5 Royal Secrets: The Shocking True Story Behind Kate Middleton's Forgotten Jewelry Collaboration
Long before she became the Princess of Wales and an international style icon, Kate Middleton had a surprisingly normal job that led to a jewelry collaboration that is still a best-seller today. This little-known project, which dates back to 2007, reveals a discreet side of the future Queen and her early connection to charitable work, proving her eye for design was sharp even before she joined the Royal Family.
As of December 22, 2025, the story of the Mother & Child Pearl Pendant Necklace continues to captivate royal enthusiasts and jewelry lovers alike. It is a unique piece of history, a physical link to a time when Catherine was simply Kate Middleton, an accessories buyer who partnered with British pearl specialist Claudia Bradby to create a meaningful piece for the Junior Jigsaw brand.
The Designers: Claudia Bradby and Catherine, Princess of Wales
This collaboration brought together two figures who, at the time, were on very different trajectories, yet shared a common vision for creating meaningful, accessible design. The history of both women is essential to understanding the enduring success of the necklace.
- Name: Catherine Elizabeth Middleton (now Catherine, Princess of Wales)
- Born: January 9, 1982, in Reading, Berkshire, England
- Education: St Andrew's School, Marlborough College, University of St Andrews (History of Art)
- Pre-Royal Career: Worked for her parents' company, Party Pieces, and notably as an Accessories Buyer for the British high-street retailer Jigsaw and Jigsaw Junior from 2006 to 2007.
- Role in Collaboration: Assistant Accessories Buyer for Jigsaw Junior, working directly with Claudia Bradby on the design and concept of the charity pendant.
The other half of the partnership, Claudia Bradby, is a celebrated name in British jewelry design, particularly renowned for her work with pearls.
- Name: Claudia Bradby
- Brand Launch: Late 1990s/2000
- Specialty: Stylish, affordable freshwater pearl jewelry.
- Design Philosophy: Focuses on story-telling, meaning, and the natural beauty of pearls, which she sees as representing "power for growth" within us all.
- Signature Style: Known for her fresh approach, initially stringing pearls onto knotted leather.
The pairing was a natural fit: Kate, with her emerging eye for accessories and retail experience, and Claudia, with her expertise in creating jewelry that carries deep, personal significance. The resulting piece was designed to be both chic and deeply meaningful, a perfect blend of high-street accessibility and lasting sentiment.
The Mother & Child Necklace: Design, Meaning, and Enduring Popularity
The official product of the collaboration is the "Mother & Child Pearl Pendant Necklace." This piece is not just a beautiful accessory; it is a celebration of one of the most fundamental bonds in life, which is precisely what Kate Middleton aimed to achieve.
A Deeply Personal Design Concept
The collaboration took place while Kate was working for the *Jigsaw Junior* division, and the intention was to create a piece that celebrated the connection between two generations. The design itself is simple, elegant, and timeless, embodying the classic style that Kate herself is famous for.
- The Silver Nugget: The centerpiece of the design is a solid sterling silver nugget. This specific element was originally designed by Claudia in close collaboration with Kate Middleton. It provides a tactile, organic anchor to the pendant.
- The Freshwater Pearl: Joining the silver nugget is a beautiful, delicate baby freshwater pearl. Pearls are a signature element of Claudia Bradby's work, representing power and growth. The combination of the solid silver and the natural pearl symbolizes the strength and purity of the mother-child relationship.
- The Chain: The pendant hangs from a sterling silver chain, typically 16 inches, allowing the piece to sit close to the heart.
The necklace was explicitly designed to appeal to both mothers and daughters, making it a perfect gift for occasions like Mother’s Day. It is a piece of jewelry with meaning, a mantra of connection that resonates with people across the UK and beyond.
The Legacy of a Best-Seller
Despite being conceived in 2007, the Mother & Child Pearl Pendant Necklace remains a staple and a best-selling piece in the Claudia Bradby collection today. This longevity speaks volumes about the design's success and the enduring appeal of the story behind it. The necklace is a testament to Kate's early, understated talent for spotting and helping to create a commercially successful and emotionally resonant accessory.
The piece is a favorite among those who appreciate subtle elegance and a connection to royal history without the prohibitive cost of high-end royal jewels. It perfectly aligns with the Princess of Wales's current patronage and focus on early childhood development and the importance of parental bonds, giving the historical collaboration a renewed, contemporary relevance.
Kate Middleton's Jigsaw Stint: A Glimpse into Pre-Royal Life
The collaboration with Claudia Bradby is inextricably linked to Kate Middleton's brief but formative career at the Jigsaw retail company. This period offers a fascinating look at the "normal" life she led before her engagement to Prince William.
Kate took the role of an Accessories Buyer for Jigsaw and Jigsaw Junior in 2006, a part-time position that allowed her to balance her burgeoning relationship with Prince William and the intense media scrutiny that followed. The job was based at the company's headquarters in Kew, south-west London.
Her time at Jigsaw was marked by discretion and a focused, hard-working attitude. Claudia Bradby herself noted Kate's "ability to understand discretion" as a "key quality," a trait that would later serve her well in her royal duties. Kate was reportedly "throwing herself into it with gusto and energy," working with clothing buyers and contributing enthusiastically to the business.
The move to Jigsaw was a strategic one, allowing her to gain professional experience in the fashion world—a passion she clearly held—while navigating the increasingly public nature of her personal life. The opportunity to collaborate on the Mother & Child necklace for the Junior Jigsaw charity was a natural extension of her role, allowing her to apply her creative input to a project with a meaningful, charitable outcome.
The Charitable Heart and Style Legacy
The "Mother & Child" collaboration was not merely a commercial venture; it was undertaken for *Junior Jigsaw*, the charitable arm or focus of the retailer at the time. This detail is crucial, as it establishes a pattern of charitable collaborations that Kate has continued throughout her royal life.
The Princess of Wales is now known for using her platform to promote charities, often through fashion and jewelry. For example, she has famously worn earrings made in tribute to a young woman who died by suicide, with proceeds supporting a mental health charity, and has inspired collections supporting The Aspinall Foundation.
The 2007 Claudia Bradby necklace, therefore, serves as the earliest known example of a now-signature element of her public life: leveraging her style influence for social good. It foreshadowed her later work and her deep commitment to causes related to family, children, and mental health.
The Mother & Child necklace is more than a historical footnote; it is a powerful entity in the narrative of Catherine's journey. It stands as a symbol of her pre-royal work ethic, her charitable spirit, and her innate ability to connect with the public through accessible, meaningful design. For royal fans, owning this pendant is owning a piece of the Princess’s personal story, a tangible reminder of the accessories buyer who became the Princess of Wales.
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