Queen Camilla has honoured her mother-in-law, the late Queen Elizabeth, by wearing her tiara during a royal engagement.
On October 18, 2023, Camilla, along with husband King Charles, attended a reception and dinner held at Mansion House in the City of London, in honour of their coronation.
And for the event, Camilla paired her black and silver Bruce Oldfield gown with the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara; a tiara Elizabeth wore numerous times during her reign (in fact, several British and Commonwealth banknotes and coins feature a depiction of Elizabeth wearing this tiara).
As with most jewels belonging to the royal family, the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara has a rich history.
According to the Royal Collection Trust, the tiara in question was originally Queen Mary’s. In 1893, it was given to Mary – who at that time was the Duchess of York – as a wedding present from the “Girls of Great Britain and Ireland”.
Then in 1947, Mary gave the tiara to her granddaughter, the then-Princess Elizabeth, on her and Prince Philip’s wedding day.
The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara wasn’t the only piece of Elizabeth’s jewellery that Camilla wore to Mansion House.
The Queen also wore the matching necklace and bracelet that were given to Elizabeth on her 21st birthday by the Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa, Field Marshal Jan Smuts.
At the time, also in 1947, Prime Minister Smuts said when presenting the gift to Elizabeth: “This little gift will remind her of this wonderful visit to South Africa and of this milestone in her life.
“It will be a symbol of the link she has established with our country and its people.
“It will remind her of the deep and sincere feelings of sympathy and goodwill which this historic visit has stirred in the hearts of all my people.”
