The Diamond Clematis Brooch

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Some of the Queen’s jewels are relics of their time, while other pieces are true classics. Today’s jewel, the Diamond Clematis Brooch, definitely falls into the latter category.

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The brooch is dazzling, shaped like a clematis flower, with all six petals encrusted in diamonds. A single diamond sits in the center of the flower.

One of the earliest outings for the brooch came on a very important day in July 1947, as Princess Elizabeth’s engagement to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten was officially announced. She wore the brooch for the official photo call with her husband-to-be.

Most of the press attention was understandably on her engagement ring, but the brooch also sparkled mightily as she posed alongside the future Duke of Edinburgh.

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The brooch may be more than seven decades old at this point, but its design is timeless, and it looks just as fresh for contemporary occasions as it did on the day the Queen’s engagement photos were taken. HM still wears the brooch quite frequently. Here, in June 2008, she wears it for the Queens Cup Final at Guards Polo Club in Windsor.

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In June 2013, she wore the brooch on a pale green coat to attend the Epsom Derby.

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The brooch shone brightly against the Queen’s lavender jacket in July 2014 for a commemorative service at the Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle.

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And in October 2019, she wore the brooch on a textured coat as she presented the trophy to the winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on British Champions Day at Ascot.