Camilla, Queen Consort attends a State Banquet at Schloss Bellevue, hosted by the President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife

Queen Consort Camilla surprises in late Queen's glittering diamond wedding gift

The City of London necklace was a deeply personal piece in the late monarch's collection

Senior Lifestyle & Fashion Writer
March 30, 2023

Queen Consort Camilla stepped out on Wednesday evening beside King Charles to attend a state banquet at Bellevue Palace, in honour of their visit to Germany. 

A vision in a midnight-hued ensemble, Camilla looked immaculate in a show-stopping Bruce Oldfield gown adorned with rippling silver detailing. All eyes were on Her Majesty's accessories, of which she chose the Boucheron diamond Tiara and a glittering fringed diamond necklace. See more of the royal's spellbinding arrival in the clip below...

WATCH: Queen Consort Camilla charms in stunning tiara at German state banquet

The 75-year-old royal was wearing the City of London Fringe necklace, a former favourite in Queen Elizabeth II's archive of diamonds, and one that held a deeply personal value to the late monarch. 

The necklace dates back to the 19th century, crafted from diamonds set in gold and silver clasps and threaded on a delicate silk chain. 

LATEST: Is Princess Charlotte weeks away from her first tiara moment?

Queen Consort Camilla wore the City of London Fringe Necklace in Germany

The City of London gifted the breathtaking necklace as a wedding present for a then-Princess Elizabeth, in honour of her nuptials to Prince Phillip. The Queen wore the sentimental gift on several occasions throughout her reign; a symbol of her enduring love for the Duke of Edinburgh and a reminder of her wedding day. 

The Queen often paired the necklace with other pieces of gala jewellery set with diamonds, including Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara and Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik. 

Queen Consort Camilla looked breathtaking beside King Charles in Germany

It's not known whether the late monarch gifted the necklace to her daughter-in-law upon her death, or if the jaw-dropping jewels were lent to Camilla. Regardless, the choice to wear such a poignant set of accessories is a touching nod to Her Majesty and Camilla's crowning as Queen Consort. 

Camilla's ever-growing collection of royal jewels includes many of the late Queen Elizabeth II's heirlooms. It seems the royal continues to pay tribute to the late monarch through her symbolic choices of jewellery. 

Queen Elizabeth II wore the City of London necklace to a state dinner in Jamaica in 2002

Back in September, shortly following Queen Elizabeth's death, Camilla donned a turquoise shamrock pin set in diamond-encrusted leaves. The brooch, which has been in Camilla's archive for several years, also matches the description of a Persian turquoise and diamond brooch listed among the Queen’s wedding gifts from 1947.

The Queen's delicate accessory is understood to be a gift from the Dowager Duchess of Portland. It's not known whether Her Majesty passed on the gift to Camilla, or loaned it to her for poignant engagements.

RELATED: Princess of Wales to inherit the Queen's £66.3 million wedding gift?

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