Queen Camilla Brings a Sugarloaf Sapphire to the Royal Maundy Service

The King and Queen headed to North Wales today for the celebration of the annual Royal Maundy service, and Queen Camilla wore a fascinating sapphire and diamond brooch for the occasion.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla headed to St. Asaph Cathedral in Denbighshire for this year’s Royal Maundy service. The Royal Maundy service, held on the Thursday before Easter, is a part of Holy Week. It commemorates Christ’s Last Supper, and it takes its name, “Maundy,” from the commandment, or mandatum, delivered by Jesus at that meal: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”

During the service, the King distributes symbolic alms in the form of small purses of Maundy money to a congregation of specially-invited guests at the service. Because King Charles is 77 this year, 77 men and 77 women were invited to receive Maundy money in recognition for their service to their churches and their communities. The coins are minted specially for the occasion and handed out in small white and red purses. Here, Charles and Camilla pose for an official picture after the service.

Queen Camilla wore blue this year, opting for a navy coat with elaborate embroidery representing leaves and berries. She wore a coordinating hat with a light blue and ivory ribbon band.

Her jewels were a mix of old favorites and head-scratchers. She brought along her favorite diamond floral and pearl drop earrings, peeking out as usual from beneath her hair. But she also wore a brooch that I don’t recall seeing on her, or any other royal lady, on any previous occasion. (As always, please let me know in the comments if I’m misremembering!)

Here’s a closer look at the brooch, which is made of yellow gold and set with diamonds surrounding a large sugarloaf sapphire. The design element around the sapphire resembles a lyre, but the entire piece’s shape makes me think of a mitre worn by a bishop.

Here’s one more look at the sapphire and diamond brooch on Queen Camilla’s coat earlier today during the service. What do you think? Is this a new piece to the royal vaults, or just new to Camilla? And what do you think it’s meant to represent?