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Queen's necklace gives Kate Middleton extra sparkle on first glam outing out of the year

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As Kate Middleton arrived at the National Portrait Gallery there was a murmur of excitement as onlookers took in her appearance – suitably glam for the gala; her first official royal engagement of the year.

Her simple, midnight blue Jenny Packham gown was the epitome of elegance – but the real centrepiece of her outfit – and the addition that got everyone talking – was the exquisite diamond necklace that hung from her neck. 

© Photo: Getty Images

The stunning necklace which the Duchess wore was on loan from the Queen. It was a wedding present from the Nizam of Hyderabad – the monarch of India's Hyderabad State.The Nizam asked the Queen – then Princess Elizabeth – to choose two pieces of jewellery from Cartier to celebrate her 1947 wedding. 

She chose a tiara, which has now been taken apart and make into other pieces, and a necklace based on an English rose. It is still worn on occasion by the Queen today.

Cartier originally crafted the necklace in the 1930s. Originally it consisted of a long chain of 46 diamonds – which was eventually reduced to 36 – and a diamond-encrusted snap.

Its breathtaking centre-piece is pave-set with a detachable double-drop pendant, 13 emerald-cut diamonds and a pear-shaped drop.

The original version – which was purchased in 1936 but bought back by Cartier a year later – had three triple-drop and eight double-drop pendants.

© Photo: Getty Images

The Queen wearing the Nizam of Hyderabad necklace

The glittering necklace perfectly complimented the dress code for Kate's evening out, which was "black tie with a hint of sparkle".Prince William's wife – who was at the National Portrait gallery in her role as patron – met VIP guests including actor Alan Rickman, photographer David Bailey and transvestite potter Grayson Perry before attending a gala dinner.

Nine of these - eight double-drop and the larger of the triple-drop pendants - were removed and sold, however.

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