Queen Camilla Wears a Bejeweled Moth to Honor the Empress of Japan

One more jewelry highlight moment from this week’s Japanese state visit to Britain: a special bejeweled brooch chosen by Queen Camilla to pay tribute to Empress Masako during the official farewell ceremony.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla said goodbye to their guests, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan, at Buckingham Palace on Thursday. The imperial couple have more engagements on their program for Thursday and Friday, but this moment marked the end of the royal family’s role in the state visit.

Queen Camilla wore bright royal blue for the official farewell moment outside the palace. She accessorized with  pearl drop earrings, her usual casual necklaces and bracelets, and a gem-set brooch from her collection of insect-themed jewelry. (I also spot a new necklace with a teeny heart pendant, I believe.)

Here’s a closer look at the brooch, which features diamonds and dark blue sapphires set in gold. In the past, I’ve described this brooch as representing a butterfly. I am notoriously bad at identifying insects and flowers, but the fact that Camilla chose this brooch for the final engagement of the Japanese state visit tells me that the piece is probably instead meant to resemble a moth.

Why a moth? It’s because one of Masako’s traditional roles as the Empress of Japan includes participation in sericulture, the farming of silkworms and the subsequent production of silk. The Imperial Palace complex in Tokyo includes sericulture facilities. Masako takes part in the process, feeding the silkworms and helping to harvest the cocoons. Later, the silk produced is used to make gifts for visiting dignitaries, according to the Imperial Household Agency.

The diamond and sapphire brooch has been in Camilla’s collection for many years. She’s worn it since her early days as Duchess of Cornwall, including this appearance at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in 2006.

Here, a decade later, she wears the brooch on Christmas Day for a church service at St. Mary Magdalene near the Sandringham estate in 2016.

Here’s one more look at Camilla wearing the moth brooch as she waves goodbye to the Emperor and Empress.

Speaking of Masako, she wore a blush-colored ensemble with white lace accents for engagements on Thursday, including the stop at Buckingham Palace and a visit to view the “Japan: Myths to Manga” exhibition at the Young V&A. As usual, she accessorized with elegant pearl jewelry, including button-style earrings with diamond halos and a double row of pearls.