Queen Camilla has often worn jewellery with a sentimental value to it and the 2024 Easter Sunday Service at St George’s Chapel was no different, when she wore Queen Mary’s emerald and sapphire flower brooch.
This colourful piece certainly catches the eye…so let’s take a look at its design and history.
The brooch is an exquisite example of early 20th-century craftsmanship, taking the form of a multi-layered flower. At its centre is a dazzling diamond, encircled by rows of overlapping semicircles that form petal-like shapes. These petals are adorned with vibrant emeralds and sapphires, adding a colourful and regal touch to the design.
Originally owned by Queen Mary, the brooch was a staple of her jewellery collection. She was frequently photographed wearing it during the early 1900s, underscoring its importance to her personal style.
A closer look at Queen Mary’s emerald and sapphire flower brooch. (Dressing the Queen by Angela Kelly)
One of the most notable occasions Queen Mary donned this brooch was in August 1909, when the Royal Family hosted Tsar Nicholas II and his family during the Cowes Regatta on the Isle of Wight.
After Queen Mary’s death in 1953, the brooch became part of the extensive jewelry collection inherited by her granddaughter, Elizabeth II.
While it did not rank among Queen Elizabeth II’s most frequently worn pieces, it made occasional appearances during her reign.
One memorable outing for the flower-shaped brooch occurred at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 1997, reflecting Queen Elizabeth’s penchant for understated elegance at informal yet prestigious events.
The brooch gained renewed attention in 2012, when it was featured in Angela Kelly’s book ‘Dressing The Queen: The Jubilee Wardrobe’. The book, which offered an insider’s perspective on Elizabeth II’s iconic style, included photographs of several brooches from her collection, including this floral masterpiece.
