Princess Anne is widely recognized as one of the hardest-working royals, consistently demonstrating a tireless dedication to her numerous engagements and charitable commitments.
Her meticulous approach extends to her choice of accessories, with a particular emphasis on her brooches. Each piece is thoughtfully selected and often imbued with deep symbolism, reflecting her personal values and the significance of the occasion.
From commemorative pins celebrating historical milestones to brooches that honour beloved causes, Princess Anne’s accessory choices are a testament to her refined taste and the profound meaning she attaches to her royal duties.
To celebrate the Princess Royal’s birthday, leading diamond experts at UK retailer Steven Stone have unveiled some of the most symbolic brooches in her jewellery collection.
Stalactite Brooch
Estimated Value: £16,000
Created by Andrew Grima, Princess Anne’s stalactite brooch has been in her jewellery box since 1973. It’s a particularly sentimental piece for Anne as she received it from her Mother – the late Queen Elizabeth II – as a wedding gift when she tied the knot with her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips.
The Princess Royal notably wore the brooch in May of this year, when she hosted the Not Forgotten Association Annual Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.
Diamond Ribbon & Tassel Brooch
Estimated Value: £40,000
Princess Anne’s diamond and tassel brooch features a rosette motif adorned with delicate drop tassels. This silver brooch holds special sentimental value, as it was a wedding gift from her brother, King Charles III, given to her when she married Captain Mark Phillips in 1973.
Though the Princess Royal hasn’t worn the decorative piece since a visit from the Spanish Royal Family in 2017, Princess Anne’s daughter Zara made the touching decision to wear it at the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023.
Horse Brooch
Estimated Value: £15,000
Princess Anne’s horse brooch is one of her most enduring pieces of jewelry, having been a staple in her collection since the 1980s. The Princess Royal has frequently worn this accessory to various races over the years.
The brooch is a remarkably fitting piece for the Princess for several reasons. Firstly, it aligns with her deep passion for horses and her successful equestrian career. Secondly, the horse symbol itself resonates with Princess Anne’s character, representing freedom and unrestrained spirit—qualities that perfectly reflect her own personality and values.
Diamond & Aquamarine Brooch
Estimated Value: £117,000 ($150,000)
Princess Anne’s diamond and aquamarine brooch wasn’t always a brooch, it was originally a tiara. The headpiece belonged to Queen Elizabeth, who gifted it to her granddaughter, Princess Anne, in 1973 as a wedding present.
Created by Cartier, the tiara is known as the Aquamarine Pineflower Tiara. Reflecting the French jeweler’s 1930s aesthetic, it features distinctive pinecone motifs. It is believed that King George VI commissioned the tiara as a gift for his wife, Queen Elizabeth, around 1938, to mark their 15th wedding anniversary.
Princess Anne had the central aquamarine and diamond element of the tiara removed and remounted as a brooch, likely to allow for more frequent wear. She notably wore the newly transformed brooch to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in June 2014.
The tiara remains in use today, with Princess Anne typically wearing it at state events. The large rectangular aquamarine now occupies the space where the central element was removed for the brooch.
Amethyst & Silver Brooch
Estimated Value: $5,000
To participate in Mike Tindall’s podcast in September 2023, Princess Anne accessorized her floral dress and navy blazer with a notably large brooch. The silver brooch features traditional engraving and is set with four amethysts. Known for its rich purple hues and long association with royalty, amethyst symbolizes power and prestige.
This wasn’t the first time Princess Anne has worn the brooch. Notably, she also donned it at the 2020 Guinness Six Nations match between Scotland and France, as well as at a Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland in Edinburgh earlier this year. It’s evident that the Princess Royal associates the piece with Scotland and Scottish rugby.
Ribbon Brooch
Estimated Value: $40,000
Featuring a loosely-knotted ribbon design, this gold brooch studded with diamonds was first worn by Princess Anne at Buckingham Palace in February 1969, during her meeting with Colonel Frank Borman, commander of the Apollo 8 mission.
A versatile staple in Princess Anne’s collection, the brooch is typically reserved for daytime wear but has also been worn to notable evening events, such as her trip to Washington D.C. in November 2014.
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