There’s something very special about Kate Middleton’s gold shamrock brooch – and it might not even belong to the royal family
Catherine, Princess of Wales, is the only royal to have worn the gold shamrock brooch since 2011
![Kate Middleton wore the Irish Guards gold shamrock brooch for St Patrick's Day](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/idPfga37xXyeavWCtJTccS-415-80.jpg)
Kate Middleton mixed a bit of old with the new as she carried out another successful engagement, proving she has more than settled into her position as the Princess of Wales. While Kate deviated from traditional St Patrick’s Day fashion, she kept one detail - a brooch - which references back to many royals before her, including Princess Anne and the Queen Mother. And it just so happens to be sentimental to Kate for another reason - it was the first ever accessory she wore while carrying out her first official royal engagement.
- Princess Catherine got into the St Patrick’s Day spirit, honoring the Irish Guards regiment with shamrocks, as per royal tradition
- For the appearance, Kate wore the Irish Guards brooch – the first brooch she ever wore as a working royal, but this simple gold brooch has an interesting origin story
- In other royal news, why there could be a second balcony appearance at King Charles’ coronation in ‘illuminating’ moment
While Kate Middleton sidestepped one tradition this St Patrick’s Day – opting for a vibrant teal outfit compared to the usual traditional green – the Princess of Wales honored an age old royal custom.
And it involves a brooch which is truly unlike any other which has been adorned by royal figures in the past.
Despite being photographed on the likes of the Queen Mother and Anne, the Princess Royal, the golden shamrock brooch isn’t thought to belong to the royal family at all. This is because the brooch is thought to belong to the Irish Guards, with whom Kate greeted at her St Patrick’s appearance.
The royal family jewelry website, the Court Jeweller, explains that the Irish Guards brooch "is loaned out to royal ladies who are associated with the regiment."
The somewhat surprising idea that a royal must request to wear the brooch is only part of the mystery around this simple gold brooch.
Officially known as the Irish Guards Brooch, the textured gold accessory features a single emerald set in the center of its leaves.
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.
Another reason the brooch is so special is that it was the first one ever worn by Kate during her first official engagement as a royal, as per jewelry expert Maxwell Stone, who also estimates this brooch to be worth around $3K and featured 18K carat gold.
Ever since that historic first for her, Kate has sported the shamrock brooch on St Patrick’s Day celebrations since 2011, and she’s the only royal to have worn it since then.
The fascination around this brooch doesn’t end there – it also has something of a mysterious origin.
Some historians cite Queen Alexandra as the first owner of the brooch. This is partly because Alexandra began another custom still observed today – the handing out of actual shamrocks to the Irish Guard. Kate was seen carrying this tradition out again this year.
However, another origin story for the gold brooch includes Prince William himself.
In the book, Up the Micks! An Illustrated History of the Irish Guards, a book written by James Wilson, which features a foreword by the now Prince of Wales, the brooch is said to have been crafted by Cartier and then presented to Princess Mary, the Princess Royal, by the regiment in 1961.
After Princess Mary died, the brooch was purchased by the regiment at an auction of her personal jewelry. It was worn by the Queen Mother, by request.
While it might be puzzling that a jewel so associated with the royals doesn’t actually belong to them, it isn’t the only shamrock themed piece in their collection.
The Irish Guards brooch is a much simpler style than other brooches representing Ireland and/or Northern Ireland – including one which was part of the late Queen Elizabeth’s collection and went on display for the Platinum Jubilee.
Featuring a small bouquet of diamond shamrocks, secured by an emerald ribbon, this tribute to Northern Ireland was gifted to the Queen in 2012 and has been worn by Her Majesty many times in a short period, including at Royal Ascot in 2015 and during her state visit to Germany the following week.
A jewelry expert explained to woman&home, “The Queen’s Shamrock of Ireland brooch features three diamond shamrocks, with each leaf containing one round diamond, set in white gold. The shamrocks are secured by an emerald ribbon and the level of detail of the squared baguettes along the stem is exquisite.”
The expert estimated it to be worth approximately $23,000.
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.
-
32 dining room ideas for a stylish, welcoming space
Looking for fresh and exciting ways to liven up your dining room interiors? We've got you covered
By Elena Kiratzi Published
-
5 award-winning products and brands given special recognition by our panel of beauty experts
These beauty brands and products have gone above and beyond, winning our special seal of approval
By Rhiannon Derbyshire Published
-
Princess Anne's nickname for King Charles is unusual to say the least but it reflects their 'very close' bond
The Princess Royal has the sweetest nickname for her brother King Charles and has been described by an expert as his 'right-hand woman'
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Was Timothy Laurence married before Princess Anne and how did they meet?
Sir Timothy Laurence has been married to Princess Anne for decades and here's all you need to know about their royal romance
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Where does Princess Anne live? All we know about the sprawling Gatcombe Park Estate that she and other royals call home
Princess Anne lives in the gorgeous Gloucestershire countryside and she shares her historic estate with several other royals
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Princess Anne in hospital with 'minor injuries' and concussion after incident at royal estate
The Princess Royal is currently in hospital after an incident at her Gatcombe Park estate, Buckingham Palace has confirmed
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
32 touching moments between Princess Anne and Zara Tindall
The Princess Royal and her only daughter, Zara Tindall, share a love of sports, but it goes far beyond that as these photos prove
By Jack Slater Published
-
Princess Diana’s lookalike twin nieces have convinced us to jump on the micro bag trend after the Chelsea Flower Show
Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia Spencer took different styling approaches with their micro bags at Chelsea Flower Show but we love both
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Royal brides and their 'something blue': From Kate Middleton's secret detail to Zara Tindall's protocol-breaker
Many royal brides' 'something blue' isn't noticeable to anyone else but they've included it as a special nod to the wedding tradition
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
32 candid photos of Queen Elizabeth II that showcase the late monarch's less serious side
The late Queen had lots of serious duties, but she was never afraid to show her funnier, more light-hearted side
By Amy Hunt Published