Queen Elizabeth's Brooches Are More Than Just Pretty Jewels—and Their Secret Meanings Are Fascinating

The Queen received the Scarab Brooch as a personal gift from her husband, Prince Philip, in 1996. Because of this, it carried a special meaning when she wore the gold, ruby, and diamond piece for her and Philip's official platinum anniversary portrait.

The Prince Albert Brooch carries a legacy dating back to Queen Victoria's reign. The gold-set sapphire and diamond piece was given to Victoria by her husband-to-be, Prince Albert, on the day before their nuptials; she then decided to wear it on her wedding gown.

In part because of its historical significance, the Court Jeweller's Ella Kay notes, Victoria designated the brooch as an heirloom of the crown in her will—meaning that each subsequent reigning monarch would inherit it. All four Queens and Queen Consorts since have worn it. The Queen wears this piece relatively often—and every time she does, in-the-know royal watchers are reminded of this continuity.

Queen Elizabeth commissioned this brooch as a 100th birthday present for the Queen Mother, and it is framed by 100 diamonds—hence the "centenary" in its name. Collins and Sons made the piece, which features a hand-painted Queen Elizabeth Grandiflora Rose (a flower bred for the Queen's 1953 coronation) on rock crystal.

The Queen wore this brooch for her 2002 Christmas broadcast, which took place nine months after her mother's death, and included a special memorial message for the Queen Mother, per Ella Kay.

The Queen's parents gave her the Flower Basket Brooch in 1948 to celebrate the birth of her first child and heir, Prince Charles. She subsequently wore it in her first official portrait with the newborn. Decades later, she wore the piece to the christening of Charles's first grandchild, Prince George; she also chose it for that year's Christmas address, underscoring the continuing line of succession.

This New Zealand Silver Fern Brooch was given to the Queen by the Auckland mayor's wife, Lady Allum, back in the 1950s. It was crafted as a Christmas present from "the women of Auckland," and is designed in the shape of a fern, one of New Zealand's emblems.

To this day, the Queen—and sometimes other senior royals—will wear this piece when visiting New Zealand or attending events with a tie to the country.

Queen Elizabeth actually holds another, curious title: the Duke of Lancaster. Ever since 1399, the monarch has held this title—and regardless of the current reigning monarch's gender, they're always known as the Duke of Lancaster, not the Duchess. Today, the Duchy serves as a key source of income for the royal family.

This brooch mimics the Duchy's coat of arms, and the Queen is known to wear it while visiting Lancaster.

Like the New Zealand Silver Fern Brooch, which the Queen wears for New Zealand-centric occasions, the Maple Leaf Brooch helps the monarch subtly pay tribute to Canada.

The diamond, platinum-set piece was first made for the Queen Mother as a gift from King George VI ahead of their state visit to Canada, per Ella Kay. Ever since, the Queen, the Duchess of Cambridge, and the Duchess of Cornwall have been pictured wearing it at Canadian events.

The Braemar Royal Highland Society gave this feather-inspired piece to the Queen in 2002 in celebration of her Golden Jubilee. It mimics the feather of an eagle, one of Scotland's native birds, according to Ella Kay.

Ever since receiving the brooch, the Queen has often worn it to the Braemar Gathering, a storied highland games competition.

The Order of Liberation gave this piece to the Queen in 1990, to mark the 50th anniversary of Charles de Gaulle's famous Appeal of 18 June, delivered on June 18, 1940 (also the day Winston Churchill gave his "Finest Hour" speech).

The Queen rarely wears the Coral Rose Brooch, but when she does, it's often for a French event. Memorably, she chose it during a 2004 trip to Paris, which marked the centenary of the Entente Cordiale, a series of agreements that improved foreign relations between France and the U.K.

Famously, one of the Queen's favorite events is the Chelsea Flower Show, put on every year by the Royal Horticultural Society. The RHS bestowed this piece on the Queen, their royal patron, to mark her Diamond Jubilee. Its shape is taken from that of the Iris Unguicularis, a flower associated with the show.

The Queen often wears the Chelsea Irish Brooch when visiting the Show.