The hidden meaning behind Camilla’s brooches during US state visit,
Fashion has long been its own language in the world of diplomacy – and the Queen and First Lady of the US let their sartorial choices do the talking as the royals kicked off their landmark state visit with a trip to Washington DC.
Camilla, 78, has with her touching jewellery choices paid tribute to her husband, who she is supporting as he endeavours to bridge together the two nations, amid terse transatlantic relations. Meanwhile Melania Trump, 56, has tactfully sported European brands for the engagements.
And King Charles’s wife has in particular been intentional with her brooch selection.
On day one of the visit, she set the tone with a Cartier Union Jack and Stars and Stripes clasp first given to her late mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II, when she made her first trip across the pond as a British monarch in 1957.
The stunning piece, fastened to Camilla’s dress, was studded with diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and rubies.
A key piece of diplomatic jewellery, the brooch symbolises the ‘special relationship’ and strong sense of unity shared between the UK and US and the Royal Family’s commitment to furthering that alliance during this trip.
She accessorised her outfit with a pair of pearl pendant earrings, valued at an estimated £38,000.
On day one of the visit, she set the tone with a Cartier Union Jack and Stars and Stripes clasp first given to her late mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II, when she made her first trip across the pond as a British monarch in 1957
The stunning piece, fastened to Camilla’s dress, was studded with diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and rubies
The following day, for their formal White House welcome on Tuesday, the Queen opted for yet another sentimental piece as she quietly honoured the late Elizabeth II yet again.
Her Majesty was typically elegant in a mint green coat dress which she later swapped out for a black and white ensemble; and pinned to her lapel was her mother-in-law’s glittering Cullinan V brooch, the 18.8-carat heart-shaped diamond that was among Elizabeth’s most treasured jewels.
The late Queen was famously seen wearing the brooch, which once belonged to her grandmother Queen Mary, in Prince Philip’s 99th official birthday portrait in June 2022.
And much like Elizabeth II had been, Camilla opted to wear it while supporting her husband.
As things got into full swing with a formal state banquet last night, Camilla matched Melania with a bright pink gown by Fiona Clare.
And adding even more opulence to the stunning beaded embroidery on the dress was an amethyst and diamond necklace, which was gifted by a former Duchess of Kent to Queen Victoria and then passed to Queen Mary.
The following day, for their formal White House welcome on Tuesday, the Queen opted for yet another sentimental piece as she quietly honoured the late Elizabeth II yet again
Pinned to her lapel was her mother-in-law’s glittering Cullinan V brooch, the 18.8-carat heart-shaped diamond that was among Elizabeth’s most treasured jewels
As things got into full swing with a formal state banquet last night, Camilla matched Melania with a bright pink gown by Fiona Clare
Camilla skipped on wearing a tiara – instead choosing to display her royal status in a more subtle way that didn’t stray too far from the white tie dress code at the White House
Camilla skipped on wearing a tiara – instead choosing to display her royal status in a more subtle way that didn’t stray too far from the white tie dress code at the White House.
The Queen and the First Lady appear to have coordinated their colours, opting to wear twinning hues at a variety of events throughout the visit so far.
And last night proved to be diplomatic success as both Trump and the King made comments about their countries’ shared backstories, with Charles calling the fete a ‘very considerable improvement on the Boston Tea Party’.
The King also called attention to the President’s ‘readjustments’ to the East Wing, which is no longer standing.
‘I’m sorry to say that we British, of course, made our own small attempt at real estate redevelopment of the White House in 1814,’ the King joked.
He also noted how the President recently said, ‘that if it were not for the United States, European countries would be speaking German’.
‘Dare I say it, if it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French,’ Charles said, cracking up the President and his guests.
The King then unveiled an extraordinarily personal gift for the President during his toast – a large gold bell that hung from the conning tower of HMS Trump, a Royal Navy submarine that fought in the Battle of the Pacific in the Second World War.
‘May it stand as a testament to our nations’ shared history and shining future,’ the King said of the gift. ‘And should you ever need to get hold of us, well, just give us a ring,’ the monarch quipped.
The gift echoed one from Queen Elizabeth II of the bicentennial Liberty Bell on her visit to the US in 1976.
Despite some clear policy differences expressed by the King in his speech to Congress earlier in the day, Mr Trump kicked off the dinner by complimenting it.
‘He made a great speech,’ Mr Trump said during a brief welcome ceremony on the South Lawn. ‘I was very jealous.’
Later, during his toast, the President explained what he meant.
‘I want to congratulate Charles on having made a fantastic speech today at Congress,’ Mr Trump said. ‘He got the Democrats to stand. I’ve never been able to do that.’
However, Mr Trump risked embarrassing the King as he apparently revealed his private views on Iran and nuclear weapons.
In a fulsome and highly complimentary speech at the White House state dinner in Washington, Mr Trump suddenly appeared to veer off course and refer to the conflict.
Raising the issue of historic war in the Middle East he said: ‘We’re doing a little work in the Middle East right now. And we’re doing very well.
‘We have militarily defeated that particular opponent and we are never going to let that opponent ever… Charles agrees with me, even more than I do… we will never let that opponent have a nuclear weapon. They know that.’
The President’s words were greeted with cheers, but there was no immediate reaction from Buckingham Palace.
Last night’s dinner was meant to resemble an English garden, with both the Queen and First Lady sporting spring colors.
