Yesterday, the Princess of Wales attend the St David’s Day Parade of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards at the Combermere Barracks in Windsor, for the first time since the Prince became the Colonel of the Welsh Guards and Heir to the British Throne, so she wore, for the first time, an emblematic Welsh Guards Diamond Leek Brooch!
Welsh Guards Diamond Leek Brooch | Queen Alexandra’s Ladies of North Wales Leek Brooch | Prince of Wales Feathers Brooch | Queen’s Welsh Guards Leek Brooch
The Queen
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In the 1960s, the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards presented a Regimental Gift to the Queen, with each guardsman paying 12c and a half pence. The Diamond Leek Brooch is identical to the cap badge of the Welsh Guards and was debuted in 1965, with the late Queen wearing the Brooch on several occasions, most recently the modified Trooping the Colour Ceremony at Windsor Castle in 2020.
Diana, Princess of Wales
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The then Prince of Wales had been the Regimental Colonel of the Welsh Guards since 1975, and thus the Regiment presented a Diamond Leek Brooch to the late Diana, Princess of Wales at some point in the mid-1980s, which was worn to several Wales-related events through the early 1990s but not publicly worn since.
Queen Camilla
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A Diamond Leek Brooch was also give to the the then Duchess of Cornwall after her marriage to the now King Charles III in 2005. Stylistically, the Diamond Leek Brooch is different from the Queen’s Brooch and the one worn by the late Diana, Princess of Wales, which was proved with a notable appearance of both Diamond Leek Brooches on both the late Queen and current Queens Camilla in 2015. The Brooch was most recently worn for a Service in Wales after the death of the late Queen last year.
The Princess of Wales
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When the current Prince of Wales was appointed the Colonel of the Welsh Guards last year, and then it was announced that he would be was to accompanied by the Princess to attend their first annual St David’s Day Parade at the Combermere Barracks in Windsor, there was speculation whether the Princess of Wales would wear one of the existing heirloom Diamond Leek Brooches, though it seems that a new for us piece was given by the Welsh Guards! Lets hope we continue to see this emblematic jewel for years to come!
Welsh Guards Diamond Leek Brooch | Queen Alexandra’s Ladies of North Wales Leek Brooch | Prince of Wales Feathers Brooch | Queen’s Welsh Guards Leek Brooch
There are at least 3 different brooches. QEII's and Diana's were not the same. The closest match to Catherine's is the one worn by Diana b/c of the twist of the leaves on the left but it could also be new just for her. L-R: Liz, Cam, Di, Kate pic.twitter.com/DDHCjBhzNJ
— Tiara Mania (@TiaraManiaBlog) March 1, 2023
There are at least 3 different brooches. QEII's and Diana's were not the same. The closest match to Catherine's is the one worn by Diana b/c of the twist of the leaves on the left but it could also be new just for her. L-R: Liz, Cam, Di, Kate pic.twitter.com/DDHCjBhzNJ
— Tiara Mania (@TiaraManiaBlog) March 1, 2023
