A Regal Collection: An Exploration of Queen Elizabeth II's Jewellery
Queen Elizabeth reigned for almost 71 years. During that time, she became known for her impeccable taste and style, and Queen Elizabeth II's jewellery collection is no exception.
Spanning several decades, the Queen's collection includes both her personal jewellery, inherited from previous monarchs and gifts from foreign leaders, as well as the Crown Jewels, which are used during the coronation of each new British monarch. From diamond tiaras to pearl necklaces, the Queen's jewellery collection is a fascinating glimpse into the history of the British monarchy and the art of jewellery making. This article will take a closer look at the Queen's jewellery collection, including some of her most famous pieces, their history, and where the public can view them.
"Her Majesty’s life has always been about the legacy of the royal family, in the UK and Commonwealth; her jewels form very much part of that legacy," says royal expert Katie Nicholl.
Personal Jewels And National Treasures
The Queen of the United Kingdom, Elizabeth II, had a large personal collection of jewellery. Many of the pieces in her collection were inherited from previous monarchs, and some were gifts from foreign leaders and dignitaries.
Some of her most famous jewellery pieces include the Crown Jewels, which she did not own personally but are part of the Royal Collection, held in trust by each successive monarch on behalf of the British people. Items of the Crown Jewels are worn at the coronation of each new monarch.
In her personal collection, highlights included many beautiful Brooches. One of the most famous is the American State Visit Brooch. The Queen also owns many pearl necklaces, including the five-strand pearl necklace that was a wedding gift from her father, King George VI.
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The Queen Had A Large Personal Jewellery Collection
The Queen personally owned about 300 pieces of jewellery worth millions of pounds, comprising 98 brooches, 46 necklaces, 34 pairs of earrings, 15 rings, 14 watches, and five pendants, making up the Queen's personal jewellery collection. The Queen's Gallery in Buckingham Palace served as a repository for the jewels while they were not in use.
What Was The Queen’s Favourite Jewellery?
It is not publicly known what the Queen's favourite jewellery pieces were. However, she was known to wear certain pieces frequently and on multiple occasions. She frequently wore a sapphire and diamond brooch that her father had given her on her 18th birthday, as well as the pearl and diamond brooch that her mother had given her on her wedding day. She also often wore the suite of aquamarine jewellery that the people of Brazil gifted during her state visit in 1968. This was almost certainly one of her favourite jewellery sets, and she even wore it for her son's' wedding.
It's worth remembering that The Queen has been known for her stoic and composed nature. Thus, her favourite jewellery may not be determined necessarily by the frequency with which she wears it but more by sentimental value and personal preferences.
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Did The Queen Ever Wear Items From The Crown Jewels?
The Queen wore items from the Crown Jewels on certain occasions. The Crown Jewels are a collection of ceremonial objects, including crowns, sceptres, and other regalia, that are used during the coronation of a new British monarch. The Crown Jewels are kept at the Tower of London and are used during state occasions and ceremonial events, such as the State Opening of Parliament. The Queen also wore items of the Crown Jewels on special occasions, such as her official birthday or important church events.
During her coronation, the Queen was crowned with St. Edward's Crown, which is made of gold and is set with 444 precious stones, including sapphires, emeralds, and pearls. She also held the Sovereign's Sceptre, which is made of gold and is set with a large diamond, known as the Star of Africa, and the Sovereign's Orb, which is also made of gold and is decorated with precious stones.
The Queen also wore the Imperial State Crown and the St. Edward's Crown during the annual State Opening of Parliament. For the journey from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament, the current monarch wears the Imperial State Crown.
Did The Queen Have A Favourite Jeweller?
The Queen had a long association with several renowned jewellers over the years. Some of the notable jewellers that have worked with the Queen and other members of the royal family include:
Garrard & Co: Garrard & Co. has been the official crown jeweller for the British royal family for more than 200 years. They have made several pieces for the Queen, including the wedding gift pearl necklace and the sapphire and diamond brooch that was a gift from her father on her 18th birthday.
Cartier: Cartier has also had a long association with the royal family. The company has made several pieces for the Queen, including a sapphire and diamond brooch that was a gift from King George VI to his wife, Queen Elizabeth (later known as the Queen Mother), and a sapphire and diamond necklace that was a gift to Queen Elizabeth II from the Nizam of Hyderabad.
House of Boucheron: The House of Boucheron has also supplied jewellery to the royal family, including a diamond and sapphire brooch that was a wedding gift to the Queen from the president of Brazil.
It is not publicly known whether the Queen had a favourite jeweller. Her majesty is known for her discretion, and she probably did not have any official preference in that matter.
The Queen received many jewellery gifts from different countries and dignitaries over the years. Hence, much of her collection came from various sources without her needing to purchase them.
Did The Queen Lend Her Jewellery To Other People?
The Queen lent jewellery from her personal collection to other royal family members. She has lent tiaras and other pieces to her daughters-in-law, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, for events such as state banquets and royal weddings. She also lent jewellery to her granddaughters, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie.
Usually, this kind of lending was very much a privilege of the royal family members. The Queen had discretion in lending jewellery as part of her role as the head of the royal family. The jewels the family members wear were usually chosen from the Royal Collection and not from her personal collection, which are family heirlooms.
As a general practice, members of the royal family do not publicly discuss or disclose information about their personal jewellery collections, so there's limited information available about this topic.
Has The Queen Given Gifts Of Jewellery To Other People?
Over the years, the Queen gave gifts of jewellery to other people as part of her official duties as the head of the British Royal Family.
She was known to have given gifts of jewellery to other members of the royal family, such as her husband, Prince Philip, as well as to other members of the royal family, including her daughters-in-law, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle.
The Queen also gave gifts of jewellery as a symbol of appreciation, friendship or as a diplomatic gesture to heads of state and other dignitaries. Such items would have included, among others, special tiaras, brooches, or necklaces.
The Queen never gave away pieces from the Crown jewels; these are part of the Royal collection and are passed down through the generations. Also, as a general practice, members of the royal family do not publicly discuss or disclose information about their personal jewellery collections. Thus, it is impossible to have a full list of all the gifts over the years.
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Is It Possible To See The Queen’s Jewellery?
It is possible to see some of the Queen's jewellery as a part of the Royal Collection. A large portion of it is on display at the Tower of London, where the Crown Jewels are kept and can be viewed by the public. The Crown Jewels are a collection of ceremonial objects, including crowns, sceptres, and other regalia, that have been used during the coronation of British monarchs. The Crown Jewels are on display at the Jewel House in the White Tower and can be viewed as part of a guided tour.
In addition, certain items of the queen's jewellery are on display at other locations in London and around the UK, such as the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace. The Queen's Gallery is open to the public, and the exhibits usually change, so it's worth checking the schedule before visiting. There is a display of royal jewellery at Windsor Castle. During 2022, it was possible to see items of the Royal Collection, including the Coronation Diamonds. The items held at Windsor Castle change over time.
While some pieces of the Queen's personal collection may sometimes be on, most of her jewellery is kept in the Royal Collection. However, the Queen's personal collection is not on regular public display and is kept on the Royal Family's private property for security and preservation reasons.
What Has Happened To Queen Elizabeth’s Jewellery Following Her Death?
Her large jewellery collection, including the Crown Jewels, tiaras, brooches, diadems, and more, will continue to be maintained in a trust rather than in the monarch's personal collection.
However, the Queen’s private jewellery collection will be handed down via the Windsor family. While we do not know for sure, it is likely that her engagement ring, which is made of platinum set with a large diamond with a halo of smaller diamonds, will be passed to her daughter, Princess Anne, because it is traditional to either give it to an unmarried son (and all of hers are or have been married) or to a daughter.
"The Queen left a very strong understanding that jewellery is important – and it can be used and it should be used sensitively,"
Joanna Hardy, jewellery historian and curator at vintage jewellery destination Omneque.
Both the trust jewels and the private collection will be available to King Charles, and it is said that the Queen may have bestowed some of her diamonds upon Kate, Princess of Wales.
There is an informal hierarchy for the distribution of personal jewellery in the royal family, meaning that the Queen Consort, King Charles’ wife, will get first choice, followed by the Princess of Wales (Prince William’s wife). The Duchess of Sussex will probably inherit some of the jewellery, but she is somewhat lower on the list of seniority and favour.
The Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara initially lent to Princess Diana for life and then returned to the Queen after her death, is now worn by Catherine, Princess of Wales.
Queen Elizabeth was probably buried with only two jewellery items: her wedding ring, made from Welsh gold and a pair of pearl earrings, given that she almost always wore a pair of pearl earrings.
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A Long Story, Valuable Jewels And An Ongoing History
In conclusion, Queen Elizabeth II's jewellery collection is a fascinating glimpse into the history of the British monarchy and the art of jewellery making. From her personal collection, inherited from previous monarchs and gifts from foreign leaders, to the Crown Jewels, used in the coronation of each new British monarch, the Queen's jewellery collection is a treasure trove of beautiful and historic pieces.
Each piece of jewellery tells a unique story, whether it's the sapphire and diamond brooch that was a gift from her father on her 18th birthday or the St. Edward's Crown used during her coronation. The Queen's jewellery collection is not just a symbol of her personal taste and style but also a reflection of the history and culture of the British monarchy and the country itself.
The Queen reigned for many years, and her jewellery collection has been a part of it, and it will continue to be a legacy for future generations to admire.
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References Used To Research This Article
Town and Country Magazine: https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a10302981/cambridge-love-knot-tiara/
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewels_of_Elizabeth_II
Harpers Bazaar: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/fashion/jewellery-watches/a41224909/queen-elizabeth-ii-jewellery/
Express Online: https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/style/1686254/Queen-Elizabeth-engagement-ring-message-jewellery-collection
NaturalDiamonds.com: https://www.naturaldiamonds.com/epic-diamonds/queen-elizabeth-iis-favorite-diamond-jewels/
