Queen Camilla has a number of brooches with military affiliations, including The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada brooch, of which she is the regiment’s Colonel-in-Chief.
This piece of jewellery takes the form of The Queen’s Own Rifles cap badge – a maple leaf, which is so often associated with Canada. It is crafted in silver and diamonds. At the centre sits the number 2 on a red background, topped by a crown, marking the royal connection. The 2 is the ‘original battalion and regimental designation of the unit’, according to the Governor General.
This is surrounded by a green banner stating the regiment’s name, while at the bottom it is ‘fastened’ to another ribbon with a buckle, featuring the unit motto: in pace paratus (in peace prepared).
Red and green are customary colours for rifle regiments.
The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada brooch was presented to the then-Duchess of Cornwall in 2012 The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada’s Honorary Colonel, Paul F. Hughes, CD, and his wife, Mrs Bev Hughes.
The regiment is a Primary Reserve group in the Canadian Armed Forces, based out of Toronto. It is the only reserve regiment to currently have a parachute role.
The presentation of the brooch continues a historical tradition, which had begun with Queen Mary, who was the Regiment’s first Colonel-in-Chief in 1928, serving until her death in 1953. Mary was presented with a brooch in the shape of the regiment’s badge and was presented to her as a mark of respect by the regiment.
Notable appearances of the brooch include the May 2025 visit to Canada, which marked Charles and Camilla’s first visit to the country since His Majesty’s accession to the throne. Camilla also wore the brooch during her first visit to the regiment in Toronto in 2012.
