Queen Mary, grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II was gifted this diamond and pearl brooch as a wedding gift. Queen Mary wore the brooch on her honeymoon and it was associated with love in their family.
During Queen Elizabeth II’s early reign she wore the brooch to several formal events that she attended with her husband, it was also seen at military remembrance events. The brooch can be worn with or without the detachable pearl drop.
Tying all of that together made it the brooch of choice for the funeral of Prince Philip. He was her steadfast love and partner, and it was a symbol to him of her continued devotion.
Here’s the story behind the Richmond Brooch: Elizabeth’s grandmother, Queen Mary, was gifted the brooch, made by Hunt and Raskell, in 1893 as a wedding present. The brooch features diamonds, set with two pearls—one large round center pearl and the detachable pearl. Mary wore the broach on her honeymoon at Osborne House on Isle of Wight.
It’s very fitting that Queen Elizabeth chose to wear this particular brooch today, considering the romantic connections it has in her family and her grandparents’ own love story.