Queen of diplomatic dressing! Her Majesty chose a diamond floral brooch given to her by Australia’s prime minister during 1954 Coronation tour to mark centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force
- Her Majesty wore the Australian wattle brooch yesterday in Runnymede, Surrey
- Paid tribute to Royal Australian Air Force in first royal engagement in five months
- Piece was gifted to her on first trip to country in 1954 during her Coronation tour
- The yellow and white diamond brooch depicts the national flower of Australia
The Queen opted for a timeless piece of jewellery gifted to her during her first trip to Australia in 1954 to mark the centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force.
Her Majesty wore the Australian wattle brooch yesterday when she undertook her first public royal engagement in five months, visiting the Commonwealth Air Forces Memorial in Runnymede, Surrey.
The historic brooch was gifted to the 94-year-old monarch by the Australian government and people on her first trip to the country during her Coronation tour.
Designed to represent the national flower of Australia; the yellow and white diamond brooch depicts a spray of wattle with mimosa leaves and tea tree blossoms in stunning gemstones.
The Queen opted for a timeless piece of jewellery gifted to her during her first trip to Australia in 1954 to mark the centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force
Her Majesty wore the Australian wattle brooch gifted to her by the Australian government and people on her first trip to the country during her Coronation tour in 1954
The piece of jewellery was presented to the Queen at a state banquet in Canberra by Prime Minister Robert Menzies and she was spotted wearing the brooch throughout her tour.
The piece has made numerous appearances during Her Majesty’s trips to Australia; most recently in October 2011 for her arrival in Canberra, on the first day of an 11-day tour of the country with the Duke of Edinburgh.
Before her outing yesterday the last time the monarch wore the piece was in 2019, attending the Royal Maundy Service at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
Another notable occasion the Queen opted for the brooch was for the wedding of her son Charles to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall in April 2005.
Her Majesty wore the brooch in October 2011 for her arrival in Canberra, on the first day of an 11-day tour of the country with the Duke of Edinburgh
Before her outing yesterday the last time the monarch wore the piece was in 2019, attending the Royal Maundy Service at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle
Thanks to its floral design, Her Majesty often chooses to wear the piece for her annual visit to the Chelsea Flower Show, and also donned it for her annual Christmas Message in 1976.
The Queen, who had her Covid vaccine in January, did not wear a face covering but opted for a bright spring-inspired ensemble for her outing yesterday.
She chose an ivory Angela Kelly dress, green coat and matching hat adorned with faux daffodils and orchids.
When the Queen arrived at Runnymede she was greeted by Claire Horton, director general of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and George Brandis, High Commissioner for Australia.
The ceremony began with a flypast by the Red Arrows, but with white smoke only instead of the familiar red, white and blue. As they do not normally perform at this time of year, their smoke pods are in for maintenance.
Another notable occasion the Queen opted for the brooch was for the wedding of her son Charles to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall in April 2005
The Queen, who had her Covid vaccine in January, did not wear a face covering but donned a bright spring-inspired ensemble for her outing yesterday
Prayers were then said for Royal Australian Air Force servicemen and women who have lost their lives in service of their country before Her Majesty’s Equerry Major Tom White laid a wreath on her behalf.
As she arrived at the memorial, which she opened in 1953, the Queen remarked on how long it was since she had last been there.
The outing comes as her husband Prince Philip, 99, recovers at home after undergoing heart surgery for a pre-existing heart condition at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London earlier this month.
The engagement fell on the first anniversary of ‘Megxit’ – when the Queen’s grandson Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down from royal duties and stopped using their HRH styles, on March 31 last year.
The visit comes amid a tumultuous time for the family, in the wake of the Sussexes’ televised sit-down with Oprah Winfrey at the start of last month which left the royal family facing one of its worst crises for generations.