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Princess Catherine’s brooch carries a remarkable history spanning 163 years, connecting three generations of Princesses of Wales through one extraordinary royal jewel. When Catherine curtsied to Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman in the pouring rain at Windsor, many people noticed her elegant green coat. Yet the most fascinating detail was pinned to her shoulder: a diamond and emerald brooch that once belonged to Princess Alexandra of Denmark and later became associated with Princess Diana. Now, it has found its place with Catherine, and its appearance raises questions about tradition, royal identity, and the woman who wore it before her. Welcome to British Royal Family, where we uncover the stories hidden behind the monarchy’s most treasured possessions.
On October 20, Catherine welcomed the Sultan at Windsor Castle wearing a deep green coat designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, accompanied by a matching hat created by Juliet Botterill. Burton, of course, designed Catherine’s wedding dress in 2011. Fashion commentators suggested that the green outfit might have been chosen as a subtle acknowledgment of Oman’s national flag. Queen Camilla wore red, another colour featured in the Omani flag, creating a coordinated appearance for the royal welcome.
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However, it was Catherine’s brooch that truly captured the attention of royal jewellery enthusiasts. Known as the Prince of Wales’s Feathers Brooch, it features three diamond feathers rising from a coronet, surrounded by emeralds, with an emerald drop hanging beneath. The feathers represent the historic badge of the heir to the British throne, accompanied by the motto “Ich Dien,” meaning “I serve.” This was not simply a beautiful accessory. It was a piece of royal history with a story reaching back to 1863.
That year, Princess Alexandra of Denmark married Albert Edward, the eldest son of Queen Victoria and the future King Edward VII. The brooch was presented to Alexandra as a wedding gift and crafted by Garrard, the royal jewellers. Its intricate design includes brilliant-cut diamonds forming the feathers, delicate emeralds surrounding them, and a detachable emerald drop that allows the jewel to be worn in different arrangements.
Alexandra became one of Britain’s most admired royal women. Because Queen Victoria ruled for so many decades, Alexandra spent almost forty years as Princess of Wales before becoming queen in 1901. She was celebrated for her fashion sense and particularly remembered for popularising elaborate pearl chokers, which she sometimes used to conceal a small scar on her neck. Her influence extended far beyond the royal household, with women across Britain adopting elements of her distinctive style.
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For generations, the feathers brooch remained within the royal collection. Its next remarkable chapter began in 1981, when the Queen Mother presented it to Lady Diana Spencer as she prepared to marry Prince Charles. Diana was only nineteen years old and was about to become the first Princess of Wales in more than seventy years.
Diana soon made the brooch her own. Rather than always wearing it in its original form, she frequently attached it to a diamond necklace, transforming it into a striking pendant for evening occasions. This styling became part of her distinctive jewellery legacy. However, her position within the royal family changed dramatically when her divorce from Charles was finalised in 1996, bringing the loss of her Her Royal Highness title.
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Decades later, the brooch entered another chapter. Catherine first wore it publicly in 2022, the year Prince William became Prince of Wales following Queen Elizabeth II’s death. Catherine consequently assumed the title of Princess of Wales, becoming the first woman to hold it since Diana. Royal observers immediately recognised the significance of the jewel’s return.
Its history creates a remarkable pattern. Alexandra wore it as Princess of Wales, Diana inherited it in the same role, and Catherine now wears it as William’s wife. Although the palace has not officially explained Catherine’s decision to select the brooch for the Sultan’s welcome, its symbolism is difficult to overlook. It represents William’s position as heir to the throne and connects Catherine to the women who previously occupied her position.
Some commentators interpreted the choice as a quiet tribute to Diana, particularly because William played a prominent role in the state visit. Others viewed it as an expression of royal continuity. These interpretations remain speculative, since the palace has not confirmed the personal meaning behind Catherine’s jewellery selection. Reports have placed the brooch’s estimated value at approximately £560,000, although no official valuation is available.
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The brooch was not the only meaningful jewel Catherine wore that day. At the evening state banquet, she appeared in Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot tiara, another piece strongly associated with Diana. Her pale yellow gown, designed by Lebanese fashion designer Elie Saab, completed the elegant look as she sat beside the Sultan at the top table. Through these two jewels, Catherine carried a visible connection to her late mother-in-law from the rainy morning welcome to the candlelit banquet.
Other moments from the Windsor ceremony also attracted attention. King Charles offered the Sultan an unopened umbrella, but his guest politely declined, choosing to remain in the rain alongside his hosts. After the welcome, the royals and their guest entered enclosed carriages for the procession. The Sultan had travelled without his wife, Sayyida Ahad, meaning the usual arrangements involving royal couples were different. William had greeted him earlier in London on his father’s behalf, before Catherine joined the royal party at Windsor.
As the state visit continues, attention will turn to the King’s engagements and William’s scheduled appearance in Aberfan, South Wales, marking sixty years since the disaster that killed 116 children. Catherine is not listed on the programme and is expected to continue focusing on her early childhood initiatives.
The feathers brooch will eventually return to its protective case, awaiting another important royal occasion. Perhaps Remembrance Sunday in November will provide its next appearance. After surviving generations of royal change, two world wars, and a painful divorce, this historic jewel continues to connect the past with the present.
And one day, when William becomes king and Catherine becomes queen, the brooch may pass to another woman who carries the title of Princess of Wales. Until then, its journey remains a powerful reminder that royal jewellery can preserve stories that words sometimes leave unspoken.
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