Happy Canada Day to all of our Canadian readers and followers (myself included)! In honour of the occasion, we are featuring one of the most Canadian jewels in the Queen’s vault- the Asprey Maple Leaf Brooch.
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Created with brilliant and baguette-cut diamonds mounted in platinum by Asprey & Co, the brooch was bought by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth ahead of the Royal Tour of Canada in 1939. The Maple Leaf is an instantly recognizable Canadian symbol, and has been featured on the Canadian flag since 1965.
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Worn extensively by Queen Elizabeth (more famously known as the Queen Mother) during the 1939 Royal Tour of Canada, the Maple Leaf Brooch was also worn at many engagements during WWII, on her lapel and hat. It was worn at many events throughout her life, including visits to Canada, and was inherited by the Queen in 2002.
Embed from Getty Images‘So, you’re taking over a very important job.’
🍁 Yesterday The Queen spoke to Ms. Mary Simon who has recently been appointed as the next @GGCanada . pic.twitter.com/HJY27Y3fSc
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 23, 2021
‘So, you’re taking over a very important job.’
🍁 Yesterday The Queen spoke to Ms. Mary Simon who has recently been appointed as the next @GGCanada . pic.twitter.com/HJY27Y3fSc
Apart from being loaned the piece in 1951 for her first Canadian tour, the Queen didn’t wear the Maple Leaf Brooch until 2008. Nowadays, it is worn solely for events relating to Canada. It was loaned to the Duchess of Cornwall and Duchess of Cambridge for their tours. The Queen also wore the Maple Leaf Brooch in a video for Canada’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation and an image released to mark Canada Day today.
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In 2009, the Queen loaned the Maple Leaf Brooch to the Duchess of Cornwall, who wore it multiple times during her Tour of Canada. The Prince of Wales and Duchess are in Canada today for the 150th Anniversary of Confederation, and it is likely that she has been loaned the brooch again.
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In 2011, the Queen loaned the Maple Leaf Brooch to the Duchess of Cambridge for her first visit to Canada. In 2016, the brooch was again loaned to the Duchess, who wore it at the Arrival, Government Reception, and Farewell of the Tour.
