The Queen’s jewels are among some of the most precious in the world. From The Greville Tiara which was a said to be favourite of her mother’s, to The Imperial State crown which was made for George VI, the family collection of heirlooms are priceless.
However, as The Queen prepares to say goodbye to her beloved husband of 73 years, no doubt she will pay tribute to The Duke Of Edinburgh by wearing some of the precious pieces that he’s given over their years of marriage.
Not only did The Duke show his adoration by dazzling her with many beautiful jewels during their time together, several he was known to have helped design giving them even more sentimental value.
The Queen is no stranger to choosing jewellery rife with symbolism for public engagements, so it seems only fitting The Queen will choose to honour her late husband’s memory in such a way.
Will the Art Deco style platinum diamond bracelet The Duke gifted his bride-to-be back in 1947 make an appearance, or maybe she will simply choose a classic brooch attached to her coat?
Her sapphire and diamond ‘honeymoon’ brooch is also among speculation. There are countless possibilities.
These are a few of the gifts from Philip and sentimental jewels she may wear this weekend to honour the man she called her “strength and stay”.
The Honeymoon brooch
The Queen is not short of brooches, however this particular one includes a diamond and sapphire chrysanthemum and was gifted to her in 1946 by a shipping company when she launched an oil tanker named British Princess before she married Prince Philip.
Although this was not a gift from her late husband, it is associated with her relationship with him as she wore it in their official honeymoon portraits and again on their 60th anniversary and finally on their final wedding anniversary last November.
Andrew Grima Scarab brooch
It’s no secret that the Duke of Edinburgh had a creative eye which explains his love for designer Andrew Grima, who is known for revolutionising the British jewellery industry in the 60’s.
In 1966 the designer won the Duke of Edinburgh prize for Elegant Design and later that year Prince Philip gifted his wife with a yellow gold, ruby and diamond Scarab brooch by the said designer. It’s one of the Queen’s favourite pieces and she can be seen wearing it on many occasions, day or night, including their platinum anniversary in 2017.
Culling V brooch
Another sentimental piece the Queen owns is a Culling V brooch which she wore to mark the Duke of Edinburgh’s 99th birthday in June last year.
The priceless piece is set with heart-shaped diamond’s and holds the most sentimental value due to its romantic connotations, she was also seen wearing it at Princess Eugenie’s wedding.
Lover’s Knot brooch
The Queen sure does love a bow shaped brooch and this particular one was acquired by Queen Mary, her late grandmother, in 1932.
The large scalloped bow brooch is entirely set with diamonds and she often wears it for white-tie occasions including her sister’s wedding and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding in 2011.
Diamond engagement ring
Many of the royals engagement rings have touching stories behind them, but the history surrounding The Queen’s diamond may just take the win. The Duke of Edinburgh proposed to Princess Elizabeth in 1946, however the announcement was delayed until after the Prince’s 21st birthday in 1947, where the world got their first glimpse of her Majesty’s sparkler.
The Queen’s stunning diamond engagement ring features a three carat, round cut, diamond centre stone and ten smaller ones set in platinum. It was created all thanks to the sacrifice of Prince Philip’s mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg. The diamonds used came from one of her own antique tiaras.
Diamond wedding bracelet
Surprising his bride-to-be in addition to the beautiful engagement ring, the Prince also gifted her Majesty a diamond bracelet, created using the same diamonds from his mother’s tiara. Also made by London jeweller Philip Antrobus Ltd, with the help of the Prince’s creative eye, the stunning bracelet is set in platinum with a geometric art deco style.
The Queen wore the bracelet on her wedding day, and has been seen on her for many significant occasions throughout her reign. Even the Duchess of Cambridge has been spotted borrowing the dazzling trinket for a state banquet in 2015 .
Fifth anniversary bracelet
Traditionally a fifth wedding anniversary gift is crafted from wood, however Prince Philip threw out the rules taking it one step further in 1952 and commissioned french jewellery designer Boucheron to create a gorgeous decadent bracelet that he once again played a role in designing.
The bracelet was crafted in yellow gold, and incorporated three crosses, two in sapphire and one in ruby which sat alongside the Duke’s naval badge set in the diamonds, completed with a sweet romantic touch of interlocking initials E and P.
Source: Read Full Article