Queen Elizabeth II’s Rare Covid-19 Message In Queen Mary’s Diamond And Turquoise Brooch
Today Queen Elizabeth II delivered a rare special televised message regarding the Covid-19 crises. Apart from her Christmas message, it is extremely rare for the monarch to make a special address. The only other instances include at the time of the Gulf war in 1991, on the eve of the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997, on the death of the Queen Mother in 2002, and on the occasion of her diamond jubilee in 2012.
The bold color choice of the Queen’s dress and brooch matched the uplifting, hopeful tone and message of her address. Alongside her uniform triple-strand pearls, her majesty also wore Queen Mary’s turquoise and diamond brooch.
According to “Our Rainbow Queen: A Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II And Her Colorful Wardrobe” by Sali Hughes, the Queen started wearing pearls back in 1935 because of a gift from King George V a year before his death. “The Queen is mostly seen in triple-strand pearl necklaces and has made them her trademark since 1935, when George V gave his two granddaughters a pearl necklace each—a double strand for Margaret, a triple strand for Lilibet.”
This statement diamond and turquoise brooch was one of the several pieces of turquoise jewelry gifted to Princess Victoria Mary of Teck on her July 6, 1893 wedding day to The Duke of York (the future King George V) from his parents, the future King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.
The stunning piece was passed down to Queen Elizabeth II upon Queen Mary’s death in 1953. This marks the 10th time Queen Elizabeth II has worn the brooch publicly. The first time was in 2014 when we also saw nine other rare brooches brought into rotation for the first time.
