Queen Camilla Has a Tiara First in One of Queen Elizabeth’s Favorite Diadems — Plus, a Sentimental Necklace

Queen Camilla has paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth with some of her most recognizable jewels.

King Charles and Queen Camilla visited Mansion House on Thursday to take part in a long-standing tradition of marking the new monarch’s first visit to the City of London (the historic square mile that joins the city’s 32 boroughs to make up Greater London) in the year of their coronation.

While Queen Camilla has worn numerous tiaras before, the outing was a first for the royal family as she debuted the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara. The headpiece is closely associated with Queen Elizabeth, who wore the accessory many times during her 70 years on the throne, including her depictions on some British and Commonwealth banknotes and coins.

According to the Royal Collection Trust, the tiara was a wedding gift from a “Girl of Great Britain and Ireland” to the Duchess of York, later Queen Mary, in 1893. The court jeweler adds that Lady Eva Greville campaigned to raise money for the piece, which was bought from Garrard. The fundraiser was so successful that the extra money went to the wives and children of sailors who died in the collision of the battleship HMS Victoria.

Queen Camilla attends a dinner at the Mansion House on October 18, 2023 wearing the Queen Elizabeth tiara.

Samir Hussein/WireImage

Queen Camilla’s Greatest Tiara Moments — Check Out Her Favorite Sprinkle!

Queen Elizabeth inherited the tiara from her grandmother, who made it as a wedding gift for the future monarch when she married Prince Philip in 1947. Queen Elizabeth even affectionately called this accessory “Grandmother’s Tiara”, remembering who gave her the inheritance.

Although the tiara was originally covered in pearls, Queen Mary had the piece altered to feature diamonds instead. The Court Jeweler reports that the pearls were used in her Lover’s Knot tiara, which is a favorite of Kate Middleton). The piece features festoons and fleur-de-lis patterns, and can also be worn as a necklace.

Queen Elizabeth wears the tiara of the Girl of Great Britain and Ireland in 1992.

Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty

Queen Camilla also wore other special accessories for dinner on Thursday. Another first for the new queen, she wore her mother-in-law’s sparkling necklace and bracelet, which the late monarch received as a 21st birthday present. The then Princess Elizabeth marked a turning point in South Africa, and in a speech delivered from Cape Town, she dedicated her life to the service of the Commonwealth.

During the gala ceremony in the Government building on the occasion of her birthday, the future queen was presented with a diamond and platinum necklace with 21 diamonds (with a matching bracelet!) by the Prime Minister of the South African Union, Field Marshal Jan Smuts. Court goldsmith.

During the presentation, Smuts said: “This small gift will remind her of this wonderful visit to South Africa and this turning point in her life. It will be a symbol of the connection she established with our country and its people. It will remind her of the deep and sincere feelings of sympathy and goodwill which this historic visit has awakened in the hearts of all my people.”

Queen Elizabeth wears the necklace for her 21st birthday in 1953.

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For her dress, Queen Camilla recycled a long-sleeved black dress with silver embroidery by Bruce Oldfield, the designer who was also behind her coronation dress. Camilla wore the ensemble (with a second tiara!) to a diplomatic dinner in Berlin earlier this year.

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King Charles and Queen Camilla attended a glamorous dinner at the Mansion House to recognize the work of the City of London’s civic institutions and the Livery Companies, the city’s ancient and modern trade guilds.

King Charles and Queen Camilla at the coronation dinner on October 18, 2023.

Samir Hussein/WireImage

One tradition they continued was the pearl sword ceremony. Representing the authority of the Lord Mayor in the City of London, the king was presented with a sword, named after the 2,600 pearls on its scabbard. King Charles then returned the Sword of Pearls, confirming the Mayor’s powers when the monarch is not present. King Charles’ mother performed the ceremony in 1953 after her coronation and again in 1977 and 2022 to mark important jubilees, milestone celebrations in her reign.

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Source: HIS Education