Queen Elizabeth II Jewellery Choices Throughout the Years
The Queen's jewellery choices are always highly anticipated and scrutinized by the public. Here we look back at some of her most iconic pieces over the years. From the elegant sapphire necklace she wore to the 2005 Commonwealth Conference, to the glamorous Diamond Diadem Tiara she donned for her coronation in 1953, these pieces have come to represent monarchical tradition and power. Whether decked out in diamonds or coloured gems, The Queen always looks breathtakingly regal. So, sit back and enjoy this royal stroll down memory lane!
King George and the Ascension
One of the most iconic figures of the past century, Queen Elizabeth II is well-known for her elegance and regal bearing. Born in 1926, she was thrust into the public eye at a young age when her father, King George VI, ascended to the throne after the abdication of her uncle, Edward VIII. Elizabeth became queen in 1952 at the age of 25, and she has since reigned for more than six decades, becoming the longest-serving monarch in British history.
Her Majesties fashionable style
Throughout her long reign, the Queen has been widely admired for her steadfast dedication to duty, as well as her fashionable sense of style. Indeed, many of her famous pearl pieces have become timeless classics. As we celebrate her Platinum Jubilee 70 years as our monarch, we look back at some of the most iconic jewellery moments of Queen Elizabeth II's remarkable life.
Crown Jewels
The Crown jewels are the most valuable and famous jewels in the world, estimated value between 3-4 billion pounds, with a history dating back centuries.
Yellow Gold for Special occasions
The Crown Jewels are the Queen's crown, necklace, and orb. The Crown Jewels are made up of 142 items and include 23,578 precious and semi-precious stones that are permanently set. They are worn by The Queen on special occasions, such as state visits, banquets and coronations.
The Crown Jewels also have great symbolic importance, representing the power and authority of the sovereign.
Here are 2 of the most well known and loved pieces.
The Imperial State Crown
The Imperial State Crown is one of the most iconic symbols of British royalty. Worn by Queen Elizabeth II on occasions of state, the crown is set with 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 269 pearls and 4 rubies! It was made in 1838 for Queen Victoria, and altered slightly for use by her successor, King Edward VII.
The current version of the crown was made for Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, and includes a number of historic diamonds, including the Cullinan II diamond (also known as the Second Star of Africa). Weighing in at nearly 5 pounds, the crown is an impressive sight to behold and a reminder of the long and illustrious history of the British monarchy.
Saint Edwards Crown
The Saint Edwards Crown is one of the most important symbols of the British Monarch. It is used during the coronation ceremony, when the Queen or King is officially crowned.
Precious Gemstones
The crown is made of gold and is decorated with precious jewels, including diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. It was first used in the coronation of King George V in 1911 and has been used in every coronation since then. Every year, around 2.5 million people visit the Tower of London to see the crown Jewells currently on display at the Tower of London.
The Queens most popular jewellery pieces
The Queen's personal jewellery collection is vast and includes many iconic pieces, such as the Sapphire Jubilee Necklace and the Diamond Jubilee Necklace. As we celebrate her 70th year Platinum Jubilee, we take a look back at some of the most famous jewels in the world, worn by one of the most iconic women of our time.
Every so often, a piece of jewellery becomes so iconic that it takes on a life of its own. Such is the case with the Sapphire Jubilee Necklace, which was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth II to mark the occasion of her 65th year on the throne.
The Largest Sapphire in the World
The necklace features 65 sapphires, each one representing one year of the queen's reign. The centre stone is the largest sapphire in the world, and it is said to have been a gift from Prince Philip. The necklace also features diamonds and gold, making it one of the most valuable pieces in the royal collection. In 2019, the queen wore the necklace to the state opening of parliament, reaffirming its status as a symbol of her long and successful reign.
Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee Necklace
Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee necklace, which is said to be one of her favourite pieces of jewellery. The necklace was made to commemorate 50 years of Queen Victoria's reign. The centrepiece is a large gold medallion, which is surrounded by 49 smaller diamonds. The necklace also features a diamond brooch, which was given to the queen by her husband, Prince Albert.
The Queen's engagement ring
Queen Elizabeth II's engagement ring is one of the most famous pieces of jewellery in the world. The diamond and platinum ring were designed and given to the Queen by her husband, Prince Philip, when they got engaged in 1947. The central diamond is from a tiara that belonged to his mother to create the 3 carat ring. Prince Philip then used the leftover stones to make her a diamond bracelet as a wedding gift.
Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara
Amongst Queen Elizabeth's most prized items is her Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara and it is set with more than 500 aquamarines. She was gifted the necklace and earrings by the president and the people of Brazil in celebration of her coronation, over 62 years ago.
The tiara has been worn by queen Elizabeth on many occasions, and it is said to be one of her most treasured possessions.
Famous pearl pieces worn by the Queen
The Queen is also known for her love of pearls, and over the years she has worn some stunning pieces.
Wedding Gift from Prince Phillip
The Queen has also worn some stunning earrings throughout the years. One of her most famous pairs are the diamond and pearl drop earrings that she wore at her wedding. These earrings were a gift from her husband, Prince Philip, and they are said to be one of her most loved pieces of jewellery.
A Lover of Pearls
For example, she is often seen wearing a three-strand pearl necklace with a diamond clasp and it is said to be one of her most treasured possessions.
This diamond and pearl necklace was a gift from her father, King George VI, that she wore on her wedding day. She has also worn the necklace on many other occasions, including her coronation in 1953.
In addition to her necklace, the Queen also frequently wears pearl earrings and bracelets. While her pearls are undoubtedly beautiful, it is her kind and caring nature that has truly won the hearts of people around the globe.
The Queens favourite gemstone
The Queens favourite gemstone is said to be the Diamond, and it's not hard to see why. Not only is the Diamond durable and beautiful, but it also has a long history of being associated with royalty.
In fact, many of the most famous diamonds in the world, such as the Hope Diamond and the Cullinan Diamond, were once owned by monarchs.
The Diamond is also said to represent purity and innocence, making it the perfect gemstone for a queen. So, it's no wonder that the Queen's favourite gemstone is the Diamond.
The Queens Iconic Tiara's
The Queen is also well-known for her love of tiaras. She has worn many different tiaras over the years, but one of her favourites is the George IV State Diadem. This tiara was made in 1820 and it features around 1000 diamonds. The Queen has worn this tiara on many occasions, including state occasions and regal ceremonies.
The Tiara of Queen Mary
George IV State diadem tiara
Another of the Queen's favourite pieces is a tiara once belonging to Queen Mary when she was a princess in 1893. Queen Mary gave the jewel to Elizabeth as a wedding present in 1947.
Queen Elizabeth II wore the tiara at her first official portrait as monarch taken in 1952.
The Queen’s birth stones
Queen Elizabeth II was born on April 21, 1926, making her birthstone the diamond. However, she is also said to have a fondness for emeralds. In fact, she has even been known to wear emeralds in honour of her birthday.
Given her love of all things sparkly, it's no surprise that the Queen is also said to be a fan of gemstones. So, whether you're looking for a diamond, emerald, or other gemstone, you can be sure that Queen Elizabeth II would approve.
Platinum Jubilee a celebration for the country
The Queen's Crown Jewels are a source of fascination for many, and the upcoming platinum jubilee celebrations promise to be even more spectacular than previous years.
Shop the Latelita Collection
We have selected a sample of our regal jewellery from our Latelita collection, just for you.
Regency gold earrings
Gold birthstone stud earring April quartz gemstone
Baroque pearl classical gold earring
Charlotte Sapphire silver earring
Cushion cut solitaire silver earring
Tudor silver emerald earrings
Whether you're a long-time fan or just discovering these amazing pieces for the first time, here's your chance to explore some of the Queen's favourite regal pieces. Be sure to check out our collection of Latelita jewellery inspired by the crown jewels – we guarantee you won't be disappointed!
Platinum Jubilee celebrations
The Queen’s Crown Jewels are a fabulous collection of pieces that have been passed down for centuries. Each one is unique and holds special meaning for the British Monarchy. We hope you enjoyed this little foray into the world of royal jewels. Each piece is more breath-taking than the last and each one has a story to tell. These pieces are some of our favourites and I can’t wait to see what other amazing treasures Queen Elizabeth II will unveil during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Thank you for joining us in celebrating the amazing Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II! This is a momentous occasion for not just the Queen, but for all of the United Kingdom and we are so proud to be a part of it.
Thank you for reading and I hope you have a great time partying along with family and friends, no matter where you are in the world!
Cheers,
Latelita London xoxo