The particular brooch she chose, generally worn on the left, often indicated a connection with the person, country or organisation she was visiting.
It could also suggest the memory of someone close to her, with the “royal brooch code” now being embraced by the younger royals as they pay tribute to her with their own jewellery choices.
On the opening day of Royal Ascot this year Queen Camilla accessorised her outfit with the Queen Mother’s Shell Brooch, a poignant choice for an event that meant so much to the late Queen.
Queen Elizabeth would often wear her mother’s brooch for important family events, such as Zara and Mike Tindall’s wedding and the unveiling of a statue honouring the Queen Mother.
One of Queen Elizabeth’s favourite brooches was Prince Albert’s Brooch, which Prince Albert presented to Queen Victoria the day before their wedding in 1840.
It is thought the brooch may have been manufactured in Germany, leading the late Queen to often wear it when making a state visit to the country.
Prince Albert’s Brooch is an “heirloom of the crown”, meaning it is specifically intended for the use of Queens Regnant and Consort in the United Kingdom.
The brooch has been worn by all five of the women who have since held those positions: Queen Alexandra, Queen Mary, the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth II and now Queen Camilla.
Camilla recently wore the item for a state visit to Hamburg with King Charles.
Queen Alexandra’s Three Feathers Brooch, also known as the Prince of Wales Brooch, was worn by Kate, Princess of Wales, for King Charles’s first state visit as monarch.
She wore it to welcome South African President Cyril Ramaphosa when he came to the UK in November 2022.
Both Queen Camilla and Princess Diana have also worn the brooch, with Diana being gifted it by the Queen Mother following her engagement to Charles.
After Diana’s death in a car accident in 1997 the brooch returned to Queen Elizabeth’s collection.
For Queen Elizabeth’s funeral on September 19 last year, many of the royal women wore jewellery from Her Majesty’s personal collection in tribute.
Queen Camilla wore the Hesse Diamond Jubilee Brooch, originally given to Queen Victoria by her eight grandchildren to mark her Diamond Jubilee on June 22, 1897.
Queen Elizabeth celebrated her own Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and then her Platinum Jubilee last year, just months before her death.
Victoria’s great-great granddaughter broke her previous record as the longest reigning British monarch, making it to 70 years ahead of Victoria’s 63.
