How the Queen keeps Prince Charles close to her heart as she returns to work
The Queen has returned to duties from her new permanent home in Windsor, and her choice of accessory has an emotional connection


The Queen welcomed a luxury goods company to her new permanent home at Windsor as she returned to royal duties this week. While examining the decorated teapots and trinkets, Her Majesty wore her Flower Basket brooch, the gift given to her to celebrate the birth of Prince Charles.
- The Queen got into the spirit of working from home this week, inviting a luxury goods company to Windsor to showcase their trinkets and decorative tea sets.
- While inspecting the goods, Her Majesty was wearing a floral dress complemented with one of her favorite pieces of jewelry, the Flower Basket Brooch given to her after the birth of Charles.
- In other royal news, heartbreaking reason Prince William wouldn't marry Kate Middleton for years.
The Queen, in her usual colorful fashion, got into the feeling of spring this week as she returned to duties, working from home at Windsor Castle.
This is one of the Queen’s first public engagements ahead of the planned Prince Philip memorial service on Tuesday (March 29).
Her Majesty wore a bright floral dress as she welcomed Halcyon Days to present a collection of their luxury hand-decorated teapots and enamelled trinket boxes.
Complementing her dress, the Queen also wore her Flower Basket brooch.
The Flower Basket brooch is understood to be one of the Queen’s favorite pieces, and it’s not just because it fits in with the favorite secrets of Her Majesty’s style, which includes bold colors.
The brooch displays a bright basket of gem-studded flowers set with diamonds, sapphires, rubies and emeralds.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
The real reason the brooch could be one of her favorites is that the beautiful piece was given to Her Majesty as a present to mark the birth of her first child, Prince Charles, in 1948.
The brooch was gifted to her by her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
Her Majesty—who was, at the time, Princess Elizabeth—wore the brooch for the first official photographs with her son.
The Queen has worn the brooch on many occasions since, proving the sentimentality of the piece is important to her.
In 2013, she touchingly chose the brooch for the christening of Prince Charles’s first grandchild, Prince George.
Amazingly, you can actually get your hands on your own version of Her Majesty’s favorite brooch. Well, sort of.
The Royal Collection, one of the largest and most widely distributed art collections in the world, offers a pastel flower basket brooch inspired by the Queen’s Flower Basket brooch.
Pastel Flower Basket Brooch, £55 ($72) | Royal Collection Shop
Collect your own piece of royal-inspired jewelry with this quaint replica brooch.
The item costs approximately $72 (£55) and the description reads, “This beautiful brooch is an elegant arrangement of pastel flowers in a basket. Wonderfully set with crystals of the highest quality, into white gold plated metal, this statement piece would be a delightful addition to any jewelry box.”

Jack Slater is not the Last Action Hero, but that's what comes up first when you Google him. Preferring a much more sedentary life, Jack gets his thrills by covering news, entertainment, celebrity, film and culture for woman&home, and other digital publications.
Having written for various print and online publications—ranging from national syndicates to niche magazines—Jack has written about nearly everything there is to write about, covering LGBTQ+ news, celebrity features, TV and film scoops, reviewing the latest theatre shows lighting up London’s West End and the most pressing of SEO based stories.
-
Sambas have been trending for months now - but Fearne Cotton just wore hers in the most refreshing way
We’re still a few months away from sandal season and Fearne Cotton has inspired us to reach for our Sambas so much more.
By Emma Shacklock
-
I'm a former beauty editor who travels for a living - these are the 9 multitasking products I would never leave home without
I pack and unpack 100 times a year, so only the best of the best makes it into my beauty bag
By Lydia Swinscoe
-
Kate Middleton and Prince William to spend anniversary in bittersweet location holding 'happiest and saddest' memories
Just like King Charles and Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales will mark their wedding anniversary away from home this year.
By Emma Shacklock
-
I’ve been writing about the royals for years - here’s what I predict Kate Middleton will wear at Easter (and what I wish she’d wear instead)
All eyes will be on the Princess of Wales if she attends the Royal Family's Easter Sunday church service for the first time since 2023
By Emma Shacklock
-
Remember when Prince William and Kate Middleton broke royal protocol at Easter? Here's why it's unlikely to happen again
The Royal Family might be taking a more modern approach these days, but there are some traditions and protocols that they still uphold.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Kate Middleton's go-to bag for special occasions is a wedding season essential you'll reach for time and time again
The Princess of Wales always reaches for the same elegant style of bag for formal events and it works beautifully for weddings.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Kate Middleton declares baker boy hats back for 2025 in new Love Actually-esque outfit
The Princess of Wales's signature style is all about timelessness but that doesn’t mean that she never gets on board with trends.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Prince George will start a new school this year and 'smart money' is on Kate and William choosing this one, says royal expert
Prince George only has just over a year left at Lambrook School and Emily Andrews believes there's a top contender for his next one.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Queen Camilla takes note of Kate Middleton's love of polka dots with charming collared number in Rome
If we had to pick the Princess of Wales’s favourite print it would be polka dots and Queen Camilla just emulated her style in Rome.
By Emma Shacklock
-
James Middleton says he 'had three mothers growing up' as he opens up on close-knit family bond
The Princess of Wales’s brother had several 'mothering figures' during his childhood and was 'fortunate' to have this tightknit support system.
By Emma Shacklock