Short Crystal NecklaceAdia Kibur Short Crystal Necklace, $65

Juicy Couture Brillliant Blooms Gemstone Drama NecklaceJuicy Couture Brillant Blooms Gemstone Drama Necklace, $178

Kate Spade New York Estate Garden Statement NecklaceKate Spade New York Estate Garden Statement Necklace, $348

Kate Middleton’s gorgeous silk dress is unfortunately no longer available online:

Jenny Packham Silk GownJenny Packham Silk Gown, €4,059