This match-up is a contest between two of Queen Mary’s wedding gifts…

Queen Mary’s Richmond Brooch vs. Queen Mary’s Turquoise Brooch

Queen Mary’s Richmond Brooch

This diamond and pearl brooch was given to Queen Mary as a wedding present in 1893 by the town of Richmond, where she spent much of her childhood. The brooch, made by Hunt and Roskell, can be worn with or without a pearl pendant drop. The Queen inherited it in 1953, and she’s worn it occasionally in the decades since. Her most prominent recent appearance in the brooch was the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in May 2018.

Queen Mary’s Turquoise Brooch

This Victorian brooch was a wedding gift from King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra to Queen Mary in 1893. The diamond and turquoise brooch was later inherited by the present Queen, though she only began wearing it frequently in recent years. She most famously wore it for a public broadcast to the nation in the spring of 2020.

More brooches coming your way this afternoon!

Will it be the delicate flower or the modern pearl piece?

The Flame Lily Brooch vs. The Pearl Triangle Brooch

The Flame Lily Brooch

This diamond lily brooch, presented to the Queen on behalf of the children of Zimbabwe, made history when she wore it for her arrival back in London immediately following her accession to the throne in 1952. In more recent years, the brooch has remained a royal favorite, appearing often at spring occasions like the Chelsea Flower Show and Royal Ascot.

The Pearl Triangle Brooch

This elegant brooch was described by Leslie Field as “an unusual long narrow diamond triangle with two pearls and a canary yellow diamond set in the middle.” The Queen has worn it frequently for a variety of occasions and with a rainbow of colors during her reign, but the most famous appearance of the brooch will probably always be her walkabout outside St. James’s Palace on the day before the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales.

More brooches tomorrow — and a sparkling necklace later tonight!

This morning’s contest pairs up two brooches made to celebrate royal jubilees…

Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Brooch vs. The Sapphire Jubilee Snowflake Brooch

Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Brooch

As the brooch’s name suggests, it was given to Queen Victoria in 1897 by the members of her royal household to mark her Diamond Jubilee. Victoria later designated the brooch, which was made by Garrard, as an heirloom of the crown. The Queen Mother especially treasured the brooch, wearing it until her death in 2002. The Queen has worn it occasionally since, including a memorable bejeweled appearance in Canada in 2010.

The Sapphire Jubilee Snowflake Brooch

This snowflake-inspired brooch, made by Canadian firm Hillberg and Berk, is set with diamonds and rare sapphires from Baffin Island. Governor-General David Johnson presented the brooch to the Queen to mark her Sapphire Jubilee in 2017. The Queen has reached for the brooch often since she received it, wearing it for events like garden parties, church services, and even Royal Ascot.

Stay tuned for more brooches this afternoon!