Princess of Wales Kate Middleton wears Bahraini pearl earrings to Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral
Updated 19 September 2022
Arab News
DUBAI: Princess of Wales Kate Middleton wore the Bahrain Pearl Drop earrings and the Four Row Japanese Pearl Choker to Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral on Monday.
Wearing traditional all-black attire, she paid tribute to the queen by opting for pearls that belonged to her late grandmother-in-law.
The Princess of Wales opted for Bahraini pearl earrings. (Associated Press)
The earrings feature round diamond studs, with baguette-cut diamonds in an arrangement typical of the late 1940s, as well as pearls as the drop.
The earrings were crafted using two of the seven pearls the Queen received as a wedding gift from Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa of Bahrain in 1947.
Royals from around the world also paid tribute to the monarch with their sartorial choices, with Queen Rania of Jordan opting for a black coat dress she had previously worn when meeting the Queen and Prince Philip during a state visit in 2001.
Queen Rania at the funeral on Monday. (Reuters)
Leaders and monarchs from across the globe gathered in London on Monday to bid farewell to Britain's Queen Elizabeth at a state funeral of inimitable pageantry, marking the passing of a figure who reigned for 70 years.
DUBAI: Siblings Razan and Ahmed Hassan presented their Fall/Winter 2026–2027 collection at Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday, continuing the rapid rise of their KML label.
The duo has gained international recognition since launching the brand in 2022, most recently being named semifinalists for the LVMH Prize — a prestigious annual award for emerging designers.
Creative director Ahmed’s minimalist designs and sharp tailoring mean KML — owned by his sister, Razan — has built its identity around reimagining traditional Saudi garments through a contemporary lens. Jackets are paired with shawl-like elements, large leather belts recall those historically worn by Bedouin men, and skirts nod to silhouettes once worn by men in the Eastern Province, Jazan and the Hijaz.
The collection leans on wrap constructions, asymmetry and elongated proportions. (Getty Images)
The approach is reflected in the new collection, which features a restrained palette of black, white and muted earth tones, leaning on wrap constructions, asymmetry and elongated proportions.
Flowing skirts, structured wrap tops and robe-like coats dominate the lineup, with some looks referencing classical draping while others lean toward utilitarian dressing, defined by sharp shoulders, cinched waists and clean, architectural lines.
In a previous interview with Arab News, Ahmed said their grandmother was a huge influence on their lives as he and his sister grew up in Riyadh. He fondly recalled both her progressive nature and inimitable style. As a young boy, Ahmed would often accompany her to fabric shops so she could get her designs stitched by a local tailor. The experience left an impression, though fashion was not an obvious initial career path.
Ahmed studied architecture and became an intern at Zaha Hadid Architects, where he developed an appreciation for structure and form. Razan, meanwhile, pursued law at Prince Sultan University and she went on to practice full-time.
“One summer, we both realized we weren’t doing what we truly wanted to do, so I decided to go to the UK to study creative writing, and Ahmed went to Central Saint Martins (in London) for a few courses,” Razan explained.
That was the catalyst for KML. In August 2023, they launched their debut capsule collection and towards the end of that year they applied to the Saudi 100 Brands program. The Fashion Commission recognized their potential, helping KML launch collections at fashion weeks in Paris, Riyadh and Milan.
