The Queen’s hats, almost always Philip Treacy, are wide-brimmed as well, but turned up at one side, making for a photo-friendly image.
Jewellery is important at these ceremonial occasions, and Her Majesty chose one of the Royal family’s most historic brooches to complete her ensemble. The Cullinan V brooch features an 18.8 carat heart-shaped diamond at its centre.
It was one of nine major diamonds cut from the famous 3000-carat Cullinan stone mined in South Africa in 1905. The original stone had been presented to King Edward VII, but it was his daughter-in-law, Queen Mary, who chose how this diamond would be set.
The brooch was a favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth II throughout her life (as was the “Granny’s Chips” brooch, which featured the Cullinan III and IV diamonds). She wore it on many occasions but perhaps most memorably in the Paddington Bear sketch which she filmed at Buckingham Palace shortly before she died. The brooch was set into Queen Camilla’s crown for the Coronation in 2023 and since then she has reverted to wearing it as a brooch.
Cullinan I is on the British Royal Sceptre and Cullinan II on the Imperial Crown of Great Britain.
That she chose such a meaningful piece of jewellery lends gravitas to the occasion. It acknowledges the depth of history between the two countries, and the importance of their continued alliance.
Tonight, there will be more diamonds when President Trump and the First Lady host a State dinner in honour of the King and Queen’s visit. Keep your sunglasses at the ready, this is going to be dazzling.