In recent years, members of the Royal Family have dug out pieces from the royal vaults that haven’t been seen publicly in decades – including Queen Camilla who opted to wear the Rothschild Diamond Watch Brooch for the final day of Royal Ascot 2025.
The piece was last seen in public almost 90 years ago!
So let’s take a look at this brooch and its history…
The Rothschild brooch is a two-part piece: the upper section is shaped as a three-loop diamond bow, with a large central stone. Suspended from the bow is a short diamond chain that connects to a round floral pendant encrusted with diamonds.
At the centre of this pendant lies a hidden surprise – a small and elegant watch.
The brooch was originally a wedding gift to Princess Mary of Teck upon her marriage to the future King George V in July 1893.
The person who gifted the brooch to Mary was none other than Alice de Rothschild, a socialite and member of the Rothschild banking family of Austria. Known for her refined taste and significant wealth, Alice was a patron of the arts and a close acquaintance of European royalty.
Decades after it was first gifted, the brooch was seen adorning another royal figure – Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, later the Queen Mother. She wore the brooch publicly in July 1936 during a visit to an exhibition in London.
Following that 1936 appearance (which was the last time the brooch was seen in public), it was returned to the royal vaults, where it remained – until 2025.
