Queen Elizabeth II's Brooches

[Elspeth]

Gill, are you sure it's really on the right and not just a matter of the photo being printed back to front?

[scooter]

I guess if she is personally fastening the brooch and is right handed, that would account for it. But there is not an etiquette reason why she always wears them on the left?

[GillW]

Originally Posted by Elspeth

Gill, are you sure it's really on the right and not just a matter of the photo being printed back to front?

Trust me - I have a database I've compiled of over 1000 events that HM has attended, and for each one I search out & study every picture that I can. Although sometimes a picture IS printed back to front, it becomes easy to distinguish that from one where the picture is correct but the brooch is on the other side. I can't track an instance easily (since it's not something I've kept a note of - maybe I should add that into my data!!) but if I find one I'll post a link.

I began by trying to see which ones she wore most frequently and to try & discover as many as I could....(and now I'm hoplessly hooked... )

[RubyPrincess168]

The brooch always worn on HM's left shoulder.....like a coursage? What are the rules about corsages? I've seen photos where the Queen Mother wears a brooch on her left shoulder or collar and it's holding flowers or something in place.

[GillW]

Originally Posted by GillW

Trust me - I have a database I've compiled of over 1000 events that HM has attended, and for each one I search out & study every picture that I can. Although sometimes a picture IS printed back to front, it becomes easy to distinguish that from one where the picture is correct but the brooch is on the other side. I can't track an instance easily (since it's not something I've kept a note of - maybe I should add that into my data!!) but if I find one I'll post a link.

I began by trying to see which ones she wore most frequently and to try & discover as many as I could....(and now I'm hoplessly hooked... )

I've managed to find an example of HM with the brooch on her right shoulder - you can tell it's the correct way round (ALL photos of the events show it this way for a start) because her coat is fastened correctly....
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...0000276685.jpg

[Elspeth]

I assume it's the cut of that jacket which is making her wear the brooch on the right. It really wouldn't look good on the left side with that exaggerated overlap.

Thanks for finding the photo! Hope it didn't take too long.

[GillW]

Not more than about 3 hours pouring over lovely photos
What a chore.....

[GillW]

I'm wondering if anyone out there with connections to Australia can help me to clear up a mystery please? When The Queen visited the Australian War Memorial and rededicated the Hall there (wearing a delicate pink suit and matching hat, with a fine feathery fringe at the back) she had on a beautiful brooch I have never seen her wear anywhere else. It appeared to be a spray of gold "twigs" with beautiful opal leaves or flowers.

I wrote to the Memorial and they were wonderful in providing me with a colour photo, but I promised not to share or publish it so I can't show you - sorry! I believe there is a not very nice one which I'll try to find and link to if I can; now found -

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...nsigningaw.jpg

I just have a feeling that this may be a gift either from Australia as a whole, or maybe one of the opal-producing areas - anyone able to help please?

[Elspeth]

Wow - I haven't seen that one before, but it looks impressive. Warren, being Australian, might have some more information.

[GillW]

I stumbled across something interesting yesterday. HM wore what appeared to be a "new" brooch in the USA earleir this year - a large bouquet of various coloured stones, which no-one seemed to recognise.
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...lliamsburg.jpg

Well I think I've found an earlier wearing - a couple of years ago in Canada. (23 May 2005)

Compare these two shots from similar angles & distance:
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...da2005-fro.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...inUSA2007B.jpg

So now we know it was not so new after all...

[GillW]

AND JUST SPOTTED- TODAY -
HM is wearing her Arab Dhow brooch - rarely seen - probably a joke at the weather! She made need a boat to get home!!

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...oto6734910.jpg

[Polly]

Originally Posted by LOSSEAN

Thank you so much Warren for the very informative answer.
Please, please Your Majesty...Don't keep hiding these wonderful pieces.
We want more sightings! Please lend them more often to HRH the Princess Royal or HRH the Duchess of Cornwall or HRH the Countess of Wessex for our benefit! If you are not interested in wearing them, that is.

I imagine that, once the Duchess is Queen (or princess consort or whatever other silly title they confer on her) we may see more of the gorgeous jewels. Presumably, many will pass to Charles, as King.

One beautiful brooch which isn't often seen is the yellow-diamond spray of wattle which was presented to Her Majesty by Australia when she visited us as a young and beautiful Queen. My grandparents have a stunning photograph of The Queen, sent from the Palace, wearing the Australian diamonds and they, and she, look quite spectacular.

My own view is that, beaming so beautifully, The Queen supersedes the glow and glamour of the jewels. It's a glorious photo.

[Madame Royale]

...which isn't often seen is the yellow-diamond spray of wattle which was presented to Her Majesty by Australia

Oh, that is said to be a favourite of HM The Queen and I've seen her wear it on quite a few occasions

It is a gorgeous brooch!

[Polly]

I wish that I could send you a copy of the photo, MR, you'd love it! The jewel is glistening in the sun, as is HM. When next I go interstate, I'll get a copy of it.

The grandparents received it on their 60th wedding anniversary: presumably, the GG or the PM told the Palace. And what a surprise it was!

I imagine that our devoted Queen has equally appropriate photos for the Canadians and New Zealanders, et al, as well.

There is one special thing about this photo: I've seen the Queen in person on quite a few occasions, and, like everyone else, seen hundreds of photos of her. I've always been amazed at how very pretty she is in 'the flesh', which never seems to be conveyed in newspapers or magazines. Well, in this unique photograph, she looks quite as beautiful as she truly is! Obviously, HM took a lot of trouble to select something special for us.

[Warren]

a better pic...

The Australian Wattle Broocho

[Polly]

I'm sorry that it's taken me so long to reply, but thank you so much, Warren, for such a beautiful photograph.

Apart from the fact that I'm Australian, I do believe that it's one of HM's most glorious brooches.

My father spent some years on official duties in the UK, and he always insisted that HM genuinely loved and admired this jewel.

[GillW]

According to my database the Wattle brooch currently ranks 11th favourite in order of the number of times I can trace it being worn in recent years (the last 17 years - and counting!)

[Polly]

Thank you for that, GillW. How interesting.

It's gratifying to know that HM wears it so relatively often, given the vast array of lovely jewels which she owns. And, of course, the yellows and the warmer colours are sometimes difficult to wear at all.

I love the simple honesty and integrity of that brooch. So much goodwill and love went into its design and presentation.

[Warren]

Here's a clear and close-up pic of one of HM's more sizeable brooches, worn on Remembrance Day 2007.
Courtesy of Lys, from RJOTWMB

Ladies of Surrey diamond & pearl brooch

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