Queen Camilla's $39K crown brooch sparkles at poignant event as she shares romantic glance with King Charles

Queen Camilla's crown brooch compliments her simple blue dress as her speech moves guests at important event - including one who sneaked in

Camilla, Queen Consort attends a reception to celebrate the second anniversary of The Reading Room at Clarence House on February 23, 2023 in London, England. The Reading Room, which was official launched by the Queen Consort 2 years ago, champions literacy and encourages readers to find new literature.
(Image credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Camilla's crown brooch cost a stonking $39,000 (£33,000) but the loved-up photo of her and the King is priceless. The Queen Consort was clearly in her element during the event and even greeted one guest - who appears to have sneaked into Clarence House in a bag.


Camilla, Queen Consort, joined by King Charles III, speaks as she hosts a reception at Clarence House for authors, members of the literary community and representatives of literacy charities, to celebrate the second anniversary of The Reading Room on February 23, 2023 in London, England. The Reading Room, which was official launched by the Queen Consort 2 years ago, champions literacy and encourages readers to find new literature.

(Image credit: Jonathan Brady-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

After news of yet another new job for Camilla, it's easy to wonder how she juggles it all. Especially after Queen Camilla canceled all of her engagements following her COVID-19 diagnosis - almost exactly a year after the last time she caught the virus.

There's no stopping her, it appears, as she's straight back to business and Queen Camilla's crown brooch seemed very fitting for the event in question. Why? Well, she hosted a reception for well-known authors at Clarence House for her pride and joy 'Camilla’s Reading Room' which is now a charity.

The event saw famous authors including Victoria Hislop, Jacqueline Wilson, Sebastian Faulks, Peter James, and Charlie Mackesy. The latter sneakily brought a guest, whom we're not sure had an invite, but HRH Queen Camilla was delighted - as it was a dog!

Camilla, Queen Consort (L) meets author Charlie Mackesy and his dog Barney as she hosts a reception at Clarence House for authors, members of the literary community and representatives of literacy charities, to celebrate the second anniversary of The Reading Room on February 23, 2023 in London, England. The Reading Room, which was official launched by the Queen Consort 2 years ago, champions literacy and encourages readers to find new literature.

(Image credit: Jonathan Brady-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

As she's famously a dog lover, it was no surprise that the royal made time to greet the furry guest. 

Even a dog couldn't distract her from her duties though and the Queen took the opportunity to address her illustrious guests with a rather moving speech. She said, “Please remain true to your calling, unimpeded by those who may wish to curb the freedom of your expression or impose limits on your imagination.”

King Charles looked on, as proud as can be, as she spoke and the two of them looked super loved-up throughout the reception.

Although their adorable display was a beautiful distraction - we did notice Queen Camilla's crown brooch, which experts at Steven Stone value at a remarkable $39K(£33K).

King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort attend a reception to celebrate the second anniversary of The Reading Room at Clarence House on February 23, 2023 in London, England. The Reading Room, which was official launched by the Queen Consort 2 years ago, champions literacy and encourages readers to find new literature.

(Image credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Maxwell Stone, the Diamond Expert at Steven Stone spoke to the Daily Express about the piece, which is in the shape of the Tudor crown. 

"The silver brooch features a band studded with sapphire, ruby, and emerald," he explained. "The Tudor crown is particularly symbolic as it stylizes King Charles III's cypher."

Consisting of an intertwined C and R beneath a Tudor crown, the red and gold logo was personally selected by the King from a choice of 10 different designs prepared by the College of Arms. It made its inaugural appearance on royal mail sent from Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, September 27, 2022.

This took over from the St Edward Crown and the Tudor Crown last appeared on the royal insignia with King George VI, who was the King's grandfather. The expert believes that the move to move away from the St Edward Crown is to make his own mark - moving from his late mother Queen Elizabeth II's 70-year reign.

King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort attend a reception to celebrate the second anniversary of The Reading Room at Clarence House on February 23, 2023 in London, England. The Reading Room, which was official launched by the Queen Consort 2 years ago, champions literacy and encourages readers to find new literature.

(Image credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

"King Charles III's new throne is also said to carry the Tudor Crown," added the expert, "making the brooch an incredibly sentimental choice by the Queen Consort, who will be crowned alongside the King on his coronation day in May."

The expert points out that it's hard to put a price on such a piece but he proffers, "I'd estimate Camilla's brooch to be worth $39,000(£33,000)."

Aoife Hanna
Junior News Editor

Aoife is an Irish journalist and writer with a background in creative writing, comedy, and TV production.

Formerly woman&home's junior news editor and a contributing writer at Bustle, her words can be found in the Metro, Huffpost, Delicious, Imperica and EVOKE.

Her poetry features in the Queer Life, Queer Love anthology.

Outside of work you might bump into her at a garden center, charity shop, yoga studio, lifting heavy weights, or (most likely) supping/eating some sort of delicious drink/meal.