The special meaning behind Princess Charlotte's funeral brooch
Today, Princess Charlotte, the daughter of William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales, was the youngest royal present at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. The seven-year-old royal attended with her older brother Prince George, both wearing black mourning attire.
The young children accompanied their mother and step-grandmother, Kate and Camilla, as well as Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, who all wore symbolic nods to the late Queen.
Princess Charlotte was no exception, wearing her first brooch publicly. It was a sweet and poignant tribute to her great-grandmother – who was affectionately known as 'Gan-Gan'. Pinned to her coat was a diamond horseshoe brooch, a gift given to her by her late great-grandmother and a loving memento to her love of horses.
It is a love shared by her great-granddaughter; Kate was quoted in 2018 as saying that her only daughter had inherited the Queen's passion for horses.
It is an interest that has been taken up by so many members of her family. The Queen's daughter, Princess Anne, was a keen equestrian, who became the first royal to ever compete in the Olympics. Her daughter, Zara Philips, followed in her footsteps, and also had a prestigious equestrian career.
The Queen's granddaughter Lady Louise Windsor is another equine fan. She too honoured her grandmother by wearing a necklace featuring a silhouette of a horse's head to both the vigil at Westminster Hall and the Queen's funeral.
It is a fitting tribute to a woman who spent a lifetime wearing pieces to convey meaning and symbolism. Her Majety's own extensive collection was put to good use throughout her life. She would often wear national codes to honour the countries she was visiting, or as a nod to foreign dignitaries; like her famous Maple Leaf brooch, a gift from the people of Canada. But she also wore personal brooches to special occasions; as small tokens of memory. To her husband's funeral, she wore her Richmond Brooch – a wedding gift given to her grandmother, Queen Mary – and, to his memorial, a ruby scarab brooch that was given to her by her beloved husband. There is no doubt that Her Majesty would have approved her great-granddaughter's sartorial choice today.
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