Queen Camilla paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II on October 18 at a dinner and reception at Mansion House in honour of their Coronation.
The Queen looked stunning in a black and white printed floral gown, however it was her jewels that stole the show – and for more reason than one.
While the tiara, necklace and bracelet that Camilla wore were objectively gorgeous and lavish, it was their sentimental value that made them truly beautiful.
All three pieces belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II. This was the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara.
The Royal Collection Trust explained the historical royal significance of the exquisite piece: “This tiara was a wedding present from the ‘Girls of Great Britain and Ireland’ to the Duchess of York, later Queen Mary, in 1893.
“It was purchased with money raised by a committee chaired by Lady Eva Greville, who became one of Queen Mary’s ladies-in-waiting.
“In November 1947 Queen Mary gave the tiara as a wedding present to her grand-daughter, Princess Elizabeth.
“The Queen has worn the tiara regularly throughout her reign and is depicted wearing it on certain issues of British and Commonwealth banknotes and coinage.”
Elizabeth reportedly called the diadem Granny’s Tiara, according to The Court Jeweller.
Queen Elizabeth II loved the tiara and it’s easy to understand why. The Court Jeweller described it as “elegant, balanced, and packed with sparkling diamonds”.
She wore it throughout her reign, spotted wearing it as late as December 2018 for a Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace.
However, it may be more associated with the start of her reign. Elizabeth II posed for a photograph in the 1950s wearing the beautiful tiara.
Portraits of her wearing the tiara in the early months of her rule were used worldwide on stamps, coins and bank notes.
Camilla’s debut in the tiara was a touching tribute to the late Queen’s enormous legacy – and fantastic taste in jewels.