Welsh Guards Leek Brooch

Description

The Princess of Wales, Catherine, wore Welsh Guards Leek Brooch in March 2023 at the Welsh Guards’ Parade. Initially, I thought the brooch is exactly the same one that Queen Elizabeth II received but from a closer inspection, it turns out to be a different one.

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Queen Elizabeth II was presented with the Diamond Leek Brooch by the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards in 1960. The guardsmen contributed 12c and a half pence to the cost of the brooch. The brooch is identical to the shape of the leek that features on the cap of the regiment and the national emblem of Wales. The Queen wore it for the first time in 1965 at the same parade.

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The Royal Family Collection has two more Leek brooches – presented to Lady Diana Spencer and to Queen Camilla – both were the Princess of Wales after marrying Prince Charles in 1981 and 2005 respectively.

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Diana’s brooch was set in white gold with diamonds while Camilla’s brooch was made of gold featuring diamonds.

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Catherine’s brooch has distinctive fringes at the bottom of the brooch which was part of the original design of the leek brooch and is not present in the Queen’s brooch. Also the leaves of the brooch also have slight differences that do not match any of the old three brooches.

The Princess of Wales, Catherine, wore Welsh Guards Leek Brooch in March 2023 at the Welsh Guards' Parade.
WPA Pool//David Cannon//Max Mumby//Samir Hussein

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