Ahead of their coronation on May 6, King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla made a state visit to Germany, marking the first overseas trip of their new reign. For the occasion, Camilla was seen wearing a deep navy Anna Valentine coast dress. But, it was her choice of accessory that grabbed many eyeballs, for it holds a special significance in the country she visited.
Affixed to the ensemble was a large sapphire and diamond brooch which was gifted by German-born Prince Albert to his bride-to-be Queen Victoria on their wedding day in 1840. According to Royal Collection Trust, she wore this brooch on her wedding and it remained a favourite piece of jewellery.
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Camilla visits the Rudolf Ross Elementary School in Hamburg’s Neustadt district. (Jens Buttner/Pool via REUTERS)
As per The Court Jewellery, Queen Victoria designated this brooch as an ‘Heirloom of the Crown’, ensuring that it would be worn by future queen regnant and consort. The brooch, also known as Prince Albert’s brooch, has since been worn by all four women who subsequently held those positions.
Britain’s king’s wife, Camilla visits the Rudolf Ross Elementary School in Hamburg’s Neustadt district (Jens Buttner/Pool via REUTERS)
In her diary, she noted that Alberthad given her “a splendid brooch, a large sapphire set round with diamonds, which is really quite beautiful.” The Royal Collection Trust added that the diamonds are “mounted in open-backed collets” in this brooch. It also noted that the maker of the brooch is not known; it could have been made either in England or in Albert’s native Germany.
Before Camilla, Queen Elizabeth had also worn the brooch on her trip to Germany in 2015. It was also worn by Queen Alexandra at her coronation in 1902. “It’s a piece that really transcends time: the ultra-classic, simple design (and the enormous sapphire) looks just as good today as it must have more than a century ago,” The Court Jeweller stated further.
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Apart from Prince Albert’s brooch, Camilla accessorised her look with a fur-trimmed hat, heeled black boots, and pearl drop earrings.
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Camilla waves during her visit to Rudolf Ross elementary school (Source: Reuters) 
Camilla visits the Rudolf Ross Elementary School in Hamburg’s Neustadt district. (Jens Buttner/Pool via REUTERS)
Britain’s king’s wife, Camilla visits the Rudolf Ross Elementary School in Hamburg’s Neustadt district (Jens Buttner/Pool via REUTERS)
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