King Charles III and Queen Camilla are in Ottawa on their first Visit as Sovereigns to Canada, where Queen Camilla has been wearing the Queen Mother’s iconic Diamond Maple Leaf Brooch, but today, we are featuring the lesser-known Queen Mary’s Maple Leaf Brooch.
In 1901, the future Queen Mary received this striking Enamel and Diamond Maple Leaf Brooch from the Ladies of Montreal during her first Tour of Canada, which was described:
The jewel consists of a spray of six maple leaves mounted with diamonds. No two of the maple leaves are alike in form and colour. They are of solid eighteen-carat gold, beautifully enamelled in delightfully delicate tones.
Shortly after dinner on Wednesday, a simple ceremony took place at Lord Strathcona’s residence, being the presentation to Their Royal Highnesses of mementos of their visit to Montreal by the members of the Citizen’s Reception Committee. That to the Duchess which was presented by Lady Strathcona and Mrs. Drummond, consisted of a spray of maple leaves wrought in gold and enamel and set with diamonds and pearls.
Queen Mary mostly notably wore the Enamel and Diamond Maple Leaf Brooch to open Canada House in 1925, and while it was not regularly worn, the Brooch does appear to have been put on display in her private apartments.
In the Spring of 1939, Queen Mary sent her Enamel and Diamond Maple Leaf Brooch to her daughter-in-law, Queen Elizabeth, ahead of her first Tour of Canada, along with this note:
27 April 1939 / Darling Elizabeth. Here is the brooch of enamelled maple leaf given me by the Women of Montreal in Sept. 1901. Do wear it while you are there. Wednesday morning May 3rd will suit me for seeing your toilettes, you will need to tell me the hour later on. Ever yr. loving Mama, Mary”
While she frequently wore her iconic Diamond Maple Leaf Brooch, only newly revealed images show Queen Elizabeth wearing the Enamel and Diamond Maple Leaf Brooch in Winnipeg, the capital of the province of Manitoba, during the Tour of Canada in 1939.
Queen Mary’s Maple Leaf Brooch remained in the vaults for decades until it reappeared the late Queen Elizabeth II during her final Tour of Canada in 2010, being first worn in Halifax on Day 2 of the eight-day Tour.
The Queen wore the Enamel and Diamond Maple Leaf Brooch again in Toronto on the final day of the Tour, which was its last public appearance.
However, in 2018, the Royal Canadian Mint featured Queen Mary’s Maple Leaf Brooch on a commemorative $20 silver coin in 2018, saying:
It is unknown how long the brooch had been hidden away in the royal vault, but one thing is certain, that spray of maple leaves evoked a sense of home so poignant that The Queen was inspired to wear them as an outward expression of the warmth she feels for her second home—the home of the maple leaf.”
Lets hope we see Queen Camilla wear Queen Mary’s Enamel and Diamond Maple Leaf Brooch soon!
Patricia Treble
Order of Canada
Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara
Vladimir Tiara
Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara
Belgian Sapphire Tiara
Burmese Ruby Tiara
Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara
Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara
Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara
Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara
Nizam of Hyderabad Tiara
Plunket Tiara
Five Aquamarine Tiara
Imperial State Crown
George IV State Diadem
Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara
Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara
Burmese Ruby Tiara
The Belgian Sapphire Tiara
Greville Tiara
Delhi Durbar Tiara
Cubitt-Shand Tiara
Queen’s Five Aquamarine Tiara
George IV State Diadem
Queen Mary’s Crown
Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara
The Cartier Halo Tiara
The Lotus Flower Tiara
Strathmore Rose Tiara
King George VI Festoon Necklace
