Queen Camilla's banquet jewelry is a touching tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and has a romantic history too

Queen Camilla's banquet jewelry, worn during her first official state visit as Queen Consort, was a favorite of her late mother-in-law and laden with an all too familiar precious stone.

• Queen Camilla's banquet jewelry included a tiara which is the last one the Queen was ever photographed in.
• The matching necklace has a sweet history - but did you notice how the new Queen adapted it to her own style?
• In other royal news, King Charles’ sweet touch at home shows the Queen’s still very much in his thoughts.

From Princess Anne's Empress Maria Feodorovna sapphire brooch, to Kate Middleton's engagement ring, which famously once belonged to Princess Diana - it's easy to wonder why sapphires are considered the most important gemstones of the Royal Family.

Considering the historical importance of the state visit of President Cyril Ramaphosa of the Republic of South Africa, the red carpet was rolled out and he truly received a royal welcome. Queen Camilla is known for sporting jewelry with a message behind it and her tiara of choice was the last one Queen Elizabeth II was photographed wearing. And what goes best with sapphires? Why, more sapphires of course. 

The stylish royal sported a sapphire necklace, which was among the late monarch's most beloved pieces as it was a wedding gift from her father King George VI, in 1947. The Queen Consort chose to make her own edit to the piece, leaving its main pendant out as she appears to favor a choker-style necklace above all. 

More poignant still, as pointed out by royal favorite photographer Chris Jackson, is that Camilla's tiara of choice was the last one that Queen Elizabeth II was ever photographed in.

Queen Elizabeth II wore her George VI sapphire demi-parure and matching tiara at a Buckingham Palace state banquet back in 2016, among many other important official events throughout her reign.

All eyes were also on another royal first, as the Prince and Princess of Wales attended their first official state visit with fans excited to see another of Kate Middleton’s dresses go down in the fashion history books. State Banquets are even more exciting as they bring all the bling and although Kate Middleton can't wear Diana's tiara, despite now being the Princess of Wales - her royal highness dazzled in her adornment of choice. 

The Lover’s Knot Tiara, which originally belonged to Elizabeth II's grandmother Queen Mary, was often worn by Princess Diana at official events. This could certainly be considered to be a touching nod to both her late mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law.

It wasn't only jewelry that was sending out messages as proven by the symbolism behind the flowers at the state banquet. The Royal Family revealed in a statement that the flowers were not imported internationally, and were sourced in the UK. "Final preparations are underway for tonight’s State Banquet. Arrangements featuring British-grown seasonal flowers will adorn the Ballroom," read a tweet from the official Royal Family account. More impressively still, much of the stunning floral display was grown in royal gardens! "Foliage has been sourced from the gardens of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, and crab apples in Kent," read the tweet.