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Here’s why some fans are so upset over a piece of jewelry Queen Camilla has been spotted wearing.
One of Queen Camilla‘s favorite accessories to wear is a brooch, and she has a stunning collection at her disposal. But a few years back, Camilla showed off one that looked familiar and when royal watchers were able to place where they had seen it before, many were shocked.
The brooch was once a necklace and it was worn by Princess Diana. According to The Sun, Camilla took an emerald and diamond necklace the late royal was photographed wearing at the Vienna Burgh Theatre in April 1986 and made it into a brooch.
The jewelry piece is actually a royal family heirloom that was passed down to Diana by the Queen Mother in 1981 when she married then-Prince Charles. After the princess’s death, it was returned to the royal vault. So while it didn’t technically belong to Diana, Camilla drew ire for altering something people remember seeing on the king’s first wife.
Here’s what royal fans upset about the change had to say about it, and how much the stunning piece is worth today.
Fans say what Camilla did to Diana’s necklace was in ‘poor taste’
Ever since Queen Camilla was spotted wearing the accessory, fans have been taking to social media to share why they don’t think it’s right.
One user opined that it’s in “poor taste” while another fumed, “Has she no shame?”
Another person admitted they were uncomfortable seeing Camilla wearing the piece, writing: “Not really too comfortable with that … to be honest!!”
Others were a little more harsh, using adjectives to describe what the queen did as “disgusting” and “vile,” while one demanded to know: “Why is this mistress even allowed to touch Diana’s stuff?!”
How much the brooch is worth now
The fine jewelry and diamond experts at Steven Stone took a closer look at what is now a brooch to estimate how much it’s worth.
Maxwell Stone told Showbiz Cheat Sheet: “This remarkable brooch features approximately four carats of white diamonds, arranged in 18 individual stones, and is crowned by a breathtaking three-carat cabochon-cut green emerald pendant. Once worn as a necklace by Princess Diana, the piece carries not only aesthetic brilliance but deep royal significance.
“What makes it particularly meaningful is its symbolic connection to King Charles — shared by both Diana and Queen Camilla. At its heart are three diamond-encrusted ostrich feathers, the emblem of the Prince of Wales, a title Charles held before ascending the throne.”
Stone added: “The jewel’s history stretches back to 1863, when it originally belonged to Queen Alexandra. It later passed through royal hands, gifted by the Queen Mother to Princess Diana upon her marriage in 1981. It’s also been worn by Kate Middleton.
“The transformation of the necklace into a brooch likely has minimal impact on its value — especially if the redesign was recent and expertly executed. On today’s market, it could be valued at around £100,000, if not more had it remained in its original necklace form.”
