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British Royals

The Princess of Wales chooses historic brooch for US State Visit and it links her to famous queens

By
17th September 2025
The Prince of Wales shakes hands with Donald Trump while the Princess of Wales smiles at the US President

The Princess of Wales chose an historic brooch for the start of the US State Visit and it has a fascinating tale behind it.

The small brooch, featuring diamonds and emeralds, is shaped in the three feathers of the Prince of Wales. And while it’s pretty and matches just about any royal outfit, it also brings plenty of history with it.

It was given in 1863 to Alexandra of Denmark when she married Albert Edward, the eldest son of Queen Victoria and then Prince of Wales.

The Prince and Princess of Wales walk out of Victoria House on the Windsor estate to meet Donald and Melania Trump
Royal Family Instagram still/ fair use

It came from the ‘Ladies of North Wales’ and that’s the name sometimes given to the brooch, remembering its provenance.

In the 19th century, it became usual for the wealthier women in some parts of the country to raise a collection to buy jewels for royal women on significant occasions. And so the ‘ladies of North Wales’ banded together to present a gem to the soon to be new Princess of Wales and the result is the sparkling gem worn by Kate today.

They had some rather superior help in producing a gem fit for a queen in waiting as this brooch was designed by Garrard and Co.

The Prince and Princess of Wales chat as they walk across the grass at Windsor before meeting Donald and Melania Trump
Royal Family Instagram still/ fair use

It features the feathers of the Prince of Wales badge behind a coronet and also bears the motto ‘Ich Dien’ on a scroll.

It was worn often by Alexandra during her almost 42 years as Princess of Wales and then passed into the collection of her daughter-in-law, Mary. As the new Princess of Wales, she wore it until her own husband became King George V in 1910. And since then, it’s been passed to every Princess of Wales to wear.

That means it is used by the wife of the Prince of Wales as the traditional title for the heir to the throne can’t be given to a woman in her own right.

Kate, The Princess of Wales talks to Melania Trump at Victoria House at the start of the US State Visit to the UK
BBC still/ fair use

Diana, Princess of Wales was fond of wearing this gem which features 18 brilliant cut diamonds and emeralds around the motif and can also be worn with an emerald pendant attached to the bottom.

Queen Camilla only wore it once publicly following her marriage to the then Prince of Wales in 2005.

The current Princess of Wales has worn it several times and its choice for the US State Visit was significant.

It is a representation of the badge of the Prince of Wales which features three ostrich feathers and the motto, Ich Dien, which translates as ‘I serve’.

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About author

Lydia Starbuck is Editor in Chief at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra.Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024.June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station.June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.