Queen Camilla possesses an extraordinary jewellery collection. From regal tiaras and elegant necklaces to exquisite diamond earrings and brooches, many of these pieces are either owned, loaned, or gifted by other members of the royal family.
Her collection reflects both personal significance and royal heritage, showcasing the grandeur of generations past. Among the many standout pieces is a striking cabochon green emerald and diamond brooch.
While it’s often admired for its beauty, few realise that this brooch was originally one of Princess Diana’s necklaces – later transformed into its current form and worn with grace by the Queen.
Fine jewellery experts at Steven Stone have done a deep dive into the piece.
Part of the Royal collection, the diamond and emerald brooch was originally a necklace which belonged to Queen Alexandra in 1863. The Queen Mother then passed it down to Princess Diana in 1981 and she was pictured wearing it when attending a gala at the Vienna Burgh Theatre du during a visit to Austria in 1986.
The late Princess also sported the necklace during a visit to Toronto, Canada when she and the then Prince Charles attended a gala dinner at The Royal York Hotel. Following the Princess of Wales’ death in 1997, the necklace became part of the Royal Collection, lying in the hands of Queen Elizabeth.
However, in 2019, the piece was worn once more, no longer as a necklace, but now as a brooch. Queen Camilla was the first royal since Diana to be seen wearing the redesigned the piece, at a reception at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the then Prince Charles’ 50th anniversary as the Prince of Wales.
As for the design of the brooch, it features a cabochon teardrop emerald penchant which dangles from an oval of diamond, and our jewellery experts think it’s likely to be worth a staggering sum of money.
“This remarkable brooch features approximately four carats of white diamonds, arranged in 18 individual stones, and is crowned by a breathtaking three-carat cabochon-cut green emerald pendant. Once worn as a necklace by Princess Diana, the piece carries not only aesthetic brilliance but deep royal significance.
What makes it particularly meaningful is its symbolic connection to King Charles – shared by both Diana and Queen Camilla. At its heart are three diamond-encrusted ostrich feathers, the emblem of the Prince of Wales, a title Charles held before ascending the throne.
The jewel’s history stretches back to 1863, when it originally belonged to Queen Alexandra. It later passed through royal hands, gifted by the Queen Mother to Princess Diana upon her marriage in 1981. It’s also been worn by Kate Middleton.
The transformation of the necklace into a brooch likely has minimal impact on its value – especially if the redesign was recent and expertly executed. On today’s market, it could be valued at around £100,000, if not more had it remained in its original necklace form.”
Maxwell stone, creative director, steven stone
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