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Queen Camilla made a sweet nod to the Princess of Wales today as she visited the Isle of Man.
The Queen looked regal in a navy blue Anne Valentine coat which she paired with a colour-matching Chanel AS1286 crossbody bag and her favourite Russel and Bromley Dressage knee-high black suede boots (£475).
She accessorised her outfit with her signature jewellery – Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Alhambra 5 Motifs 18k yellow gold and agate bracelet (£4,015), the Sweet Alhambra Heart 18k rose gold & carnelian bracelet (£1,232) by the same brand, the ‘Apollo’ mini blue topaz and diamond pendant in yellow gold by Kiki McDonough (£2,300) and her gold plate pendant with a ruby (her July birthstone) centre stone and the five initials of her grandchildren from her first marriage.
But there was also another accessory Camilla chose to wear and it was a definite show-stopper.
While the Princess of Wales’s engagement ring is one of the most popular royal rings and generally receives a lot of attention, it’s not actually the most valuable piece of sapphire jewellery in the Royal Family’s jewellery box.
But now according to jewellery experts, Camilla’s brooch, which is said to have inspired Princess Kate’s ring, comes very close.
The Queen’s magnificent sapphire and diamond brooch features a large oval or cushion-shaped sapphire, which is at least 40cts and is surrounded by 12 large diamonds, which look to be around 12cts.
The stunning piece – which comes at a hefty price tag – is said to have been commissioned by Prince Albert in 1840 for Queen Victoria and then was passed down to Queen Elizabeth II before being given to Queen Camilla.
It is estimated to be worth a staggering £8million.
Maxwell Stone, of jewellers Steven Stone, said: “Due to the clarity and intense colour of the sapphire it was possibly sourced from Burma. If it was to be sold today, it would be worth around £8,000,000, thanks to its historic legacy.
“When the brooch was passed down to Queen Elizabeth II, it became one of her staple accessories and she incorporated it into many of her most iconic outfits. The brooch is just one in a series of heirloom sapphires that Queen Camilla has worn since the late monarch’s passing and her husband’s accession.
“The brooch is said to have inspired the design for Kate Middleton’s engagement ring, which was originally given to Princess Diana from Prince Charles. Thus, making it even more of a sentimental choice from the Queen at this particular moment in time, with the Princess of Wales out of the spotlight while she recovers from surgery.”
