From Her Majesty's Jewel Vault: May 2012

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Badge

Photo:WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Pearl Triangle Brooch

The Pearl Triangle Brooch

The Pearl Triangle Brooch, so named after Leslie Field's description of it as an "unusual long narrow diamond triangle", includes two large pearls and a yellow diamond (difficult to pick out in most appearances) set in an ornate vertical diamond frame.

The brooch has been seen periodically from the beginning years of the Queen's reign. Its provenance is unknown though as with many of the brooches she's worn this long, pegging it as an inheritance or a gift is always a valid guess.

30 May 2012

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Luncheon

The Queen, Royal Colonel, was entertained to Luncheon at the Caledonian Club by The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

A regimental brooch, of course! This one's clever - it almost looks like just a big ol' diamond brooch from a distance.

Photos:Getty Images

The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Badge

The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Badge

The Queen was named Royal Colonel of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on her 21st birthday in 1947, when she was still Princess Elizabeth. She carries on that association today.

For events with the battalion, she can be spotted wearing a brooch version of their badge, which features the regiment's insignia and name surrounded by a wreath of thistle.

The badge

Appearances:
29 June 2021: Holyrood Week: Opening the Argylls' Museum
2 July 2018: Holyrood Week: Ceremony of the Keys
5 July 2017: Stirling Castle Visit
4 July 2016: Holyrood Week: Audiences
28 June 2013: Howe Barracks Visit
30 May 2012: Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Luncheon

Photos: Getty Images/Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders/Wikipedia

29 May 2012

Buckingham Palace Garden Party

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh gave an Afternoon Party in the garden of Buckingham Palace, accompanied by other members of the Royal Family.

Ah yes, time for one of the traditional London outings of the London lily brooch.

City of London Lily Brooch

Photos: WPA Pool/Getty Images

The City of London Lily Brooch

The City of London Lily Brooch

This brooch, in the form of a lily and grasses, was presented to the Queen by the City of London when she was given the Freedom of the City in 1947, just the third woman to receive the honor.

That was a prosperous year for the Queen's jewelry collection, as she received gifts for her 21st birthday and many more for her November wedding. In addition to this brooch, the Queen also received her other notable lily brooch that year: the Flame Lily. Decades later, she still wears them both; the City of London Lily made its most notable appearance at the Thanksgiving Service and luncheon held for the Golden Jubilee in 2002.

Appearances:
29 May 2019: Buckingham Palace Garden Party
16 June 2017: Grenfell Tower Relief Center Visit
29 May 2012: Buckingham Palace Garden Party
2011: Visit to Australia
2010: Visit to Canada
2006, 2008, 2009, 2011: Royal Ascot
2006: 80th Birthday Walkabout
2005: State Visit from China
2004: Easter Service
2003: Commonwealth Day Observance Service
2001: Royal Maundy Service

Photos: EPA/Getty Images

24 May 2012

Queen Victoria's Journals On-Line Launch

The Queen received several new Ambassador and High Commissioner appointees prior to launching the Queen Victoria Journals On-Line Project at Buckingham Palace.

How does this not warrant an outing for one of Queen Victoria's bows? I'm shocked, shocked I say! It's a good thing I'm not a betting woman, I would've lost big here.

Cullinan V Brooch

Photos:Getty Images

23 May 2012

Celebration of the Arts

The Queen, along with other members of the Royal Family, attended a "Celebration of the Arts" Reception, jointly held by the Royal Academies of Art, Music, Dance and Dramatic Art at the Royal Academy of Arts.

Considering what others wore...this is the model of restraint.

Diamond and Gold Rose Brooch

Photos:Getty Images

22 May 2012

Buckingham Palace Garden Party

The Queen, along with other members of the Royal Family, gave an Afternoon Party in the garden of Buckingham Palace.

They made HM meet Katie Couric, poor love. I suppose Couric wasn't allowed to ask the tough questions, like where on earth Queenie got that brooch.

Diamond and Gold Rose Brooch

Photos:WPA Pool/Getty Images

Audiences at Buckingham Palace

The Queen received several people for audiences at Buckingham Palace.

Probably the same brooch as the Garden Party, though we can't see it. One of those received by the Queen was David Hockney, who was presented with the Order of Merit.

Photos:Getty Images

The Diamond and Gold Rose Brooch

The Diamond and Gold Rose Brooch

This particular arrangement of diamonds spotted on the Queen's shoulder since at least 1967 doesn't have a known provenance, but it's a nice golden addition to Her Majesty's many floral brooches. Because of the lack of hard facts, I will stick to a purely generic name for it: the Diamond and Gold Rose Brooch.

Appearances:
22 May 2012: Buckingham Palace Garden Party
22 May 2012: Audiences at Buckingham Palace
1 March 2012: Fortnum & Mason Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon Opening
2011: Visit to Australia
1983: Christmas Broadcast
1967: Visit to Malta

Photos: Getty Images/Corbis

21 May 2012

Chelsea Flower Show

The Queen, Patron, Royal Horticultural Society, and The Duke of Edinburgh visited the Chelsea Flower Show in the Gardens of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.

Pushing past the spider web stuck on her head (I know, it's hard), we've got the Jardine Star plus a brand new brooch alert! The Royal Horticultural Society has presented their patron with a new brooch to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee. Click here for more details.

Jardine Star Brooch

Queen Mother's Palm Leaf Brooch

Photos:WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Chelsea Iris Brooch

To commemorate her Diamond Jubilee, the Royal Horticultural Society presented their royal patron, Queen Elizabeth, with this specially commissioned brooch. Inspired by the flower representing the Chelsea Flower Show Week, the Iris Unguicularis, the brooch comes from designer Kristjan Eyjolfsson. It uses 100% recycled British white gold alongside a mix of conflict-free diamonds and other stones; in total, there is a single large yellow diamond in the center, 30 tourmalines, 20 amethysts, 15 diamonds, and 60 sapphires (one for each year of the Queen's reign). The cost of the brooch has been reported at £40,000.

The Queen is presented with her brooch

The brooch made its public debut at the 2013 Chelsea Flower Show and became a regular selection for the event after that.

Appearances:
22 May 2017: Chelsea Flower Show
23 May 2016: Chelsea Flower Show
18 May 2015: Chelsea Flower Show
19 May 2014: Chelsea Flower Show
20 May 2013: Chelsea Flower Show

Photo: Kristjan Eyjolfsson/PA Wire

19 May 2012

Diamond Jubilee Armed Forces Parade and Muster

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh attended the Armed Forces Parade and Muster at Windsor Castle to commemorate Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee. Members of the Royal Family and of Foreign Royal Families were also present.

She wore one of her mother's brooches, not that anyone was paying much attention with all the medals and flypast awesomeness happening.

Cambridge Pearl Pendant Brooch

18 May 2012

Diamond Jubilee Sovereigns’ Luncheon

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh gave a Luncheon for Sovereign Monarchs at Windsor Castle to commemorate Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee. Several other members of the Royal Family were in attendance.

One doesn’t want to be too flashy and show up all the other sovereigns; after all, one’s already rubbing it in their faces that they probably won’t make it to 60 years. Best just to stick to modestly giant pearls with the Cambridge Pearl Pendant Brooch.

17 May 2012

Visit to the North West, Day 2

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh continued the visit to the North West of England to mark Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee in Chester, Warrington, and Liverpool.

I hear those carriage rides are pretty bumpy, so the Yellow Duckmarine can't have been that bad of a ride...

Frosted Sunflower Brooch

Queen Mother's Shell Brooch

16 May 2012

Visit to the North West, Day 1

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, with the Prince of Wales, commenced a visit to the North West to mark Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee in Lancashire.

Feathers and froof and favorite brooches, oh my!

Photos:WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Queen Mother’s Shell Brooch

The Queen Mother's Shell Brooch

This brooch has made a sudden surge of appearances on the Queen in the last decade. And why wouldn’t it, really, the thing’s just lousy with diamonds. The Queen Mother’s Shell Brooch (official name: the Courtauld Thomson Scallop-Shell Brooch) is, unsurprisingly, another gem out of the late Queen Mother’s jewel box that has found a new home amongst the Queen’s trinkets. It takes the shape of a shell made of solid rows of diamonds with a single pearl cradled at the base and strings of diamonds of varying lengths suspended underneath.

Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother

It was designed by Lord Courtauld-Thomson and was made in 1919. It was left to Queen Elizabeth, the future Queen Mother, in 1944 by his sister, Winifred Hope Thomson. The Queen Mother wore it often; most notably, she wore it during her 100th birthday celebrations.

Queen Elizabeth II

From all the jewels the Queen inherited when her mother passed away in 2002, this is one that has made it into regular rotation. It’s had several memorable outings, including the unveiling of the Queen Mother’s statue, Zara Phillips’ wedding, and the 60th anniversary of King George VI’s death. It seems to be not just a tribute to her mother, but something she actually likes.

Appearances:
25 December 2020: Christmas Broadcast, 2020
22 June 2019: Royal Ascot, Day 5
11 November 2018: Remembrance Sunday
22 June 2018: Royal Ascot, Day 4
19 April 2018: CHOGM Opening Ceremony
12 July 2017: State Visit from Spain, Welcome Ceremony
27 June 2017: Funeral of Countess Mountbatten of Burma
16 April 2017: Easter Service
19 April 2016: Release of 90th Birthday Commemorative Stamps
12 May 2015: Buckingham Palace Garden Party
11 April 2014: State Visit from Ireland, Farewell
22 June 2013: Royal Ascot, Day Five
14 May 2013: Order of Merit Service
16 May 2012: Visit to the North West, Day 1
30 March 2012: Memorial Service for the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret
6 February 2012: 60th Accession Anniversary
2011: Christmas Service
2011: State Visit from Turkey, Arrival
2010: Visit to Canada
2009: State Visit from Mexico
2008, 2009: Royal Ascot
2008, 2010: Easter Service

Photos: Rex/Getty Images/BBC

15 May 2012

Visit to South London

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the boroughs of Bromley, Merton, and Richmond.

This is the Pearl Trefoil Brooch, not that you can tell on this outfit and not that you're looking when she's topped it with that hat.

Pearl Trefoil Brooch

Queen Alexandra's Wedding Earrings

Photos:WPA Pool/Getty Images

13 May 2012

Windsor Horse Show Diamond Jubilee Pageant

The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family, took the salute at the Diamond Jubilee Pageant at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Now, this is a fascinating brooch choice. The Coral Rose Brooch is not seen very often at all, but it makes a striking complement to the golden peach of her outfit with all the red and the lighting in the venue. Also note we have a longer version of her traditional triple strand of pearls, and earrings from Queen Alexandra.

Coral Rose Brooch

Two Strand Pearl Necklace

Photos:Bauer Griffin/Getty Images

Queen Alexandra's Wedding Parure

Queen Alexandra's Wedding Parure

Albert Edward, Prince of Wales - son of Queen Victoria and the future King Edward VII - purchased a magnificent parure for his bride, Princess Alexandra of Denmark, as a gift for their 1863 wedding. The set from Garrard included a large diamond tiara plus a diamond and pearl necklace, set of earrings, and brooch. Alexandra wore the brooch, necklace, and earrings on their wedding day and she continued to wear the set for important occasions throughout her life. The tiara, popularly known as the "Rundell" Tiara, no longer exists (read more at Order of Splendor); the rest of the parure was split between royal ladies for a time but is now reunited in The Queen's collection.

The remaining pieces of the parure in The Queen's possession

Queen Alexandra's Wedding Brooch

Also known as Queen Alexandra's Triple Drop Brooch, this brooch has three large pearls set button-style in diamonds and three pendants with diamonds and drop pearls. The center part of the brooch and the three pendants are detachable. Queen Mary inherited the brooch (as well as the necklace and earrings) and it was subsequently inherited by The Queen. The Queen wore it in 1972 and it didn't appear again until 2014.

Left to right: Queen Alexandra, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Alexandra's Wedding Earrings

Also known as Queen Alexandra's Cluster Earrings, these two button earrings have large pearls surrounded by diamonds - 10 larger stones each plus smaller filler stones to create a full diamond ring. Like the brooch, these passed to The Queen via Queen Mary. They're now worn primarily at evening functions.

Left to right: Queen Alexandra, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Alexandra's Wedding Necklace

The necklace features 8 pearls surrounded by diamonds, each connected with festoons of diamonds, and three detachable diamond and pearl drop pendants. Queen Mary gave the necklace to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and she wore it constantly. The necklace was finally reunited with the brooch and earrings when The Queen inherited it in 2002. It was next seen publicly when it was loaned to The Duchess of Cambridge for the Dutch state banquet in 2018.

L to R: Queen Alexandra (on her wedding day), Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother

Appearances:
9 November 2019: Festival of Remembrance (Earrings)
10 November 2018: Festival of Remembrance (Earrings)
23 October 2018: State Visit from The Netherlands, State Banquet (Necklace on The Duchess of Cambridge)
21 April 2018: The Queen's Birthday Party (Earrings)
7 November 2015: Festival of Remembrance (Brooch)
8 November 2014: Festival of Remembrance (Earrings)
24 June 2014: Visit to Northern Ireland, Day 2 (Brooch)
9 March 2014: Prince Edward's 50th Birthday Party (Earrings)
13 May 2012: Windsor Horse Show Diamond Jubilee Pageant (Earrings)
1986: Wedding of The Duke and Duchess of York (Earrings)
1982: State Visit from the Netherlands (Necklace on The Queen Mother)
1972: State Visit to France (Brooch)
1960: Wedding of Princess Margaret and The Earl of Snowdon (Necklace on The Queen Mother)
Various Years: State Opening of Parliament
Various Years: The Garter Service (Earrings)
Various Years: Remembrance Events (Earrings)

Photos: Leslie Field/Corbis/Getty Images

The Coral Rose Brooch

The Coral Rose Brooch

Made by Cartier, this brooch includes two roses of coral. There's a diamond at the center of each rose, and two diamond petals off to the side. This is a French gift to the Queen, from the Order of the Liberation.

The gift was given in 1990 to mark the 50th anniversary of June 18, 1940 - the date on which Charles de Gaulle broadcast his famous Appeal of 18 June speech from London. On that same day, Winston Churchill also gave his "Finest Hour" speech. Appropriately, most of the few events this brooch has been worn for have had French connections, but it is not worn frequently.

Appearances:
13 May 2012: Windsor Horse Show Diamond Jubilee Pageant

Photos: Getty Images/Corbis

12 May 2012

Royal Windsor Horse Show

On May 11 and 12, the Queen paid private visits to the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

See? It's not black pumps all the time. Sometimes it's wellies.

Queen Mother's Palm Leaf Brooch

Photos:Getty Images/PA

11 May 2012

Diamond Jubilee Pageant Tea Party

The Queen hosted a tea party for the performers of the Windsor Horse Show Diamond Jubilee Pageant at Windsor Castle.

Look at all this swag for Liz: a new sombrero, and she got a hug from a child (to everyone's shock but her own) and a new bracelet to boot. The woven bead bracelet was given to her by Rose Kimanzi from the Kenyan delegation, and she popped it on (with Ms. Kimanzi's help) straight away.