Jubilee Jewels: Queen Elizabeth to Showcase Her Jewelry at Windsor Castle
In honor of her Platinum Jubilee this summer, Queen Elizabeth will give royal watchers and jewelry aficionados a rare peek into her personal collection of jewels. On loan to the Royal Collection Trust, several significant pieces of jewelry, along with Her Majesty’s clothing, will be displayed throughout the Royal Palace for guests to view.
Throughout her 70-year reign, the Queen’s fashion has been on display the world over. Known for her ornate hats and demure purses, her choice of jewelry for significant occasions usually comes with a nod to the event or country she is visiting. One piece of note is the Canadian Maple-Leaf Brooch. The Asprey & Co. piece was worn by Queen Elizabeth upon her first visit to Canada in 1971. First worn by her mother, Queen Elizabeth, ahead of the Royal Tour of Canada in 1939, it was also loaned to the Duchess of Cornwall and Duchess of Cambridge for their subsequent Canadian tours.
The Flame-Lily Brooch is a nod to Zimbabwe and Zambia. She wore this pin upon a return trip from Kenya upon the news of her father’s death. Her Australian Wattle Brooch was a gift from the people of Australia when she visited in 1954. Other brooches on display include the New Zealand Silver Fern Brooch and the Sri Lanka Brooch set.
Perhaps the most spectacular and sparkling piece from the collection is the famous Diamond Diadem, which Queen Victoria inherited in 1821. With 1,331 brilliant-cut diamonds and two rows of pearls and diamonds, the crown was gifted to the Queen weeks after her Accession to the throne. Set in the form of a rose, shamrocks, and thistle, the gems represent England, Ireland, and Scotland. In 1953, in honor of her coronation, Queen Elizabeth inherited the Delhi Durbar necklace. It is composed of nine emeralds and a diamond pendant cut from the Cullinan diamond.
Not to be outshined by the dazzling display of jewels, several poignant clothing garments worn by Queen Elizabeth throughout her reign will also be on display for public viewing. Of note, at Windsor Castle visitors can see the Norman Hartnell-designed Coronation Dress and purple silk velvet Robe of Estate worn by Her Majesty on the very day when she began her reign as the Queen of England. Also on display will be outfits worn and gifts received for her previous Jubilee celebrations: Silver, Golden, and Diamond.
About The Author
Debbie Azar is the Co-Founder and President of Gemological Science International (GSI), one of the largest gemological organizations in the world, and a distinguished leader in the global diamond and jewelry industry. As an executive with extensive knowledge of the jewelry and gem lab industries, her entrepreneurial skills and vision have helped GSI achieve rapid and continuous growth worldwide, establishing 13 leading-edge gemological facilities on four continents. She currently serves on the boards of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Responsible Jewellery Council, and Jewelers for Children, and is a member of the 24 Karat Club of New York. She has been featured in Forbes, Daily Mail, Good Morning America, Bloomberg, Bloomberg Businessweek, Fox Business, Fox5, CBS2, BOLDTV, Varney&Co, The Street, and NASDAQ, among others.
