A Trio of Regal Brooches

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Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom has been busy this week. After her appearance at the Chelsea Flower Show on Monday, she’s had three more major engagements. Here’s a look at the brooches she chose for those occasions.

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On Tuesday, the Queen held audiences at Buckingham Palace. One of the people she met with was Sir Jerry Mateparae, the High Commissioner of New Zealand. Appropriately, the Queen wore her New Zealand Silver Fern Brooch for the occasion. The diamond and platinum brooch was given to her on Christmas Day 1953 on behalf of the women of Auckland.

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That afternoon, the Queen attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace. With her bright yellow coat and hat, she wore her Frosted Sunflower (or Dahlia) Brooch.

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On Wednesday, the Queen attended a service marking the Centenary of the Order of the British Empire at St. Paul’s Cathedral. She wore her mother’s Palm Leaf Brooch, which was made by Cartier in 1938.

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The Duke of Edinburgh, who is Grand Master of the order, also attended the service. He wore the scarlet robes and collar of the order.

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The Queen’s decision to wear a coat and hat at this service is yet another sign that times are changing. Five years ago, she wore the robes of the order — and the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara — for a similar service at St. Paul’s.