The Royal Family put their best foot forward this afternoon to support King Charles III on the first Commonwealth Day since he became King.
Founded in December 1931, the Commonwealth currently contains 54 countries. According to the Royal Family’s website, the purpose of the organisation is to ‘foster international co-operation and trade links between people all over the world’.
Marking the beginning of a week-long series of events and activities happening around the globe, the royals attended a Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey.
Despite battling the wind as she arrived for the service, the Queen Consort looked as elegant as ever and we couldn’t take our eyes off the dazzling brooch that she was wearing.
Leading Diamond Experts at Steven Stone have taken a close look at the piece and revealed everything you need to know – including which royal it originally belonged to.
For the service, Camilla donned a blue Fiona Clare outfit with a Philip Treacy hat. The Queen Consort accesorised with a diamond and sapphire brooch that looked familiar.
The dazzling brooch is Queen Elizabeth II’s Russian Sapphire Cluster Brooch – a stunning sapphire, diamond, and gold filigree brooch that’s said to have been originally owned by Empress Marie Feodorovna of Russia.
According to Buckingham Palace, the brooch was left to Queen Elizabeth when Queen Mary passed away in 1953. Though the late monarch did wear it for the official photos taken on her honeymoon with the late Duke of Edinburgh at Broadlands in Hampshire in 1947, it was the Queen Mother who would continue wearing it. After the Queen Mother’s death in 2002, it returned to the Queen’s collection.
One of the most valuable piece of sapphire jewellery worn by the royal family, our experts estimate it to be worth £500,000.
“Camilla wore Queen Elizabeth II’s Russian sapphire cluster brooch to this year’s Commonwealth Service – a stunning sapphire, diamond, and gold filigree brooch that’s said to have been originally owned by Empress Marie Feodorovna of Russia.
According to the palace, the brooch was left to Queen Elizabeth when Queen Mary passed away in 1953, however it was the Queen Mother who would carry on wearing it. After the Queen Mother’s death in 2002, it returned to the Queen’s collection.
The brooch features 18 large diamonds around a smaller, detailed gold setting, with a large 8 to 10 sapphire stone in the centre. I’d estimate it to be worth £500,000.
Wearing this brooch today is a poignant choice from Camilla as it’s the first time that the event has taken place since the Queen’s death in September. ”
maxwell stone, creative director, steven stone
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