It’s flower vs. flower in today’s afternoon match-up…

The Flower Basket Brooch vs. The Queen Mother’s Australian Hibiscus Brooch

The Flower Basket Brooch

This lovely brooch was given to the Queen in 1948 by her parents. It was a present to mark the birth of her first child, Prince Charles. The Queen, then still Princess Elizabeth, wore the brooch for Charles’s first official photograph. She’s worn it regularly since, including a sentimental appearance at the christening of Prince George, Charles’s first grandson, in 2013.

The Queen Mother’s Australian Hibiscus Brooch

The Hibiscus Brooch, set with diamond and rubies, was given to the Queen Mother by the people of Australia in 1958. The Queen Mother was absolutely delighted with the gift, and she began wearing it right away. The Queen inherited the jewel from her mother in 2002, and she’s worn it occasionally in the years since. In 2018, it was a very appropriate choice for the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.

More brooch competition coming your way in the morning — and, in the meantime, a brand-new Nightly Necklace post!

Get excited: we’ve got the results from our brooch tournament play-in contests!

The Grima Ruby Brooch vs. The Diamond Wild Rose Brooch

In our first contest, an abstract modern brooch faced off against a classic floral design. The Grima Ruby Brooch was favored by 32.4% of you, but the Diamond Wild Rose Brooch claimed victory with 67.6% of the vote!

The Braemar Feather Brooch vs. The Diamond Art Deco Clip Brooch

This one was a runaway! The Diamond Art Deco Clip Brooch prevailed over the Braemar Feather Brooch, winning 74.69% of the vote to the feather’s 25.31%!

The Coral Rose Brooch vs. The Crystal Orchid Brooch

Two unusual floral brooches were featured in this match-up. The Crystal Orchid Brooch won the day with 62.35% of the vote, while the Coral Rose Brooch took home 37.65%!

The Modern Ruby and Diamond Spray Brooch vs. The Greville Ivy Leaf Clips

This contest wasn’t a close one. The Greville Ivy Leaf Clips were favored by 63.71% of voters, while the Modern Ruby and Diamond Spray Brooch only captured 36.29% of the vote!

click to enlarge

And here’s our final bracket! Stay tuned … the contest continues tomorrow!

Will it be a fantastic feather or a classic clip in our second play-in contest?

The Braemar Feather Brooch vs. The Diamond Art Deco Clip Brooch

The Braemar Feather Brooch

To mark her Golden Jubilee in 2002, the Braemar Royal Highland Society presented the Queen with this special eagle’s feather brooch. She has worn the brooch, which is made of white and yellow gold, silver, and platinum, every year for the Braemar Highland Games since she received it.

The Diamond Art Deco Clip Brooch

This classic diamond clip brooch appears to be a vintage jewel, perhaps dating to the 1930s or 1940s, but the Queen’s only been wearing it in public since 2015. Since then, it’s made several significant outings, including a trip to Northern Ireland, and is often worn for palace audiences.

Our third surprise play-in contest will go live tomorrow morning!