Queen Camilla Loves Her Brooches
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
Queen Camilla's style has remained remarkably consistent over the years. There's one thing for certain: She loves accessorizing with an on-theme brooch. Whether it's a ballerina to meet ballerinas, or a horseshoe to attend a race, Camilla uses her brooches very intentionally.
"I was scrutinized for such a long time that you just have to find a way to live with it. Nobody likes to be looked at all the time and, you know, criticized," Camilla told British Vogue of all the public attention she faces. "But I think in the end, I sort of rise above it and get on with it. You’ve got to get on with life."
Here, a guide to Queen Camilla's best brooches through the years.
Queen Mary's Diamond, Sapphire, and Emerald Brooch
This smaller, scalloped brooch previously belonged to Camilla's late mother-in-law Queen Elizabeth II, though the royal was not often seen out in it. The piece, which appears to have originally belonged to Queen Mary, is set with emerald and sapphire petals outlined in diamonds, and has not been seen in public in many years.
Pictured at Easter service, 2024.
Queen Mother's Rock Crystal brooch
This rock crystal brooch features an Art Deco motif. The Queen Mother started wearing the brooch sometime in the 1920s, and upon her passing, Queen Elizabeth inherited the brooch. The late queen gifted it to Camilla shortly after Camilla's wedding to Charles.
Pictured at the Maundy Thursday 2023 service.
Prince Albert’s brooch
Ahead of his wedding to Queen Victoria, Prince Albert gifted her with a sapphire and diamond brooch, per The Court Jeweller. Victoria wrote it was "a splendid brooch, a large sapphire set round with diamonds, which is really quite beautiful." Camilla, Queen Consort debuted this brooch during a visit to Germany.
Pictured in Hamburg, Germany, in March 2023.
Horse Racer brooch
The Queen Consort debuted a new racing brooch at the Cheltenham Festival in March, featuring a horse and a jockey. It appears to be one very similar to a brooch owned by Queen Elizabeth.
Pictured at the Cheltenham Festival 2023.
Queen Mary's Russian Sapphire Cluster brooch
Gifted to Camilla by Queen Elizabeth II, and featuring diamonds and sapphires, the brooch was a favorite of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
Pictured at 2023 Commonwealth Day Service.
Queen Victoria's Hesse Diamond Jubilee brooch
A heart-shaped pin with three blue sapphires, given to Queen Victoria by her grandchildren to celebrate Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.
Pictured at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Diamond Knot brooch
A diamond in the shape of a simple knot is one of Camilla's favorite brooches. When she arrived at Buckingham Palace as Queen Consort for the first time following Queen Elizabeth's death, she opted for this piece.
Pictured here in 2020.
Diamond Thistle brooch
Queen Elizabeth gifted Camilla this diamond thistle brooch; the thistle is the national flower of Scotland. Read more here.
Pictured at a Service of Thanksgiving for Queen Elizabeth in Edinburgh.
Horseshoe brooch
A horseshoe made up of diamonds, sapphires, and rubies. It spells out "Minoru," per the Court Jeweller, King Edward VII's horse that won the Epson Derby in 1909.
Pictured at Ascot's November Racing Weekend 2022.
RAF brooch
A silver brooch that features a crown and wings; gifted to her by RAF Halton.
Pictured on April 28, 2016.
Diamond and Moonstone brooch
An elegant accessory.
Pictured at Ascot Racecourse in July 2022.
Welsh Guards Leek Brooch
This is the diamond Leek Brooch of the Welsh Guards, often worn by Queen Elizabeth at events with the Welsh Guards. The leek is a traditional symbol of Wales.
Pictured in Wales in September 2022.
Pearl of the Dee brooch
A brooch made for the Queen Mother, inspired by a fisherman's hand-tied salmon fly and commissioned by the Salmon and Trout Association. Very fitting for any Scottish outings.
Pictured at Scotland's Braemar Gathering in 2006.
Diamond Bow brooch
This diamond brooch Camilla chose to wear to her father's funeral in 2006.
Pictured in 2006.
Bugle Horn brooch of the Rifles
This diamond and emerald brooch was commissioned by the Rifles for Camilla; she took over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Rifles from the late Prince Philip, so it was a fitting tribute to his memory. She also wore the brooch to his funeral.
Pictured at the Service of Thanksgiving for Prince Philip.
Ladies of North Wales brooch
This diamond and emerald pin features a leek, the symbol of Wales. The Queen Mother wore it at Charles's investiture as Prince of Wales.
Pictured in Wales in 2006.
Diamond and Black Pearl brooch
To her wedding to then-Prince Charles in 2005, Camilla wore a fleur-de-lys brooch with black pearl and diamond, that British Vogue reported King Edward originally purchased for Alice Kempell. Alice was Camilla's great-grandmother, and Edward's mistress.
Pictured at her wedding in April 2005.
Van Cleef & Arpels Dragonfly brooches
Camilla is a longtime fan of Van Cleef & Arpels, and often sports their jewelry. Pictured here are the brand's dragonfly brooches, which she has worn frequently over the years.
Pictured in 2012.
Van Cleef & Arpels "Lucky Animals" Bird brooch
Camilla also wears many of Van Cleef's "Lucky Animals" brooches, included this bird.
Pictured in 2022.
Van Cleef & Arpels Ballerina brooch
"The Maison created its first fairies and ballerinas in the early 1940s, thus marking the beginning of an iconic tradition at Van Cleef & Arpels," the jeweler shares.
Pictured in 2008.
You Might Also Like
