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Prince William and Kate Middleton recently visited the Aberfan memorial garden in Aberfan to pay their respects to those who lost their lives during the Aberfan disaster in 1996. At the solemn occasion, the Prince and Princess of Wales spoke to the survivors and greeted onlookers. In keeping with the emotional nature of the visit, the duo ensured that their outfits gave a nod to the country.
As such, Kate was seen wearing a belted black and white shirt dress from Zara featuring long sleeves, checked print, and a pussybow necktie. She layered this dress with a black longline coat by Catherine Walker. A pair of black suede boots by Gianvito Rossi and a small Mulberry clutch bag completed her look. However, it was the silver leek brooch affixed to the left which stood out, as a leek is widely recognised as the national emblem of Wales.
Known as the Welsh Guards brooch, the same style has been previously worn by Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, and Queen Consort Camilla. In fact, Kate had also worn this brooch earlier, at a St David’s Day military parade at the Combermere Barracks, Windsor.
In 1960, the Welsh Guards Leek Brooch was created specifically for Queen Elizabeth II. It was a gift from the regiment, with funding provided by the guardsmen themselves. Since then, she wore it to almost every engagement involving the Welsh Guards. “This small diamond brooch is shaped like a leek, one of the national emblems of Wales. The brooch was presented to the Queen by the Welsh Guards at least a half-century ago,” noted the Court Jeweller.
In 1990, during a parade of the First Battalion of Welsh Guards in London, Princess Diana was seen wearing a leek brooch, while on her first visit to Wales after the Queen’s passing, the Queen Consort was spotted wearing a similar brooch. It remains unclear how many leek brooches are in existence exactly.
One of the most popular theories explaining the association between the leek and Wales is that soldiers from Wales wore leeks on their helmets in the Middle Ages to distinguish themselves from their enemies in battle. Another theory suggests that St David advised Welsh soldiers to wear leeks on their helmets during a battle against the Saxons in the 6th century.
Today, the leek remains an important part of Welsh cuisine and culture. The Welsh national rugby team also wears a leek emblem on their shirts during matches.
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