![The Queen: A Life in Jewels](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/alifeinjewels.jpg?resize=1200%2C713&ssl=1)
On February 5, 1952, Princess Elizabeth climbed into a treehouse hotel for a night’s stay. The following morning, when she climbed back down, everything had changed.
![Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, leaving their BOAC airliner as they return from Kenya following the death of King George VI and Elizabeth's accession to the throne, London, February 7th 1952](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2022-0206-01-elizabeth04-1.jpg?resize=1200%2C881&ssl=1)
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip were in Kenya at the beginning of a planned Commonwealth tour when they received the shocking news that King George VI had died. They quickly boarded a plane to return to the United Kingdom, landing at London Airport on February 6.
![Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, leaving their BOAC airliner as they return from Kenya following the death of King George VI and Elizabeth's accession to the throne, London, February 7th 1952](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2022-0206-01-elizabeth03-1.jpg?resize=1200%2C1844&ssl=1)
The new Queen Elizabeth II stepped on to British soil for the first time wearing a black coat and hat. On her lapel, a diamond brooch in the shape of a flower sparkled against the dark background.
![The Flame Lily Brooch](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/1947-0421-birthday08.jpg?resize=1200%2C1656&ssl=1)
To be more specific, the brooch was in the shape of a flame lily. The diamond and platinum jewel had been one of Elizabeth’s 21st birthday gifts, presented to her by the people of Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) during the royal family’s tour of southern Africa in 1947.
![Picture taken on February 7, 1952 showing the Queen Elizabeth II at London](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2022-0206-01-elizabeth02-1.jpg?resize=1200%2C1764&ssl=1)
In a flash, the new monarch was photographed wearing the jewel, and the brooch became iconic—a reminder of both the poise she exhibited and the sorrow lurking just beneath.
![Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Beaufort walking past crowds of people as they make their way to watch the Olympic Horse Trials at Badminton, England, April 23rd 1952](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2022-0206-01-elizabeth12.jpg?resize=1200%2C1664&ssl=1)
The brooch had always been one of Princess Elizabeth’s favorites, and she wore it often during the mourning period that followed. Here, she sports the brooch during the Olympic Horse Trials at Badminton a few weeks later.
![Queen Elizabeth II is saluted by the crew as she leaves her Viking airplane of the King's Flight, London Airport, June 3rd 1952](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2022-0206-01-elizabeth13.jpg?resize=1200%2C1623&ssl=1)
And here, she wears the brooch as she arrives at London Airport again in June 1952.
![Britain's Queen Elizabeth II visits the 2019 RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London on May 20, 2019](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2022-0206-01-elizabeth14.jpg?resize=1200%2C1517&ssl=1)
Indeed, she wore the brooch regularly for the rest of her long life. Here, she makes another memorable appearance in the brooch at the Chelsea Flower Show in the spring of 2019.
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