Queen Camilla made a poignant and symbolic gesture as she arrived for the State Visit to the US.
The Queen paid a special tribute to Elizabeth II as well as her hosts by wearing an unusual royal jewel that had been largely forgotten about.
Pinned to the Dior coat dress she wore for her arrival in Maryland was a Cartier brooch made in the shape of the Union Flag and the Stars and Stripes. And it carried a very special meaning beyond the joined national symbols.
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For the brooch had been presented to Queen Elizabeth II when she made her own first State Visit to the US in 1957.
It was given to the late Queen by the then Mayor of New York when she visited the city during her 1957 trip.
Robert F. Wagner presented the brooch, which is studded with diamonds, to Elizabeth II as a personal gift from him and his wife. It shows the two flags intertwined and was handed to the late Queen during a series of highly symbolic events including her own address to the UN in New York.
It has been rarely seen since. However, Queen Camilla’s decision to wear the brooch as all eyes fall on her and King Charles at the start of a hugely important State Visit was seen as highly significant.
The forceful symbol was still on show as The King and Queen arrived at the White House where they were met by Donald and Melania Trump.
By then, Queen Camilla had changed into a white Anna Valentine coat dress, featuring bespoke black decorations in a floral motif. However, the brooch remained firmly in place and was clearly visible during the much awaited photos of her with King Charles and the US President and First Lady.
The first day of the State Visit saw The King and Queen hosted for tea at the White House by Donald and Melania Trump and taking a tour of the White House gardens. During their afternoon, they saw the brand new bee hive recently brought in by Mrs Trump and shaped as the White House. They also sampled some of they honey produced there which is also given as presents.
Later, King Charles and Queen Camilla headed to the residence of the UK ambassador to the US where they attended a garden party. When the residence officially opened, one of the first events held there was a garden party for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, later The Queen Mother, on their State Visit to the US.
