King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in Kenya yesterday, ready to embark on their four-day state visit.
Today marked their first public appearance in the Commonwealth nation, where they received a ceremonial welcome at the official residence in Nairobi – during which, they were greeted by Kenya’s President William Ruto and his wife First Lady Rachel Ruto.
Looking as elegant as always, Queen Camilla was wearing a white silk dress and a diamond brooch that has quite the family history.
Diamond experts at UK retailer Steven Stone have revealed everything there is to know about the brooch – from which other Royals it belonged to, to its all important price tag.
The Scallop-shell brooch
Estimated value: £30,000
This sea-life inspired brooch that Queen Camilla was wearing is officially called the Courtauld Thomson Scallop-Shell Brooch.
Made in 1919, it was left to Queen Elizabeth – wife of George VI – in 1944 by Courtauld-Thomsen’s sister, Winifred Hope Thomsen.
The shape, as you may have guessed, represents a scallop-shell and features pavé-set diamonds around a single pearl.
Queen Elizabeth wore it often, most notably during her 100th birthday celebrations in 2000.
After Queen Elizabeth’s sad passing in 2002, it was passed down to her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II. The late monarch wore the brooch to the wedding of Zara and Mike Tindall at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, Scotland, on 30th July 2011.
“For her first public appearance in Kenya, Queen Camilla was wearing a striking diamond brooch that has quite the family history.
Featuring pave set diamonds around a single pearl, the scallop shell brooch was made in 1919 – it was left to Queen Elizabeth by Courtauld-Thomsen’s sister, Winifred Hope Thomsen. Queen Elizabeth regularly wore the piece, most notably during her 100th birthday celebrations in 2000.
When Queen Elizabeth sadly passed away in 2002, she left the brooch to her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II. One of the late monarch’s most valuable brooches, she wore the heirloom to the wedding of Zara and Mike Tindall at Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh, Scotland in 2011.
I’d estimate the sea life inspired brooch to be worth £30,000.”
maxwell stone, leading diamond expert, steven stone
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