Camilla keeps the Queen close to her heart: Queen Consort wears diamond and turquoise shamrock brooch that was a ‘wedding gift to the late monarch’ as she joins the King to receive Her Majesty’s coffin in London
- Senior royals went to Buckingham Palace this evening to receive Queen’s coffin
- Queen Consort Camilla was snapped en route wearing a shamrock brooch
- The jewellery may have been a wedding gift to Queen Elizabeth II in 1947
- Full coverage: Click here to see all our coverage of the Queen’s passing
The Queen Consort was photographed making a statement with her jewellery this evening, as she wore a brooch with special significance to receive Her Majesty’s coffin at Buckingham Palace.
Earlier today, the Queen’s coffin left St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, and was flown to RAF Northolt, before being driven to the palace, where it will spend a night.
Senior members of the Firm, including the King and Queen Consort, were seen making their way towards the palace.
The royal, who was dressed in traditional mourning black, made a sentimental choice with her jewellery, opting to wear a diamond and turquoise shamrock brooch, which is thought to have special ties to the late monarch.
It boasts a shamrock design, with three diamond leaves. Persian turquoise gems are set into the centre of each of the leaves.
King Charles (right) and Queen Consort Camilla arriving at Buckingham Palace this evening. Camilla’s shamrock brooch is pinned to her lapel
The royal couple waved at crowds as they made their way to the palace, to receive the Queen’s coffin
While the exact history of the brooch is unknown, it is thought it could have been a wedding gift to the Queen from the Dowager Duchess of Portland
While the provenance of the shamrock does not appear to be confirmed, a brooch matching its description appears on Queen Elizabeth’s list wedding gifts.
The brooch on the list was given to the royal by the Dowager Duchess of Portland.
Camilla was seen sporting the brooch earlier today, as she visited Belfast with King Charles, as part of the couple’s tour of the four nations ahead of the Queen’s funeral next week.
Other notable occasions she’s been seen wearing the piece include a previous Northern Ireland tour in March, and for the 2014 funeral of the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire.
She chose to wear the brooch again tonight as she joined the King, the Queen Consort, Princes William and Harry and their wives Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle and other royals at Buckingham Palace, for the Queen’s arrival.
The Prince and Princess of Wales (pictured) en route to Buckingham Palace to join other senior royals and receive the coffin of the Queen, which was flown from Edinburgh today
The cortege carrying the coffin of the late Queen Elizabeth II heading towards Buckingham Palace
The car carrying Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex driving towards Buckingham Palace
Mourners cheered and clapped in the rain as the new state hearse travelled down Constitution Hill and around the Queen Victoria Memorial as it slowed, then drove through the gates of the palace and through the central arch into the quadrangle.
Outriders stopped with their heads bowed at the end of the journey, while a police officer at the gate saluted.
People cheered ‘hip hip hooray’ after the coffin drove under the arch. Many lining the street put down their umbrellas as a sign of respect while some could be seen wiping tears from their eyes, while phone camera lights lit up the crowds.
Crowds gather outside Buckingham Palace, waiting to catch a glimpse of the Queen’s coffin
The state hearse carries the Queen’s coffin through the gates of the palace as the crowd erupted in cheers and applause
Upon arriving at the Grand Entrance of the palace, a guard of honour was formed by the King’s Guard.
Her Majesty was received by all her children and grandchildren, including the King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Shortly after witnessing the arrival of the coffin, Charles and Camilla left Buckingham Palace.
The Queen will stay in the Bow Room in the palace overnight before she is transported to the Palace of Westminster, where she will lie in state until Monday, September 19 – the day of her state funeral at Westminster Abbey and burial at St George’s Chapel in Windsor.
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