Princess Catherine turned heads at the London premiere of Digger on September 22, 2026, after stepping onto the red carpet in a deep-purple Jenny Packham gown and a historic royal necklace previously worn by Queen Camilla. The jewel was the Queen Mother’s amethyst sautoir, featuring pearls, diamonds, amethysts, and its distinctive heart-shaped pendant. Camilla famously wore the piece in 2012 when she attended the Skyfall premiere alongside her husband, then Prince Charles. Fourteen years later, Catherine appeared in a similarly dramatic purple look while standing beside Prince William, who now holds the title Charles carried at that earlier premiere. The visual connection immediately reminded royal watchers of the 2012 photographs, creating a striking sense of déjà vu. Catherine’s appearance also marked her return to a major film premiere after more than four years, following her appearance at Top Gun: Maverick in 2022.

The connection went beyond the purple gown and necklace. Catherine also wore Princess Diana’s Collingwood pearl-drop earrings, bringing another important piece of royal jewelry into the look. The earrings were given to Diana as a wedding gift in 1981 and have since been worn by Catherine on several major occasions. Online, the resemblance between Catherine’s 2026 appearance and Camilla’s 2012 premiere look sparked a lively “who wore it better?” discussion, with some viewers preferring Camilla’s velvet gown and others focusing on Catherine’s softer chiffon style. The two outfits were clearly different in fabric, shape, and styling, but the shared necklace, rich purple palette, and the presence of a Prince of Wales beside each woman created an unmistakable visual echo. What began as a fashion comparison ultimately highlighted how royal traditions and treasured family jewelry continue to pass from one generation to the next.