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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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