To round off the four day weekend of Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Queen Elizabeth made an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony to greet crowds gathered in The Mall – alongside Prince Charles, Camilla Duchess of Cornwall and the Cambridge family.
We couldn’t help but notice the stunning brooch that she was wearing – the Queen’s jewellery collection famously features some of the world’s most eye-catching jewels, so jewellery experts at Steven Stone were keen to take a closer look.
In the 1850’s, Queen Victoria commissioned Garrard to make three bow brooches, using a selection of diamonds that she had already owned. But why? According to The Court Jeweller, all the jewels that had once belonged to her grandmother, Queen Charlotte, were awarded to her cousin, the King of Hanover. She lost numerous pieces – including a set of three diamond bow brooches – which Queen Victoria wanted to recreate in her honour.
After Queen Victoria’s death, they were left to the royal collection, meaning that they’ll be passed down from monarch to monarch in the years to come – they were given to the Queen on her coronation in 1952, who prefers to wear them as separate pieces, rather than as a trio. She wore one of them as part of her Diamond Jubilee in June 2012, during a visit to Nottingham with the Duchess of Cambridge.
Jewellery expert, Maxwell Stone, commented: “Created by Garrard for Queen Victoria in the 1850’s, there’s a lot of history to the Queen’s bow brooch. Part of a set of three, Queen Victoria commissioned the trio to be created using a selection of diamonds that she already owned – after her death, they were left to the royal collection, meaning that they’ll be passed down from monarch to monarch in the years to come.
Given to the Queen on her coronation in 1952, the diamond bow brooches have a huge amount of sentimental value. The Queen also wore this particular brooch as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012, so it’s incredibly fitting that she wore it during her final Platinum Jubilee appearance.
Encrusted in 3 carats of diamonds, I’d estimate the brooch to be worth around £120,000.”
If you’re looking for jewellery to rival Queen’s Elizabeth II’s collection, our team can design bespoke creations, tailored to you. From engagement rings and wedding rings to necklaces and pendants, your options are limitless.
