It's been a busy week for Queen Camilla, who, alongside her husband King Charles, welcomed the American president Donald Trump, and his wife Melania Trump, to Windsor for a state visit. It would have been understandable if Her Majesty hadn't been in the mood for such a formal occasion, as she was suffering from acute sinusitis earlier in the week, but the royal plunged herself into proceedings, even sending a message of her appreciation to the Trumps amid their visit.
As is tradition, the President and First Lady exchanged gifts with the King and Queen, and it was Queen Camilla's joy at the gift that signified an enjoyment of their time together. For Queen Camilla, the Americans chose a vintage Tiffany & Co. creation in the form of an 18k gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch.
Proof of her appreciation and respect for the Trumps, in a thoughtful gesture, Her Majesty wore the piece just hours later at the Beating Retreat military ceremony at Windsor Castle.
Estimated to be worth around £30,000 the floral-inspired design features intricate layered gold leaves radiating outward, with a central cluster of four rubies encircling a diamond at the centre of the piece. Textured gold finish adds sculptural depth and dimension, with Maxwell Stone of Steven Stone commenting: "Wearing the brooch so shortly after receiving it was a thoughtful gesture by Queen Camilla, signalling her gratitude and respect for the gift."
The brooch brigade
A brooch was a good choice of gift for Queen Camilla, with the heritage accessory soaring in popularity of late. Case in point, online searches for "brooch" reached 170k in the past month, while antique jeweller Berganza has seen a 125 per cent rise in brooch sales over the past year, a clear sign of the accessory's comeback.
© Samir Hussein/WireImageOn the brooch boom, Justin Daughters, Managing Director at Berganza, says: "We've seen brooches move far beyond formal wear. This autumn, they're being styled with oversized scarves, worn asymmetrically on blazers, or layered on textured knitwear. It's a beautiful collision of vintage charm and modern styling, and people are really connecting to that."
He continues: "The beauty of a brooch is its adaptability. Whether it's a 19th-century mourning piece or an Edwardian diamond star, it can be styled in so many modern ways. It’s jewellery with soul, and that’s what people are looking for."
© Getty ImagesOn the choice of a brooch as a gift, he notes: "There’s something deeply personal about a brooch. It can be symbolic, passed down, or simply a piece that speaks to your taste. That makes it ideal for autumn layering and transitional dressing."
Whatever the thinking behind the Trumps' gift to Camilla, she certainly seemed to appreciate it, and we'll be looking out for it on her lapel in the coming weeks.
