The Hidden Meaning Behind the Brooch & Necklace Queen Elizabeth Chose for Her Televised Address

Queen Elizabeth recently made a special public address about the coronavirus pandemic. While we were initially distracted by the fact that it was streamed by more than 24 million people (yes, you read that right), it didn’t take long for us to notice that the 93-year-old monarch included two subtle tributes to the royal family.

Queen Elizabeth’s televised speech was recorded at Windsor Castle. In the video, the royal wore a bright green dress, her signature three-strand pearl necklace and—drumroll, please—a brooch that belonged to her grandmother, Queen Mary.

As Town & Country points out, Queen Mary originally received the brooch on her wedding day in 1893. The accessory—which features a turquoise stone surrounded by a sea of diamonds—was a gift from King George V.

Many believe Queen Elizabeth wore the brooch to symbolically link herself to her grandmother, since it represents love, protection and “enhancing leadership powers,” according to Harper’s Bazaar Australia. Queen Mary also supported the king during World War I, which means the accessory likely signifies a larger message of global unification.

To top it off, Queen Elizabeth paired the brooch with a three-strand pearl necklace, which was a gift from her grandfather, King George V. She’s worn the accessory in several televised appearances—including the Gulf War address in 1991 and the Diamond Jubilee in 2012—ultimately making it a significant piece in her jewelry collection.

“Together we are tackling this disease, and I want to reassure you that if we remain united and resolute, then we will overcome it,” Queen Elizabeth said in the speech. “We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return. We will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.”

Timeless jewelry FTW.

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