Today is St David’s Day and Kate Middleton has made a glittering tribute to Wales through her jewellery.
Arriving at Combermere Barracks in Windsor to attend the St David’s Day Parade with Prince William, Kate Middleton stunned in a red Alexander McQueen coat and accessorised with a black fascinator and a diamond brooch that appeared to be in the shape of a leek.
A quintessentially Welsh symbol, leeks are often consumed in soups or stews on 1st March and to celebrate the patron saint of Wales, the royal couple presented them to officers and guardsmen.
Fine jewellery experts at Steven Stone couldn’t wait to take a closer look at the brooch and have revealed everything you need to know about it – including its history, value and which other royal ladies wear one.
Kate’s brooch is a replica of Queen Elizabeth II’s Welsh Guards Leek Brooch, which was gifted to the late monarch by Welsh Guards in 1960.
Identical to the cap badge of the Welsh Guards, the brooch was worn by the late monarch several times during her 70 year reign – primarily for events related to the Welsh Guards.
The Princess of Wales isn’t the only royal to have sported a replica of the original brooch and Camilla wore one on her lapel last September, when she accompanied King Charles on his first trip to Wales since he acceded the throne. Princess Diana also owned a replica of the brooch, which she wore on occasions involving the Welsh Guards.
Our experts estimate Kate’s brooch to be worth $30,000.
“Kate Middleton made a glittering tribute to Wales today by wearing a leek brooch, as she arrived in Combermere Barracks in Windsor to attend the St David’s Day Parade.
Kate’s brooch is a replica of Queen Elizabeth II’s Welsh Guards Leek Brooch, which she wore several times during her 70 year reign. Gifted to the late monarch by Welsh Guards in 1960, the diamond brooch is identical to the cap badge of the Welsh Guards.
The Princess of Wales isn’t the only royal to have sported a replica of the original brooch and Camilla wore one on her lapel last September, when she accompanied King Charles on his first trip to Wales since he acceded the throne. Princess Diana also owned a replica of the brooch, which she wore on occasions involving the Welsh Guards.
I’d estimate Kate’s brooch to be worth $30,000.”
maxwell stone, creative director, steven stone
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