Princess Anne’s had quite the stylish summer with a number of looks that have caught everyone’s eye. For one of her latest appearances she went classic and elegant and added jewels that have a royal history that’s hard to beat.
The Princess Royal and her husband, Sir Tim Laurence, did the honours at one of the biggest events in the Army’s’ calendar. The Household Division Military Musical Spectacular takes place every summer in London and the Princess has long been a staunch supporter.
Princess Anne chooses retro fashion and history jewels
She enjoyed this year’s show in balmy summer weather and while her navy blue wraparound dress won plenty of fashion plaudits, her jewellery pick packed a really sparkling story.
The royal gems included a huge sapphire and diamond brooch that looks rather like one favoured by Anne’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and now worn by Queen Camilla. And that’s because it is meant to resemble it. For the brooch in question was a replica made as a direct copy of one of the Royal Family’s most romantic gifts.
(Sgt Donald C Todd/ © MoD Crown Copyright 2025)
In February 1840, when Prince Albert married his cousin, Queen Victoria, he presented his bride with a sapphire brooch. The huge blue stone was surrounded by sparkling diamonds.
Victoria loved it – not surprising as it combined two of her favourite things, Prince Albert and dazzling jewels. She pinned it to her wedding outfit and wore it often until Albert’s unexpected death in 1861 when she was plunged into mourning.
At some point, however, at least one replica of the brooch was made. Some reports are that Albert actually had a series of copies made so that each of his daughters with Victoria could match mama. The other story attached to the gem is that the second version was actually commissioned by Victoria herself.
A jewel for queens only
The second longest reigning monarch in British history was very fond of the brooch and designated it as part of the special collection of gems that can only be worn by queens. The replica meant that other royals could also benefit from Victoria’s much loved jewel and this brooch now belongs to Anne.
(Foto di Paolo Giandotti – Ufficio Stampa per la Stampa e la Comunicazione della Presidenza della Repubblica)
The word replica is perhaps deceptive. This isn’t a copy and paste job, it’s still made of sapphires and diamonds. It’s just another version of the original which belongs to majesties only.
Princess Anne’s decision to wear it is a special link to her great, great, great grandmother as well as to her own mother as Queen Elizabeth II was partial to the sapphire and diamond original which began life as such a romantic gift.
