New jewels please: How the royals have stolen the show at Wimbledon with their sparkler choices – from Princess Margaret’s diamond brooch to Kate’s gold charm earrings
It was June 1919, just seven months on from the end of the First World War.
And Queen Mary, attending what was the first Wimbledon Championships in four years, showed that things were on the up with her choice of jewels.
She arrived to present the trophies alongside her husband King George V wearing an enormous brooch pinned at her neckline and a large pendant that hung from a chain and rested on her chest.
The brooch was a large oval-shaped pink topaz, while the pendant was the same stone but cushion-shaped.
More than 30 years later, in 1950, Mary watched the tennis wearing pearl strands and a bejewelled floral brooch pinned to her dress at the throat – before presenting the Venus Rosewatcher Dish to women’s singles winner Louise Brough.
In 1957, her granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II was wearing a three-strand pearl necklace given to her by her late father King George VI – along with matching earrings and a delicate diamond floral brooch – when she presented the salver to winner Alethea Gibson.
Like Queen Mary’s, those jewels were impressive – but the sight of the Queen wearing them did not match her sister Princess Margaret‘s outing in 1965, when she was spotted in the royal box with sunglasses on, cigarette in hand and a fabulous diamond brooch pinned to her shoulder.
When Princess Diana watched proceedings at Wimbledon in 1981 – just days before her wedding to Prince Charles – she showed off her diamond and sapphire engagement ring, along with a single strand pearl necklace, a Patek Philippe gold watch and a gold bracelet.
As for Kate Middleton, the current Princess of Wales, her jewels have wowed at Wimbledon too – such as the Brora gold charm earrings she displayed in 2016.
It was June 1919, just seven months on from the end of the First World War. And Queen Mary, attending what was the first Wimbledon Championships in four years, showed that things were on the up with her choice of jewels. She arrived to present the trophies alongside her husband King George V wearing an enormous brooch pinned at her neckline and a large pendant that hung from a chain and rested on her chest
In 1965, Princess Margaret was spotted in the royal box with sunglasses on, cigarette in hand and a fabulous diamond brooch pinned to her shoulder
Queen Mary gave the pieces she wore in 1919 to her daughter-in-law Princess Alice and they now belong to the Duchess of Gloucester.
The large topaz is often swapped into the Gloucester Honeysuckle Tiara, while the cushion-shaped pendant is in a bracelet.
In 1962, when she handed the men’s singles trophy to Rod Laver, Queen Elizabeth wore a decidedly more grand diamond brooch than her floral one from 1957, alongside her triple strand pearls.
Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Brooch was bequeathed to her following her grandmother’s death.
This spectacular piece was created and set entirely with diamonds by Garrard and bought by Queen Mary in 1932.
It became a favourite of her granddaughter, who normally wore it at gala functions alongside one of her many imposing tiaras and other formal jewels.
She also wore it at the wedding of Prince William and Kate in 2011.
Princess Margaret’s Carinthia Floral Spray Brooch – the one she wore at Wimbledon in 1965 – was presented to the Princess in 1955 to commemorate her launching of the Carinthia Steamship for the Cunard Line.
The main flower is set with a large diamond, with further diamonds set in the petals, leaves and stalks.
It is believed to date back to the 19th century, with the age clue being how the diamonds are set in silver on gold.
Nowadays, her daughter Lady Sarah Chatto wears it for formal occasions.
Kate Middleton wore gold earrings from the Scottish brand Brora to watch Andy Murray win his second Wimbledon win in 2016
When Princess Diana watched proceedings at Wimbledon in 1981 – just days before her wedding to Prince Charles – she showed off her diamond and sapphire engagement ring, along with a single strand pearl necklace, a Patek Philippe gold watch and a gold bracelet
In 1957, Queen Elizabeth II was wearing a three-strand pearl necklace given to her by her late father King George VI – along with matching earrings and a delicate diamond floral brooch – when she presented the salver to winner Alethea Gibson
In 1962, when she handed the men’s singles trophy to Rod Laver, Queen Elizabeth wore a decidedly more grand diamond brooch than her floral one from 1957, alongside her triple strand pearls. Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Brooch was bequeathed to her following her grandmother’s death
In 1977, when the Queen presented the winner’s trophy to women’s singles victor Virginia Wade, Her Late Majesty wore a pair of large pearl earrings. On her pink and white checked coat, she wore the Duchess of Cambridge’s Brooch, which had belonged to her great-great-grandmother Princess Augusta
In 1970, Princess Margaret presented the trophy in the men’s singles wearing a large diamond Maltese cross pinned between the collars of her red coat, along with several rings on three of her fingers
In 1970, Princess Margaret presented the trophy in the men’s singles wearing a large diamond Maltese cross pinned between the collars of her red coat, along with several rings on three of her fingers.
The Princess had several cross brooches, one of which – a diamond George III Maltese cross – was sold in 2006 at Christie’s for £38,400.
The day before, when the sun had been shining for the ladies’ singles final, Margaret wore a pair of diamond cluster earrings to present the salver to Australian Margaret Court.
In 1977, when the Queen presented the winner’s trophy to women’s singles victor Virginia Wade, Her Late Majesty wore a pair of large pearl earrings.
On her pink and white checked coat, she wore the Duchess of Cambridge’s Brooch, which had belonged to her great-great-grandmother Princess Augusta.
It came via her grandmother Queen Mary, who wore it at both the Queen’s christening in 1926 and King Charles’ in 1948.
The brooch, according to Hugh Robert’s in his encyclopaedic tome The Queen’s Diamonds, was made by Garrard in the mid-19th century in two parts.
The first was with a large pearl surrounded by a narrow halo of pavé-set diamonds encircled with 14 round brilliant diamonds.
The second part was a detachable pendant of diamonds and a large baroque pearl.
For her last appearance at Wimbledon in 2010, the Queen wore not only her triple strand pearl necklaces and pearl earrings, but her pearl and diamond Trefoil Brooch – one of her favourites.
If you look very carefully, you might also spot her tiny diamond hat pin. We are unlikely to see one of those again at Centre Court!
The 1980s brought about a pared down look for the royals at Wimbledon.
On July 4th 1981, days before her wedding, Lady Diana Spencer was spotted sitting in the second row behind Princess Grace of Monaco at the men’s singles final – where Bjorn Borg took on John McEnroe.
Grace wore one of her trademark Cartier watches and a Cartier bangle, with gold knots in her ears.
On July 4th 1981, days before her wedding, Lady Diana Spencer was spotted sitting in the second row behind Princess Grace of Monaco at the men’s singles final – where Bjorn Borg took on John McEnroe
In 1991, when nine-year-old Prince William accompanied her, Diana wore the same Patek Philippe watch along with a gold chain bracelet with a charm on it
In 1994 the Princess of Wales sat alongside Princess Michael of Kent to watch Pete Sampras win the championship. Princess Diana wore a bracelet and earring set of Tiffany & Co gold jewels, whilst Princess Michael’s earrings appeared to be Saturn-like discs with large pearls
Princess Michael of Kent wore the same earrings to Wimbledon last year
Diana’s gold watch and bracelet were gifts from Prince Charles on her 20th birthday four days earlier.
The Wimbledon visit was Diana’s first year in the Royal Box.
A decade later, when nine-year-old Prince William accompanied her, Diana wore the same Patek Philippe watch along with a gold chain bracelet with a charm on it.
She also wore a pair of simple pearl and gold hoop earrings and a long gold chain.
At the 1994 championships, the Princess of Wales sat alongside Princess Michael of Kent to watch Pete Sampras win the men’s singles.
This time, Diana wore a bracelet and earring set of Tiffany & Co gold jewels, whilst Princess Michael’s earrings appeared to be Saturn-like discs with large pearls in the centre.
Princess Michael wore exactly the same earrings at Wimbledon last year – some 29 years later.
The younger generation of royal ladies have kept things more simple.
Since her very first appearance, months after her marriage to Prince William in 2011,- Kate has mostly worn a simple pair of earrings – pearls, gold hoops or a coloured gemstone selection from Kiki McDonough.
We’ve not seen Meghan in the Royal Box since 2019 when, sitting alongside Kate, the Duchess of Sussex wore her beautiful diamond engagement ring and a pair of gold bar studs with turquoise inlays from LA jeweller Jennifer Meyer
For her last appearance at Wimbledon in 2010, the Queen wore not only her triple strand pearl necklaces and pearl earrings, but her pearl and diamond Trefoil Brooch – one of her favourites. Above: Meeting tennis great Serena Williams during her final visit
The Queen meeting Andy Murray and Jarkko Nieminen at Wimbledon in 2010
But in 2016 she looked to Scotland and a firm traditionally known for cashmere to provide her jewels when she watched Scot Andy Murray win his second Wimbledon title.
The Brora gold charm earrings were made of gold-plated brass hoops.
She twinned them with her Cartier watch and Garrard engagement ring.
Last year, her first as Princess of Wales, Kate added a gold and aquamarine bangle by Halcyon Days to her attire at the women’s final.
She also wore her Cassandra Goad pearl clusters – last seen at this year’s Trooping the Colour.
We’ve not seen Meghan in the Royal Box since 2019 when, sitting alongside Kate, the Duchess of Sussex wore her beautiful diamond engagement ring and a pair of gold bar studs with turquoise inlays from LA jeweller Jennifer Meyer.
