Little is known about the impressive diamond chandelier earrings Kate first wore at a BAFTA reception in Downtown LA back in 2011, but over the past few years, they have become a firm favorite of the duchess. She also borrowed them for the queen's annual diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace back in December 2013 and again recently for the state banquet to honor President Xi Jinping of China.
Kate chose "The Language of Flowers" as the theme for her wedding, so it's not likely to be a coincidence that for the recent Chinese state banquet, she chose to wear the Lotus Flower tiara, as in China the lotus flower represents luck, good fortune, and joy. The tiara was originally a necklace given to the Queen Mother by her husband on their wedding day in 1923. The jewelers Garrard dismantled it and created the Lotus Flower tiara (also known as the Papyrus tiara.) It was then passed down to Princess Margaret, and it became one of her favorite pieces. She also lent it to her daughter-in-law Serena Stanhope for her wedding to Viscount Linley in 1993. When Margaret died, it was returned to the royal collection, and Kate not only wore it to the Chinese state banquet but also at the diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace in 2013.
