Earlier this week, Queen Camilla debuted a spectacular heirloom Aquamarine and Diamond Brooch that belonged to Queen Alexandra at the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey, which was seen for the first time in public despite having been a royal heirloom for over a century.
Composed of a massive cut Aquamarine set within an ornate filigree diamond heart, from which suspended is suspended a heart-shaped aquamarine from a Diamond Chain. The exact origin of this Brooch is unknown, but it is believed to have been created by Fabergé around 1904, and may possibly be one portion of a coat clasp that were popularly created by Fabergé in that era.
There was a stir of excitement when Queen Camilla appeared in this Aquamarine Brooch, but the Norwegian Historian Trond Norén Isaksen confirmed that it originated from Queen Alexandra, having recently seen her photographic inventory in the Royal Archives at Windsor Castle.
Queen Alexandra may have commissioned or received this spectacular Brooch around her 60th Birthday in 1904, but was not pictured wearing it. Neither was this brooch seen following Queen Alexandra’s passing in 1925, when it was inherited by Queen Mary, and then by the late Queen in 1953, remaining publicly unworn until earlier this week.
With her striking turquoise outfit, Queen Camilla wore Queen Alexandra’s Aquamarine Brooch for the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey earlier this week, seen for the first time in public after over a century of royal ownership.
After debuting Queen Mary’s Russian Sapphire Cluster Brooch at the Commonwealth Service last year, many had high expectations of Queen Camilla debuting another royal heirloom at this year’s Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey, especially as she would be leading the Royal Family, but this was a great surprise. Queen Camilla has been debuting several royal heirlooms in recent weeks, which have included the Queen Mother’s Cartier Bracelets and the Greville Ivy Leaf Clips, but let’s hope we see this spectacular brooch worn again soon!
Queen Mary’s Russian Sapphire Cluster Brooch
Greville Ivy Leaf Clips
Queen Mother’s Cartier Bracelets
I love that the Queen has been wearing “new” pieces from the vaults and making them her own. Wearing favourite pieces of her late Majesty is lovely, but will always evoke the past, whereas pieces like this aquamarine brooch will become linked with our present Queen.