The Princess of Wales honoured her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, by wearing the Queen Alexandra Three Feathers Brooch, a diamond and emerald heirloom valued at £560,000, as she welcomed the Sultan of Oman to Windsor on Tuesday, October 20.
Catherine, 44, joined King Charles, Queen Camilla and Prince William for the historic state visit, wearing the brooch on her green Alexander McQueen coat. The jewel, previously worn by Diana during her time as Princess of Wales, has a history spanning more than 160 years.
A Royal Heirloom with Deep History
The brooch dates back to 1863, when it was presented to Princess Alexandra of Denmark as a wedding gift upon her marriage to the future King Edward VII. Its design features the Prince of Wales's three-feather emblem, surrounded by diamonds and emeralds, with a detachable emerald drop.
After being worn by the Queen Mother, the brooch became closely associated with Diana, who frequently showcased it. Following Diana's death in 1997, the accessory returned to the royal collection and later entered Catherine's jewellery box after she inherited the Princess of Wales title in September 2022.
First Public Appearance and Value
Catherine first publicly wore the brooch in November 2022, during the state visit of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The jewel was reportedly valued at £560,000 in 2023, though no updated valuation has been confirmed.
On the Royally Obsessed podcast, commentator Rachel Bowie discussed the brooch's lineage, saying: "This was passed down through many generations - most recently, in our lifetimes, the Queen Mother had it; ultimately, it went to Diana, then back to the Queen in 1997 when Diana passed away."
Speculation and Significance
Bowie also addressed reports that King Charles had wanted Queen Camilla to inherit the jewel after their marriage, despite Camilla choosing not to publicly use the Princess of Wales title. Discussing its value, Bowie added: "It has a value of $680,000 (£560,000) wild."
The brooch's current worth has not been independently established, but its craftsmanship and royal provenance make it a significant piece. Catherine's choice to wear it continues her pattern of honouring Diana's legacy while establishing her own role as future Queen.
