Camilla’s subtle tribute to the late queen: Royal wears her mother-in-law’s sapphire brooch as she welcomes South Korean president and first lady to Britain

Queen Camilla today paid a heartwarming tribute to the late queen as she welcomed the South Korean president to Britain on a state visit.

The royal, 76, chose to wear Queen Elizabeth II’s Russian Sapphire Cluster Brooch for the special occasion and pin it to her navy blue Anna Valentine coat.

Camilla added a feather-detailed hat from Philip Treacy, made in a deep blue shade, along with black knee-high suede boots and black leather gloves.

The exquisite design of the brooch, featuring intricate gold filigree among a vibrant sapphire and dazzling diamonds, was one of the jewels Elizabeth inherited from Queen Mary.

It was a favorite of the late Queen, who wore it a number of times over the years, including during a meeting with Pope Francis in Vatican City in 2014.

The Russian Sapphire Cluster Brooch was originally owned by Romanov Empress Marie Feodorovna – consort of Tsar Alexander III and mother of Tsar Nicholas II.

Marie was also the sister of Queen Alexandra, wife of King Edward VII of the United Kingdom.

In 1934, Queen Mary, Alexandra’s daughter-in-law, reportedly purchased the brooch from Marie Feodorovna’s daughters.

The sentimental design bears a resemblance to the cluster brooch of diamonds and sapphires presented by Prince Albert to Queen Victoria. However, it is distinguished by opulent gold filigree details among the vibrant sapphire and sparkling diamonds.

Before Queen Elizabeth acquired the striking brooch, it was frequently worn by her mother.

The Queen Mother presented the play at numerous daytime events, such as palace garden parties and the Epsom Derby, throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

In 1961, she wore the brooch when she met her newest grandson, Princess Margaret’s first child, Viscount Linley.

The brooch also proved suitable for less formal evening occasions, including a performance of Shaw’s You Never Can Tell at the Theater Royal in Windsor in 1962.

That evening, the Queen Mother paired the brooch with the diamond and sapphire fringe earrings, most recently worn by Catherine, Princess of Wales.

Additionally, she wore it for important personal milestones, such as her birthday gathering at Clarence House on her 78th birthday in 1978.

After the death of the Queen Mother in 2002, the brooch was returned to the collection of Queen Elizabeth II. However, it took more than a decade for her to wear it, and it debuted during a visit to the Vatican in April 2014.

In 2015, Queen Elizabeth displayed the brooch at the Chinese State Banquet at Buckingham Palace and used it to fasten the sash of the Order of the Garter.

She complemented the statement piece with the Belgian Sapphire Tiara and jewels from the King George VI Sapphire Suite.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla were waiting to greet the Prince and Princess of Wales at the Royal Pavilion as they officially welcomed the President of South Korea to Britain today.

Kate Middleton, 41, looked chic in a £3,000 red Catherine Walker cape coat, accessorised with Gianvito Rossi pumps and a matching Jane Taylor hat.

The princess wore her hair in a tight bun, which showed off Princess Diana’s oval sapphire and diamond earrings.

Kate wore a similar coat dress to her Christmas Carol concert at Westminster Abbey in 2021. She wore a black version of the same dress to Prince Philip’s funeral.

This evening they will host a glittering state banquet in his honor at Buckingham Palace.

Charles and Camilla will host the couple for the first upcoming state visit since the king’s coronation and the second of his reign.

The Prince and Princess of Wales played a key role in greeting the President and First Lady at their hotel this morning.

William and Kate traveled with Mr Yoon and Ms Kim to the ceremonial welcome at the Horse Guards Parade in central London, where the King and Queen were waiting.

A guard of honor formed by F Company Scots Guards gave a royal salute amid traditional pomp and ceremony, and the King and Mr Yoon inspected the troops on the parade ground.

Charles, Camilla, William and Kate and their guests then travel in a carriage procession through The Mall to the Palace, before a private lunch and a visit to the Royal Collection exhibitions in the Picture Gallery.

Later, Mr Yoon will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey and deliver a speech at the Royal Gallery at the Palace of Westminster to members of both Houses of Parliament.

This evening, 170 guests will gather for the banquet, usually a white tie and tiara affair, in the opulent Palace Ballroom.

The King and Queen are expected to be joined by William, Kate and other members of the royal family, while Charles and Mr Yoon will deliver speeches.

Foreign secretaries are also usually invited, meaning Chipping Norton’s newly appointed Lord Cameron is likely to return to dinner at the royal residence, harking back to his days as prime minister.

On Wednesday, Yoon will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Downing Street and will also meet Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer.

The state visit follows the first upcoming government visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa last autumn.