This unusual looking brooch is made from ‘freeform’ gold (it looks like an abstract sun to me) and recycled carved rubies, with small diamonds studding it. The rubies are reportedly from an old Indian headdress.
The Duke of Edinburgh had this made for The Queen in 1966. Andrew Grima, the brooch’s designer, came to the attention of Lord Snowdon (Princess Margaret’s husband) after he complained of a boring jewellery industry.
Grima won The Duke of Edinburgh’s Prize for Elegant Design, The Queen’s Award for Industry, and a Royal Warrant after the gift was given.
It certainly holds a special place in The Queen’s collection: she wore it for official photos to mark 70 years of marriage to Prince Philip in 2019. This brooch is usually seen on pink and red outfits.
the queen and prince philip’s 70th wedding anniversary is celebrated in this first image of a new set (matt holyoak)
Feature photo: Nicholas de Camaret`
