What do Elizabeth Taylor, Margot Robbie, Catherine of Aragon, and Kate Middleton all have in common? Their adoration of heart-shaped pendants in all their unapologetically romantic glory. More than any other symbol of love, the heart is instantly recognizable—and arguably the most iconic motif in jewelry history.
Kate last week became the latest collector to wear her heart on her chain when she debuted a new gold pendant for a meeting with the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Elisabeth Mullally, at Lambeth Palace. The piece, from British designer Daniella Draper, is made from 9-karat recycled gold and featured a delicate inscription, although even the most eagle-eyed royal watchers have not been able to decipher the the Princess of Wales’s personal message.
“The heart endures because it reflects something fundamental about human nature: our desire to love, to be loved, and to hold onto meaningful connections,” says Sophie Howard, founder of jewelry house By Pariah. “It continues to resonate because it speaks the universal language of emotion, remaining a constant in a world of shifting trends.”
Jeweler Kiki McDonough, whose designs are worn by the Princess of Wales, agrees, “Hearts never lose their relevance because they are timeless and they can be interpreted in so many different ways. They appeal to lots of people, across generations and styles.”
Generations of royals have been charmed by the form. This week the British Museum announced the thrilling news that it had raised enough money to acquire a solid gold heart pendant from the Tudor period for its permanent collection. Inscribed with an “H” and a “K,” the piece is thought to be one of the few surviving artifacts commemorating the marriage of King Henry VIII to his first wife, Catherine (or Katherine) of Aragon. The pendant, dated to around 1518, features a Tudor rose entwined with a pomegranate bush, Catherine’s personal emblem, which symbolized fertility and her Spanish heritage. Beneath, a banner bears the inscription “TOVS IORS,” Old French for “always” or “all yours.”
