The late Queen Elizabeth II showcased an extraordinary treasure trove of jewels over her 70-year reign. Her collection has been growing for over 400 years, with each piece passed down over multiple generations through various branches of the British Royal Family.
Here, we examine some of her most prized baubles and the royals who inherited them, from Queen Camilla to Princess Kate and Meghan Markle.
Does Kate Middleton wear the Queen’s jewellery?
Princess Kate, who is known for wearing the late Princess Diana’s sapphire engagement ring, has borrowed many pieces of jewellery from the late Queen, including a maple leaf-shaped diamond brooch worn on her first Commonwealth trip in 2011.
Want more? Read The Princess of Wales’ best jewellery moments
After the Queen’s passing in September 2022, British female royals have honoured the late Queen by donning jewels inherited from her personal collection. While many of Queen Elizabeth’s most prized possessions have been handed down to King Charles III and the Queen Consort, other members of the royal family have been photographed wearing historic pieces from her collection.
For the Queen’s state funeral, the Princess of Wales wore a four-strand pearl choker with a diamond clasp alongside a set of Bahrain pearl drop earrings, both part of the late monarch’s personal haul. The necklace, which features four strings of ‘the finest cultured pearls’ with a central diamond clasp by court jeweller Garrard, was gifted to Queen Elizabeth during her first state visit to Japan in 1975, and was recently worn by Kate to King Charles III’s Scottish coronation.
When visiting the Commonwealth troops ahead of the Queen’s state funeral, Kate was spotted wearing Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubiliee diamond and pearl earrings, which marked the Queen’s 25 years on the throne in 1977. Kate had previously worn the earrings after the birth of Prince Louis in 2018.
Earlier this year, Kate was seen wearing another inherited piece – Queen Elizabeth II’s Festoon necklace. The necklace, which was commissioned by King George VI, includes 105 loose diamonds, and was worn multiple times by the late monarch throughout her life. Kate wore the piece for King Charles III’s official Coronation portrait, paying homage to the late Queen who often wore the necklace for official photographs.
Does Queen Camilla have any of Queen Elizabeth’s jewellery?
Queen Camilla has also borrowed jewellery from the late Queen’s collection numerous times, including a Hesse Diamond Jubilee brooch, which was gifted to Queen Victoria in 1897, and which the Queen Consort began to wear shortly after her wedding to King Charles in 2005.
Speaking of King Charles, during his coronation, Camilla wore Queen Victoria’s Coronation necklace, one of the most expensive necklaces in the world, and a set of diamond pendant earrings, known subsequently as the Coronation earrings. The necklace features the 22.48-carat Lahore Diamond, a controversial diamond acquired from the Kings of the Punjab in 1849 when the Punjab was absorbed into the Indian Raj, and the diamond presented to Queen Victoria in 1851.
Earlier this year, the Queen Consort sported a sparkling shell-shaped brooch for the first day of this year’s Royal Ascot. The Courtauld Thomson Scallop-Shell brooch has previously been worn by Queen Elizabeth II and the late Queen’s Mother and features pavé-set diamonds, with a single pearl at the centre.
Does Princess Anne wear Queen Elizabeth’s pearl necklace?
Princess Anne inherited her mother’s favourite piece of jewellery – her iconic three-strand pearl necklace. The necklace holds special significance to the princess and the late monarch as it was a gift to Her Majesty from her father King George VI. King George VI passed when Princess Anne was just one-and-a-half years old, so the family jewel serves as a way for the princess to connect with both her late mother and grandfather.
Will Princess Charlotte inherit any of the Queen’s jewels?
Princess Charlotte, the 8-year-old daughter of the Prince and Princess of Wales, wore her first royal brooch for Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral – a sentimental horseshoe-shaped talisman gifted to the young princess by the late Queen herself.
What happened to the Queen’s tiaras?
When it comes to the late Queen’s vast private collection of tiaras (thought to be as many as 50), they have most likely been passed down to younger women in the family. However, as the Queen’s will was private, we do not know for certain which members inherited what pieces. However, the Princess of Wales stands to inherit a generous selection of gems once she becomes Queen Consort as Prince William ascends the throne.
Like this? Read about Queen Camilla’s best jewellery moments
