Summary
- Queen Elizabeth II remains a beloved figure for many Brits.
- Queen Camilla has recently worn one of the most iconic jewelry pieces.
- The late Queen had a special attitude towards the headpiece.
It's been over a year since Queen Elizabeth II passed away and the UK now has a new king, but the late monarch continues to play an important role in the country's culture. Throughout her life, Queen Elizabeth was known for her impeccable manners and exquisite taste in clothing. However austere, the late Queen's attire always exuded grace and elegance.
This was also true of Elizabeth II's approach to royal jewelry, as she never wore excessive accessories. Quite reserved in her choice of precious adornments, the late monarch made intricate use of the royal collection, donning different pieces from time to time. But there was one headpiece that was most closely associated with Queen Elizabeth. And now it rests on the head of another queen.
Queen Camilla's First State Opening of Parliament
Just yesterday, the United Kingdom marked a new stage in the country's history as King Charles III and his wife, Queen Consort Camilla, attended their first State Opening of Parliament in their new capacity as monarchs of the UK and Commonwealth. While the King traditionally wore the Imperial State Crown, his spouse was spotted wearing his late mother's favorite headpiece.
Commonly referred to as the Diamond Diadem, the George IV State Diadem was created for the monarch's coronation in 1820. Featuring a staggering 1332 diamonds, along with a four-carat yellow-toned diamond set in the front cross, the headpiece is arguably the most famous item of British royal regalia, surpassing the aforementioned Imperial State Crown in fame.
In turn, the Queen Consort made perfect use of this headpiece, pairing it with her coronation gown. The combination of white, gold, and diamond glitter contributes to a truly royal look for Camilla.
Queen Elizabeth II and the Diamond Diadem
The beloved late monarch had a special relationship with the headpiece. Because she hadn't yet been crowned, she wore the diadem when she addressed Parliament for the first time after her father's death. Later, during the coronation, the future queen wore the headpiece to Westminster, where the Imperial State Crown was placed on her head.
More significantly, Queen Elizabeth II has posed for all Commonwealth coins and banknotes in the Diamond Diadem. Given that she has stated that the crown is very heavy, it is not surprising that she has opted for a lighter headpiece.
'You can't look down to read the speech, you have to take the speech up. Because if you did, your neck would break and it [the crown] would fall off,' Queen Elizabeth said in an interview.
Currently, the tiara has a new holder and it looks like we'll be seeing Camilla wearing the headpiece on many more occasions.
Source: YouTube.