Duchess Camilla did something so special for the Queen as she faced difficult day without Prince Philip
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Duchess Camilla accompanied the Queen as she carried out her first major public engagement since Prince Philip's death and she showed her support for the monarch in a very special way.
- The Queen made her first major public appearance since losing her husband Prince Philip as she attended the State Opening of Parliament on May 11.
- Duchess Camilla accompanied her and did something incredibly special to support Her Majesty.
- This royal news (opens in new tab) comes as Prince Harry reveals hilarious antics on his first supermarket date with Meghan Markle in London (opens in new tab).
Duchess Camilla and Prince Charles attended the State Opening of Parliament on May 11 as they supported the Queen at her first major royal appearance since her husband of 73 years (opens in new tab), Prince Philip, passed away. As a pivotal member of the Royal Family, sometimes called The Firm (opens in new tab), the Duke of Edinburgh often sat alongside her at this important state occasion until his retirement in 2017.
This year’s opening featured a particularly heartbreaking detail (opens in new tab) that many might have missed as the Consort’s Throne was removed from the House of Lords since his passing.
The Queen instead sat alone on the Sovereign's Throne, with Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla a short distance away from her.
Though whilst they were not sitting next to Her Majesty, Camilla found a particularly special way to support her mother-in-law at this difficult time.
For this public engagement, Camilla chose an elegant cream dress and matching coat, but it was the brooch that accessorized her outfit that holds great meaning for her and the Queen.
This beautiful piece of jewellery is the Queen Mother’s Rock Crystal Brooch, believed to have been borrowed by Camilla from the Queen herself.
The Queen Mother was previously pictured wearing this stunning piece attached to her hat and it’s said that she began wearing it back in the 1920s.
In contrast, Camilla wore it pinned to the left side of her coat. Behind the crystals, the back is transparent allowing the colour of the clothing beneath it to show through.
But this isn't the only piece of the Queen Mother’s jewellery Camilla has worn in recent times. Earlier this year, the Duchess of Cornwall was seen wearing another stand-out brooch in a video shared in honour of Burns Night.
This diamond brooch is shaped like two thistles and was once a favourite of the Queen Mother, who again also wore this on her hat.
It is no doubt incredibly meaningful for Her Majesty to be reminded of her beloved mother with Camilla’s brooch choices.
As heir to the throne, it will have been important for Prince Charles to attend the event. As for the Duchess, although there has been confusion over the years about will Camilla be queen one day, Clarence House has previously confirmed that The Duchess of Cornwall will not become 'Queen' and will instead use the title 'Princess Consort'.
Emma is a Senior Lifestyle Writer with six years of experience working in digital publishing, ranging from book publishing to magazines. She currently looks after all things Lifestyle for Woman&Home, Goodto.com, and My Imperfect Life.
-
-
Paperchase wasn't just a card shop to me - it's the end of an era
Paperchase was so much more than a card shop
By Heidi Scrimgeour • Published
-
The Gold TV series: Cast and is it based on a true story? As the release date is announced
New first-look images of the cast and TX date announced as fans wonder if it's based on a true story...
By Selina Maycock • Published
-
Meghan Markle's 'broken promise' to the Queen revealed by royal author
The Duchess of Sussex is said to have made a 'promise' to the Queen during her very first meeting but later broke it, a new book claims.
By Selina Maycock • Published
-
Kate Middleton shares a never-before-seen picture of the young Queen at Christmas
The photo shows the late Queen in the middle of a production on Christmas Day
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse • Published
-
King Charles gives poignant nod to the Queen in first Christmas speech
In the first glimpse of King Charles' Christmas speech, an image shows him recording standing in St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
By Naomi Bartram • Published
-
The Queen's sweet gesture to great-grandchildren at Christmas revealed
The Queen had a tradition when it came to the younger members of her family around the festive period.
By Naomi Bartram • Published
-
King Charles to give 'solemn and reflective' tribute to the late Queen on Christmas Day
King Charles is set to address the passing of his mother Queen Elizabeth II in his Christmas speech
By Selina Maycock • Published
-
The Queen's special talent includes this 'alarmingly accurate' impression
The late Queen Elizabeth II was 'spot-on' at impersonating, according to a close friend
By Selina Maycock • Published
-
The Queen’s hilarious reaction to the Christmas Day crossbow intruder at Windsor Castle
The Queen's cheeky reaction to the Windsor Castle Christmas crossbow intruder was hilarious
By Naomi Jamieson • Published
-
Royal Christmas’s set to change as without the Queen there is less ‘pressure to have all of the family together’
We know Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are skipping the royal Christmas, but there's a deeper reason as to why
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse • Published