Celebrity

Queen Camilla steps out wearing the historic Minoru brooch

The sentimental jewel spells out 'Minoru' in diamonds, rubies and sapphires in a glistening homage to one of King Edward VII’s most successful racehorses

By Joshua Hendren

Camilla, Queen Consort, stepped out alongside King Charles to attend the New Year’s Day service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate, wearing a striking brooch that nods to one of her own ancestors.

Pinned to her exquisitely tailored Max Mara coat, the horseshoe-shaped brooch is set with diamonds, rubies and sapphires that spell out the name Minoru – one of King Edward VII’s most illustrious racehorses.

Camilla, Queen Consort, wears the Minoru brooch
Camilla, Queen Consort attends the New Year’s Day service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene wearing the Minoru brooch (Photo by Max Mumby/Getty Images)

Most famously, Minoru was the horse that made King Edward VII the first reigning British monarch to win the Epsom Derby in 1909. A highly successful Irish-bred racehorse, the stallion also garnered two wins at British Classic Races.

Camilla, Queen Consort, wears the Minoru brooch
The diamond, sapphire and ruby brooch spells the name of King Edward VII’s 1909 Derby winning horse ‘Minoru’ (Photo by Max Mumby/Getty Images)

And while it is unknown how the brooch fell into Her Majesty’s possession, press clippings from the time period of Minoru’s victories in the early 1900s state that King Edward VII commissioned several bejewelled scarf pins, making the Queen Consort’s choice of baubles incredibly sentimental.

Camilla, Queen Consort, wears the Minoru brooch
Camilla, Queen Consort attends Ascot’s November Racing Weekend wearing the Minoru brooch (Photo by Max Mumby/Getty Images)

It’s worth noting, however, that this isn’t the first time Camilla has been spotted wearing the historic piece. The Queen Consort previously donned the Minoru brooch at Royal Ascot back in November, fastened to the shoulder of her statement tartan coat.

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