The Duchess of Cornwall's Worshipful Company of Plaisterers Badge

The Duchess of Cornwall added another piece to her badge collection this week.

The Duchess of Cornwall's Worshipful Company of Plaisterers Badge

During an evening reception for the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers on May 27, she was presented with a special version of their livery badge. The Duchess was made an Honorary Liveryman of the guild in April 2014.

The Master welcomes our Honorary Liveryman, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall pic.twitter.com/YTZdj0BAZd

— Plaisterers' Company (@Plaisterers) May 28, 2015

Seeing an opportunity to encourage the work of young craftspeople, the Company held a competition for the design of the brooch through the Goldsmiths' Centre and The Goldsmiths' Company. The winning design was created by 19-year-old Joshua Ganes and was crafted at the Centre in the studio of silversmith Clive Burr.

The Duchess receives a Livery Badge brooch at a reception hosted by The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers. pic.twitter.com/PQn3vudGMU

— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) May 27, 2015

The badge has the Company's coat of arms, which includes depictions of plastering tools, at its center and a surround that was inspired by the plasterwork at Plaisterers' Hall. Made from silver and silver gilt, it also includes white and blue enamel together with diamonds and blue sapphires. It can be worn as a brooch or as a pendant, and will surely be used by The Duchess of Cornwall for all future events with the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers.

For more, see these pieces by Professional Jeweller and The Goldsmiths' Company.

Appearances:
21 March 2018: Literacy Trust Anniversary Reception

Photos: Plaisterers' Company/Goldsmiths' Company, and Twitter

The Duchy of Lancaster Badge

View image | gettyimages.com

The Queen wears the Duchy of Lancaster Badge, 2015

The Duchy of Lancaster is one of two royal duchies (the second being the Duchy of Cornwall) and is held in trust for the Sovereign as a source of income (as the Duchy of Cornwall provides income for The Prince of Wales). The Dukedom of Lancaster merged with the crown when Henry IV came to the throne in 1399, and the title has remained with the Sovereign ever since.

A sketch of The Queen's brooch (via the Chorley Historical Society), left; an example of the Duchy of Lancaster coat of arms, right

The Queen is the current Duke of Lancaster, and she has a brooch associated with the Duchy of Lancaster coat of arms. The brooch includes a silver feather and a gold lion (with likely diamond accents) standing on a blue banner that reads Sovereyne.

View image | gettyimages.com

She uses the brooch as she uses all her badges (military or organizational), wearing it when visiting the Lancaster area and not incorporating it into her regular decorative brooch rotation.

Appearances:
25 May 2017: Visit to Manchester and the Duchy of Lancaster
29 May 2015: Visit to Lancaster

Photos: via Getty Images, Chorley Historical Society, and Wikimedia Commons

The Drapers’ Company Badge

The Drapers' Company Badge

The Drapers’ Company is one of the livery companies, or trade associations, in the City of London, and the Queen is its Freeman. As such, she has this special badge to wear as a brooch for related engagements.

The Drapers' Company Coat of Arms

The badge mimics the company’s coat of arms, which depicts “three sunbeams issuing from three flaming clouds crowned with three Imperial crowns of gold on a shield of azure”. The blue background looks to be enamel, with detailing in gold and a glittering surround. Framing the oval is the company's motto, "Unto God Only Be Honour and Glory".

Appearances: 
31 May 2017: Drapers' Company Anniversary Visit
26 October 2012: Drapers’ Academy Opening

Photos: WPA Pool/Getty Images/Wikipedia

Women's Institute Badge

Women's Institute Badge

The Queen is President of the Sandringham branch of the Women's Institute, a position she took over from her mother. She pays them an annual visit while at Sandringham for her Christmas holiday, and she wears their badge while doing so.

Appearances:
19 January 2012: Sandringham Women's Institute

Photos: Getty Images/Belga/BBC