Princess Anne is well known for her frequent use of stunning and sentimental brooches throughout her royal career but there is one that is every bit as exquisite as it is expensive.
The Princess Royal is also known for her no-nonsense and practical approach to everyday life as well as her royal duties and it looks like she’s adopted that stance when it comes to jewellery too.
Anne’s most valuable brooch is a tiara she was given by her grandmother, the late Queen Mother, on her wedding day in 1973.
The exquisite piece, known as the Aquamarine Pineflower tiara, was created by Cartier and originally featured a central aquamarine and diamond element.
But the Princess Royal had the central aquamarine and diamond element and repurposed it as a stunning brooch – now estimated to be worth £117,000.
She notably wore the newly transformed brooch to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in June 2014 and again in 2019 alongside the tiara for the state banquet at the palace to honour then-US president Donald Trump.
Anne still uses the Aquamarine Pineflower tiara to this day, typically wearing it at state events.
The large rectangular aquamarine now occupies the space where the central element was removed for the brooch.
Maxwell Stone, of jewellers Steven Stone, said of the brooch: “Renowned as one of the most industrious members of the Royal Family, Princess Anne exemplifies unwavering dedication to her extensive engagements and charitable endeavours – a commitment that extends even to her choice of accessories, particularly her brooch collection.
“Her collection not only showcases her exquisite taste, but also reflects the deep significance she places on her royal responsibilities.
The Princess Royal’s most valuable brooch has an intriguing history as it wasn’t always a brooch. Originally a tiara, it was gifted to her by her grandmother in 1973 as a wedding present.
“The exquisite piece, known as the Aquamarine Pineflower tiara, featured a central aquamarine and diamond element that Anne had removed and remounted as a brooch, likely to make it more versatile and suitable for frequent wear.”
