Queen Camilla married contemporary royal style with historic reverence in an Anna Valentine coat and diamond and sapphire brooch for the official state visit and welcome ceremony for German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender on Wednesday in London and Windsor, England.
For the official royal engagement, the U.K.’s queen consort wore a sapphire Anna Valentine coat, featuring an asymmetrical front placket with a scalloped design, which also carried over to the sleeves of the garment.
Queen Camilla and King Charles III prepare to receive German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender at Datchet Road in Windsor, England.
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Queen Camilla coordinated her coat with a hat designed by Philip Treacy. The hat was designed with sinuous lines and featured feathery embellishments to one side, continuing the asymmetrical aesthetic design of the British royal family member’s look.
The queen consort broke up her monochrome blue look with a pair of Eliot Zed black suede boots. She also carried a bag by Paris-based brand Atelier Renard. The entire look centered on Queen Camilla’s historic accessory: Prince Albert’s sapphire and diamond brooch.
Queen Camilla at the ceremonial welcome at the start of the State Visit to the U.K. of the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Dec. 3 in Windsor, England.
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The brooch dates back to the 19th century and was, according to The Court Jeweller, a gift from the German-born Prince Albert to Queen Victoria. The jewelry piece reportedly served as a wedding present and was worn by the aforementioned monarch on her wedding day to Prince Albert.
The brooch remained a treasured piece of the British royal family vault and was subsequently passed down to the late Queen Elizabeth II, who also wore the brooch for royal engagements, often coordinating her wardrobe to accent the brooch.
Elke Büdenbender, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s wife, and Queen Camilla attend the ceremonial welcome at the start of the State Visit to the U.K. of the on Dec. 3 in Windsor, England.
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Like many pieces from Queen Elizabeth II’s collection, the brooch is now worn by Queen Camilla for high-profile royal engagements. Given the piece’s connection to Germany, the brooch served as a symbolic motif for the queen consort’s attire — the German president and first lady’s visit to the U.K. marks the country’s first state visit in 27 years.