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.
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.
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.
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’.
