From important gemstones and statement necklaces, here are some of the most spectacular gifts presented to the queen over the years.
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King Faisal of Saudi Arabia necklace
On a visit to the UK, King Faisal of Saudi Arabia gifted the queen a diamond necklace from Harry Winston. The design features more than 300 diamonds with a total weight of 80 carats. The necklace is a favourite of hers and she’s worn it during official engagements with the Saudis on numerous occasions.
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King Khalid of Saudi Arabia necklace
King Khalid continued the Saudi tradition of shopping at Harry Winston for the queen and presented her with another show-stopping diamond necklace for her majesty. The queen received the necklace in 1979 on her visit to Saudi Arabia.
Bahrain’s diamond and pearl earrings
A gift from the Hakim of Bahrain to mark her wedding in 1947, Princess Elizabeth received a set of pearl and diamond earrings. Bahrain produces some of the world’s finest natural pearls and two lustrous, round pearls in white were used to create the drop earrings. Round and baguette diamonds form the drop, giving the design a hint of art-deco aesthetics.
Brazil’s parure
For the queen’s coronation in 1953, then Brazil president Getúlio Vargas, on behalf of the people of Brazil, presented her with a set of matching necklace and earrings loaded with aquamarines.
The queen was so enamoured with the gem that she took it upon herself to create a matching aquamarine tiara to complement the gifts. When the government of Brazil heard of this, they further gifted other pieces to complete the parure, this time a bracelet and a brooch, in 1958.
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Sheikh Rashid of Dubai’s sapphire parure
From Aspery’s London comes this stunning sapphire and diamond necklace, which Sheikh Rashid of Dubai gifted the queen with in 1979. Along with necklace, the suite came with matching earrings, brooch and a ring; the earrings and brooch were later taken apart and made into a bracelet.
Floral brooch from the Obamas
Michelle Obama revealed, during the London stop of the tour to promote her book Becoming in 2019, that she was surprised to see the queen wear the brooch President Barack Obama and herself presented on their state visits to Buckingham Palace in 2011.
The former First Lady describes the piece as a “little bitty pin”, which the queen graciously put on for the dinner they attended later that evening.
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The brooch is a floral number accented with diamonds and agate purchased at Tiny Jewel Box in Washington DC. The queen was recently seen wearing the piece the same day President Trump visited Buckingham Palace in 2018; some royal commentators suggested this was the queen’s subtle attempt to throw shade at President Trump.
Japanese pearl choker
The queen is very fond of pearls and she wears them frequently day-to-day. Her father King George gave her a three-strand necklace, which many believe sparked her love for the gem. The Japanese government must have caught on and decided to gift her with a four-strand choker with a diamond pendant in the 1980s.
The piece likely features Akoya pearls, a variety of cultured pearls created using the culturing process perfected by the Japanese.
The necklace is a favourite of the queen and other royals; the late Princess Diana and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge have borrowed the piece.
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