Royal Rubies at the British Museum

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Queen Elizabeth II popped over to the British Museum this morning for the reopening of the Sir Joseph Hotung Gallery of China and South Asia, and she brought a royal ruby flower along with her.

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For the gallery opening, she wore her usual pearls with her Ruby Sweet William Brooch, which features a ruby- and diamond-studded Sweet William flower (set in yellow gold) with a diamond ribbon and stem. The brooch reportedly dates back to the 1960s.

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Here’s a better view of the brooch.

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The Sir Joseph Hotung Gallery of China and South Asia features numerous objects from one of the museum’s substantial collections. HM’s visit to reopen the gallery brings the renovation full circle — she’s the one who originally opened it in 1992.

(Thanks to lovely reader Liisa for an update on the flower depicted in the brooch!)