Queen Camilla Wears the Late Queen’s Sapphires and Diamonds to Celebrate Women of the World

On Tuesday, Queen Camilla brought out another of Queen Elizabeth II’s royal brooches for an appropriate occasion: a reception celebrating International Women’s Day.

Queen Camilla, as president of the Women of the World Foundation, was joined by the Duchess of Gloucester as she hosted the International Women’s Day reception at St. James’s Palace, welcoming a whole range of prominent guests. Here, Camilla greets the television and radio presenter Angellica Bell, Ted Lasso actress Hannah Waddingham, and model Penny Lancaster during the event.

The reception was also a celebration of the fifteenth anniversary of Women of the World, which is a a global alliance of partners working together to drive an equal and inclusive future for women, girls, and non-binary people. Here, Queen Camilla and the Duchess of Gloucester pose for a group portrait with WOW founder Jude Kelly and numerous other guests, including Dame Helen Mirren, Miriam Margolyes, Cherie Blair, and WOW board member Sandi Toksvig.

Camilla also delivered remarks during the reception. “To every survivor of every kind of violence, many of whom have not been able to tell their stories or who have not been believed, please know that you are not alone. We stand with you and alongside you, today and every day, in solidarity, sorrow and sympathy,” she said, adding, “Every woman has a story. And these stories must be told. Because when we live in a culture of silence, we empower violence against women and girls. It is for this reason that, for 15 years, WOW has been sharing women’s experiences through their festivals, inspiring thousands of people across six continents to take action.”

For the reception, Camilla wore a favorite navy and white dress with several important pieces of jewelry, including the gold necklace engraved with the initials of her grandchildren.

Her earrings are sapphire and diamond tassels from Fabergé, part of the brand’s Imperial collection. The earrings have become favorites of Camilla’s in recent months.

She also wore a trio of pins: a badge in the shape of the WOW logo, a square pin that reads “Shame Must Change Sides,” and a small brooch in the shape of an insect. The little sapphire and diamond brooch comes from the collection of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Royal jewelry historian Leslie Field describes it as “a cabochon sapphire bumblebee with diamond wings.”

The “Shame Must Change Sides” pin first appeared on Camilla last month when she welcomed Gisèle Pelicot to Clarence House for a private audience. Pelicot became internationally recognized for her courage during the trial of her former husband, who abused her for many years. She recently wrote a memoir called A Hymn to Life: Shame Has to Change Sides. Queen Camilla, who wrote a letter of support to Pelicot during the trial, has said that the memoir left her “speechless.”

Before we wrap up today, a quick look at the jewelry worn by the Duchess of Gloucester for the reception. She paired a favorite strand of silvery black pearls with an enamel pendant decorated with Queen Victoria’s imperial cypher. She has worn the pendant often over the years, and in 2024, she memorably loaned it to her younger daughter, Lady Rose.