The Queen, A Life in Jewels: Silver Jubilee and Royal Wedding Diamonds

Twenty-five years after the Queen’s accession to the throne, she celebrated her Silver Jubilee while wearing a remarkable diamond jewel—which she would later also wear for a pair of family weddings.

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh in the open landau as they drive on the return processional drive to Buckingham Palace after lunch at the Guildhall to celebrate the Silver Jubilee — PA Images/Alamy

Queen Elizabeth II marked 25 years on the throne in February 1977. That June, major celebrations were held in London, including a special service of thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Philip arrive at St Pauls Cathedral, for Thanksgiving service, to celebrate HRH Silver Jubilee, Tuesday 7th June 1977 — Trinity Mirror/Mirrorpix/Alamy

Here, the Queen arrives for the service on June 7, 1977, wearing a pink silk crepe and chiffon creation by Sir Hardy Amies. The dress and coat, along with a matching hat, are currently on display at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, part of this year’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Elizabeth II and Prince Philip after Silver Throne Jubilee — Keystone Press/Alamy

With the pink dress, she wore a spectacular pink diamond. The gem, set in the center of the Williamson Pink Diamond Brooch, was one of her wedding gifts in 1947.

The Williamson brooch lent by Her Magesty Queen Elizabeth II on show at the Cartier: The Exhibition Media Preview at the National Gallery of Australia on March 28, 2018 in Canberra, Australia — Cole Bennetts/Getty Images

Here’s a closer look at the brooch. The diamond was given to the Queen by Canadian geologist John Thoburn Williamson, who owned the mine where it was discovered. Elizabeth and her grandmother, Queen Mary, supervised the process of having the diamond cut and mounted in a suitable piece of jewelry. The resulting diamond and platinum brooch, made in London by Cartier, was finished in 1953, and it quickly became one of the Queen’s favorite pieces for important events.

The brooch was a sparkling ornament suitable for a jubilee celebration. For the 1977 jubilee service, the Queen paired it with diamond and pearl drop earrings (now worn by the Princess of Wales) and a two-stranded pearl necklace (the Hanoverian Pearls, I think).

Photo taken on July 29, 1981 shows European Royal Families who attended the wedding of Prince Charles (C-R) and Lady Diana (C-L) the Princess of Wales — AFP via Getty Images

Four years later, she wore the brooch and another double strand of pearls for another important family milestone: the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer.