5 Brooches of Majesty

An insider’s look at Queen Elizabeth II’s jewelled pins and the stories behind them

1 Queen Mary’s Turquoise and Diamond Brooch

Worn by Queen Elizabeth II during a special broadcast about the coronavirus, this historic sparkler is from the same collection as Meghan Markle’s wedding tiara. It belonged to the Queen’s grandmother, Queen Mary, who was also the proud owner of the Vladimir Tiara, a Romanov sparkler mounted with pearls that can be replaced with emeralds.

2 Prince Albert’s Brooch

Given to Queen Victoria by her husband-to-be Prince Albert the day before their wedding in 1840, this brooch has been worn by all four subsequent queens and queen consorts. It’s a favourite of the current British monarch and she has been photographed wearing it numerous times.

3 Queen Mother’s Diamond Palm Leaf Brooch

Cartier was commissioned to create this pin, which is inspired by the Scottish town of Paisley, for the late Queen Mother in 1938. Craftsmen collected a handful of loose, unused diamonds from her collection, which they then arranged to depict a paisley textile design.

4 Prince Philip’s Scarab Brooch

The Queen chose to wear her colourful Scarab Brooch for her platinum anniversary portrait. Designed in yellow gold by Andrew Grima, a society jeweller, in the 1960s, this ruby-and-diamond-set clip was a present from her late husband, Prince Philip, who gave it to her in 1996.

5 Queen Elizabeth II’s Aquamarine Brooches

For VE Day last year, the Queen wore a pair of aquamarine brooches, which she was gifted on her 18th birthday in 1944 by her father, King George VI. Made by French jewellery house Boucheron, these art deco-style clips can be worn separately as well as together.