Queen’s Williamson Pink Diamond Brooch

Today marks the anniversary of the Birth of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was born on this in 1926! The oldest and longest reigning British Monarch had one of, if not the, largest jewellery collections, and today’s piece is one that had been in her jewellery box for over seven decades, the Queen’s Williamson Pink Diamond Brooch!

Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara | Vladimir Tiara | Imperial State Crown | George IV State Diadem | Belgian Sapphire Tiara | Burmese Ruby Tiara | Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara | Cambridge Emerald Parure | Coronation Necklace | George VI Festoon Necklace | Sapphire Suite | Fringe Necklace | Williamson Pink Diamond Brooch | Three-Strand Pearl Necklace | The British Royal Tiaras | British Royal Jewels

When Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) married Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark in 1947, the couple received over 2,500 gifts, which were sent from family, heads-of-state, and well-wishers around the world, and included a rough 54 carat pink diamond from the Canadian Geologist and Royalist, John Thorburn Wililamson. The diamond was discovered by a group of children under a tree outside a mine owned by Dr. Williamson in Tanzania.

The following year, the Princess had the rough pink diamond cut by Briefel and Lemer into a faceted 23.6 carat pink diamond which is said to be the world’s largest and most flawless pink diamond. The Princess was accompanied by her grandmother, Queen Mary, on a visit to view the diamond before it went on display.  

After her accession to the Throne in 1952, the new Queen had the Pink Diamond set into a brooch composed of a platinum and diamond jonquil  flower with the Wililamson Pink Diamond in the centre, which was created by Cartier in London in 1953 using additional diamonds also presented by Dr. Williamson.

The Queen began wearing her Williamson Pink Diamond Brooch soon afterwards, most notably for a series of portraits with Prince Charles and Princess Anne, that were taken by Marcus Adams at Buckingham Palace in late 1954.

The Pink Diamond Brooch was worn for the Portuguese State Visit to Britain in 1955, the State Visit to Denmark in 1957, the State Visit to the Netherlands in 1958, the Thai State Visit in 1960, and a visit to India in 1961.

The most iconic appearance of the Queen’s Williamson Pink Diamond Brooch was during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Service in 1977, which included a Procession in the Gold State Coach and a Luncheon at the Guildhall as well as an appearance on the Balcony of Buckingham Palace.

In 1981, the Queen wore her Williamson Pink Diamond Brooch for the  Wedding of Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer, and many years later, it was also worn for the Wedding of Viscount Linley in 1993 and the Wedding of Prince Edward in 1999.

In recent years, the Queen wore her Williamson Pink Diamond Brooch on a handful of occasions, including a G-20 Summit Reception in 2009, a visit to Canada in 2010, Royal Ascot, and the Festival of Remembrance in 2013, though the last appearance was on a State Visit to France in 2014. 

The Williamson Pink Diamond Brooch had been frequently displayed as a part of exhibitions held by the Royal Collection, and in 2018, it was loaned to the landmark Cartier exhibition held in Canberra. Lets hope we see it again soon!

Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara | Vladimir Tiara | Imperial State Crown | George IV State Diadem | Belgian Sapphire Tiara | Burmese Ruby Tiara | Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara | Cambridge Emerald Parure | Coronation Necklace | George VI Festoon Necklace | Sapphire Suite | Fringe Necklace | Williamson Pink Diamond Brooch | Three-Strand Pearl Necklace | The British Royal Tiaras | British Royal Jewels