The Special Meaning Behind Kate Middleton's Honeycomb Bee Earrings
Kate Middleton visited a cancer care center in Manchester today wearing her honeycomb bee earrings-which she chose for a special reason.
The bee is the symbol of Manchester because the bee "is an industrious little grafter, individually insignificant but collectively a superorganism."
The last time we saw the Princess of Wales wearing the earrings was in 2022 when she and Prince William opened the Glade of Light Memorial in Manchester, which commemorates the 22 lives lost in the 2017 bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester Arena.
Featuring bee and honeycomb charms, the earrings were specially designed for Kate by VanLeles Diamonds and pay tribute to Mancunians' "hard work ethic."
For her visit to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester today Kate paired the earrings with a blue coatdress by Eponine.
During her conversation with a patient, Kate-who announced in March 2024 that she was diagnosed with cancer and in January 2025 that she was in remission-said she knew how "hard" it is for the families of cancer patients.
"I know how hard it was for the children and my parents," she said. "You go through it with them."
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Earlier this year on February 6 Kate shared a message for World Cancer Day via her and Prince William's official Instagram account.
"On World Cancer Day, my thoughts are with everyone who is facing a cancer diagnosis, undergoing treatment or finding their way through recovery," she said.
"Cancer touches so many lives-not only patients, but the families and friends and caregivers who walk beside them."
She went on, "As anyone who has experienced this journey will know, it's not linear. There are moments of fear and exhaustion. But also moments of strength, kindness, and profound connection."
In the last few months Kate has been seen out and about more and more often in her role as the Princess of Wales.
Two days ago she stepped out alongside her father-in-lawKing Charles III to mark the 125th anniversary of Cancer Research UK.
Kate wore a cute silk red dress by Rodarte, whose white polka dot pattern in the shape of tiny hearts was very on brand for this season.
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In May her solo trip to Italy marked her first international trip since she underwent treatment for cancer two years ago.
And in March Kate stepped out in her first tiara look of 2026: the Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara, which she paired with a forest green Andrew Gn gown for the Nigerian state banquet at Windsor Castle.
The elegant tiara, featuring 19 pearls hanging from a series of diamond-encrusted arches each topped with a lover's knot design, was one that Princess Diana was frequently pictured in during her lifetime.
The color is thought to have been chosen as a tribute to the green in the Nigerian flag.
This weekend is set to be a family affair for Kate and William as they attend the wedding of Prince William's cousin Peter Philips to nurse Harriet Sperling.
The wedding reception will be hosted by Princess Anne on her Gatcombe estate-find out which of the royals are invited (or uninvited) here!
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This story was originally published June 4, 2026 at 5:06 PM.