The Queen has chosen a highly symbolic brooch to wear for her Christmas Day broadcast and she’s underlined its importance by placing a poignant photo next to her as she delivers her address.
Her Majesty decided on a sapphire and diamond brooch that she has worn at some of the most famous moments of her long and happy marriage to Prince Philip.
The gem, which features a large sapphire surrounded by smaller diamonds in the design of a chrysanthemum, was chosen by the then Princess Elizabeth for the photocall that she and her new husband took part in as they honeymooned at Broadlands in Hampshire in 1947. Sixty years later, The Queen wore the brooch again as she and Prince Philip walked in the same grounds for portraits to mark their Diamond wedding anniversary.
An image from those celebrations for the 60th anniversary of their marriage sits next to The Queen as she delivers what is described as a very personal Christmas message, paying tribute to her late husband who died in April 2021.
The brooch has also been worn at other special moments in The Queen’s life including for one of the first photos of her growing family following the birth of Princess Anne in 1950.
The brooch was given to her in 1946 when she launched an oil tanker called ”British Princess”.
The Queen has also chosen a red dress for her Christmas 2021 broadcast. As well as being suitably festive, the choice combined with the sapphire and diamond brooch sees her in red, white and blue for this highly anticipated speech.
Royal Central will have full coverage of The Queen’s Christmas Message.
