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Queen Elizabeth’s top 5 most expensive brooches

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In all of Queen Elizabeth’s public outings, she is always seen looking stylish, powerful and glamorous in the best designer items. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She also often pairs one of her impressive brooches with her outfits, adding to the glitz and glam that comes with being the reigning monarch. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">All of her brooches have a special meaning behind them, and are valued at extraordinary prices. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The fine jewellery experts at </span><a href="https://www.stevenstone.co.uk/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Steven Stone</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> have taken a closer look at Queen Elizabeth’s brooch collection, and determined the likely value of each stunning piece. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We have put together the list of the top five most expensive accessories – from least to most – at prices that will make your eyes water.</span></p> <p><strong>Cullinan V brooch</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845214/queen-cullinan-v-brooch.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/d0970c3091ea4ee89f34adb65c081935" /></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cut from the Cullinan diamond, the heart-shaped brooch was made in 1911 and first belonged to Queen Mary. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Queen Mary wore the diamond for her 1937 coronation, and passed it on to her granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II, when she died in 1937. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In its 111-year history, the brooch has only ever been worn by the two women. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is estimated to be valued at $4 million.</span></p> <p><strong>Queen Victoria's Fringe brooch</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845215/queen-queen-victorias-fringe-brooch.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/dca934ce30bc460bbf633c4f92b27650" /></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This extravagant brooch began as a much more garish piece, but was cut down in the late 1800s when it was simply too large to wear. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Queen Mother wore the show-stopping piece for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953, and kept it until her own death in 2002. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It has a current estimated value of $4 million.</span></p> <p><strong>The Prince Albert brooch</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845216/queen-the-prince-albert-brooch.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/b6bcf844e33548f1ab3a85d69286478a" /></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This sapphire brooch is also known as Queen Victoria’s wedding brooch, as Prince Albert offered it as a gift to his bride-to-be on the eve of their wedding day in 1840.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The large sapphire is set with round diamonds, and was worn by Queen Victoria on her wedding gown the day after she received it. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Queens Mary, Elizabeth and the current Elizabeth II have worn the brooch often, usually for daytime occasions. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is said to be worth $15 million. </span></p> <p><strong>Williamson diamond brooch</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845217/queen-williamson-diamond-brooch.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/5a2e8ab2ad0544e6919737cd403b2824" /></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This flower-shaped diamond brooch features one of the rarest flawless pink diamonds in the world. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The diamond was discovered in the Williamson mine in Tanzania in 1947, and mine owner John Thoburn presented the uncut diamond to Queen Elizabeth that year as a wedding gift. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Queen often wears this brooch for state visits and diplomatic occasions. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is rumoured to be worth approximately $47 million.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And last but CERTAINLY not least . . .</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Cullinan III and IV brooch</strong><br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845213/queen-cullinan-iii-and-iv-brooch.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/c29350dab22349a18fe2d654aac5e837" /></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This brooch was originally crafted for Queen Mary in 1911, and was inherited by Queen Elizabrth in 1953. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It features one cushion shaped diamond stone, and another pear-shaped diamond stone drop, that collectively consist of over 150 carats of diamonds. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is made of the third and fourth largest stones cut from the famous Cullinan diamond that was presented to King Edward VII in 1907. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Today the brooch is estimated to be worth $94 million. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">All image credits: Getty Images</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p>

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Queen Elizabeth’s subtle tribute to Prince Philip over live video stream

<p><span>The Queen has long been a fan of making subtle but succinct statements with her jewelry, and as her husband remains in hospital, she has paid tribute to him in the best way she knows how.</span><br /><br /><span>While on a live video call, the 94-year-old monarch donned a sentimental brooch which she first wore in her official 1947 engagement photos.</span><br /><br /><span>The stunning Diamond Clematis Brooch has been featured several times throughout the years and has six distinctive diamond petals.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840056/queen-elizabeth-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/35cc5caddc9f47b49e7626d7624f5c2c" /></p> <p><em>Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, 1947. </em><br /><br /><span>It comes as Philip recovers in a London hospital after he admitted himself over two weeks ago with complaints of an infection.</span><br /><br /><span>The Queen and Philip received their COVID vaccines in early January, and the monarch is urging Britons to get the jab, claiming it “didn’t hurt at all”.</span><br /><br /><span>She was joined by people overseeing the vaccine rollout, including Dr Emily Lawson, chief commercial officer of NHS England and Derek Grieve from the Scottish Government’s vaccinations division.</span><br /><br /><span>“Once you’ve had the vaccine you have a feeling of, you know, you’re protected, which is I think very important,” the Queen said.</span><br /><br /><span>“And the other thing is that it is obviously difficult for people if they’ve never had a vaccine or they’ve had to um, but they ought to think about other people rather than themselves.”</span><br /><br /><span>The Queen and her husband have been staying at Windsor Castle while seeing through England’s current coronavirus lockdown.</span></p>

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How the Queen conveys messages through her eclectic outfits

<p>The Royal Family often use their wardrobes and fashion choices to reflect a statement, or even share messages without having to say anything. </p> <p>It is a move flagrantly used by the Duchess of Cambridge and Sussex, who usually go out of their way to wear local designers and emblems when they are on royal tours overseas. </p> <p>However it is not just the younger royals who use their wardrobes to convey a message as the Queen has used her brooches, hats and other accessories to make a statement for decades. </p> <p>On Wednesday, Her Majesty wore a striking purple coat and dress with a matching hat while visiting the Royal British Legion Industries Village in Kent. </p> <p>It is one of a series of events the Royal Family will be attending in commemoration of Remembrance Day. </p> <p>Along with the stylish outfit, the royal wore a shining amethyst brooch that once belonged to Queen Victoria’s mother. </p> <p><em>HELLO! </em>magazine noted the brooch can be interpreted as a gesture of comfort for the veterans, and the gem in general is viewed as a stone for alleviating sadness and grief during a period of mourning. </p> <p>It is also a stone perceived to be one of peace, with a calming presence, and even protection against harm. </p> <p>However, it could just be possible the Queen enjoyed the colour of the brooch as she is one for colour coordinating. </p> <p>The most senior royal has worn the brooch previously for military-related occasions, including a visit to the Poppy Factory and a Walking with the Wounded reception.</p> <p>Royal sleuths love to consider the statements the Queen is making by what accessories she wears, and the speculation rammed up when the US President visited the UK. </p> <p>It did not go unnoticed that the day Donald Trump landed in the UK, the monarch sported a brooch that had been given to her by former president Barack Obama.</p> <p>It is nicknamed the American State Visit Brooch, and was hand selected by the Obamas to give to Queen Elizabeth during their State Visit to the UK in 2011. </p> <p>While the royal did opt for a different accessory when she officially met with Trump, royal watchers were convinced that Obama’s gift was a deliberate choice. </p> <p>On the second day of the president's visit, she wore a Sapphire Jubilee Brooch -  a gift from Canada. </p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see the Queen’s brooches that royal watchers say are a “message.”</p>

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Queen Elizabeth’s new portrait has a hidden meaning

<p>On Friday, a new portrait was released of the Queen to mark Canada’s 150<sup>th</sup> “birthday” on July 1.</p> <p>The portrait was taken by Toronto-based photographer Ian Leslie Macdonald and in the image, the Queen wears the platinum and diamond maple leaf brooch she inherited from her mother Queen Elizabeth.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="452" height="348" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/38904/queen-portrait_452x348.jpg" alt="Queen Portrait (1)"/></p> <p>The significant brooch entered the royal family when Elizabeth’s father, King George VI, gave it to his wife in 1939 for their visit to Canada. </p> <p>Since inheriting the jewellery upon the death of her mother in 2002, the Queen has loaned it to Camilla, for her first visit to Canada in 2009, and Princess Kate in her 2011 Canada royal tour.</p> <p>The Queen has followed tradition in lending it to family members as her own mother loaned the brooch to her to wear on her inaugural visit to Canada in 1951. </p> <p>Prince Charles and Camilla are currently in Canada as the annual celebrations take place. </p>

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