This mix of sapphires, rubies and diamonds creates one of The Queen’s favourite brooches. It depicts a basket – complete with twisted handle – of five colourful flowers spilling over, while the basket is trimmed with a green (probably emerald) band.
The gems are generally brilliant cut, although the band is created from baguette stones.
The Queen’s Flower basket brooch is a mix of colourful stones. Note the different shades you can see in the light
The brooch was a gift to Princess Elizabeth in 1948 from her parents, George VI and Queen Elizabeth, marking the birth of Prince Charles. We are unsure as to who made the piece.
The Princess then wore it for the first official photographs with the heir.
Interestingly, the Royal Collection gift shop stocks a costume version of this piece, along with a few other recognisable styles from The Queen’s jewellery collection. Shop here.
