King Charles and Queen Camilla attended the first Maundy Thursday service of their reign this morning.
More than 70 years ago, Queen Elizabeth II marked the Royal Maundy Service for the first time and the tradition has continued every year since. This years took place at York Minster – King Charles III was last in the city in November to unveil a statue of the late monarch.
During the service, His Majesty presented 74 men and 74 women (signifying the age of the monarch) with Maundy Money to thank them for their outstanding Christian service and for making a difference to the lives of people in their local communities.
Sporting a navy dress with white detailing and a matching hat, Queen Camilla accessorised with the Queen Mother’s Rock Crystal Brooch.
Fine jewellery experts at Steven Stone have revealed everything you need to know about the piece.
Likely to have been made by Cartier, the interesting brooch features rock crystal, surrounded by an Art Deco diamond motif.
A transparent variety of quartz, rock crystals are some of the most common and recognizable crystals in the world. Often used in jewellery, it’s believed to have spiritual and healing properties – thought to protect its wearer from negative energy, it’s a particularly apt crystal for Camilla to be wearing as present, as the royal couple have been met by protestors at recent engagements.
Having inherited the piece from her Mother after her sad passing in 2002, Queen Elizabeth II gifted it to Camilla, who began wearing it shortly after her wedding to the then Prince Charles and has regularly worn it since.
Recent appearances include the State Opening of Parliament in 2021, the Royal Festival of Remembrance in 2021 and the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.
“It comes as no surprise to see that Queen Camilla wore such a special brooch for today’s Maundy Thursday service, as it’s the first of hers and the King’s reign.
Queen Camilla accessorised her navy dress and matching hat with the Queen Mother’s Rock Crystal Brooch. Likely to have been made by Cartier, the interesting brooch features rock crystal, surrounded by an Art Deco diamond motif. A transparent variety of quartz, rock crystal is thought to protect its wearer from negative energy – something that’s particularly apt at present, as the royal couple have been met by protestors at recent engagements.
Having inherited the piece from her Mother, Queen Elizabeth II gifted it to Camilla, who began wearing it shortly after her wedding to the then Prince Charles. The royal often wears it to memorial or remembrance events.
I’d estimate the brooch to be worth $20,000.”
maxwell stone, creative director, steven stone
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