Camilla Brings Back $2.7M Heirloom in Quiet Tribute to Queen Elizabeth at Ascot — See Photos

Treasured family heirlooms making a return during major royal events is something that is cherished by many royal enthusiasts. As Royal Ascot began on Day 1, Queen Camilla stepped out in the Cullinan V brooch. It’s her most prized possession, worth $2.7 million. The glittering accessory once belonged to Queen Elizabeth II. During the recent royal gathering, it served as a tribute to the late monarch, as the King and Queen together led the Royal Procession at Ascot. 

As the King and Queen first arrived at Ascot Racecourse on June 16, Charles and Camilla, they were spotted in the first horse-drawn carriage of the Royal Procession. They were accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Wellington. While the royal couple's appearance drew significant attention, it was Camilla's jewelry choice that quickly became the standout moment. The Queen decided to wear the Cullinan V brooch for the second consecutive opening day of Royal Ascot. It suggested the beginning of a personal tradition connected to one of the royal family's most beloved heirlooms.

As per the Royal Collection Trust, the Cullinan V is one of nine principal stones that were cut from the Cullinan Diamond. It’s known as the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever discovered. The piece was originally unearthed in South Africa in 1905 and named after mining company chairman Thomas Cullinan. Initially, the diamond weighed an astonishing 3,106 carats before being cut. Later, the stone was sent to Amsterdam, where three craftsmen reportedly worked 14 hours a day for eight months to create nine major diamonds and 97 smaller brilliants. The South African government later purchased the stones and presented them to Queen Mary in 1910. That’s how the jewel found a place in royal history.

Since then, the Cullinan V's royal journey continued across many generations. Once King George V had Cullinan I and II mounted in the Sovereign's Scepter and Imperial State Crown, Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 became the owner of the remaining stones. The late monarch was also known for wearing the Cullinan V frequently throughout her reign. Some of those royal events include Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's wedding in 2018 and during London Fashion Week that same year. Its repeated appearances helped establish the brooch as one of her most recognizable pieces of accessories.

Another reason why the brooch has been so significant is its versatility. According to jeweler Steven Stone, Queen Mary originally had the Cullinan V fashioned into a platinum brooch. The piece could also be attached to a tiara. Camilla famously put this feature to use during her coronation in 2023. That’s what she incorporated into her crown instead of the controversial Koh-i-Noor diamond. Since then, she has worn it at a Buckingham Palace garden party in 2024 and at the recent White House reception during a state visit to the United States in April this year.

Camilla's jewelry choice with utmost meaning came during a family-centered Royal Ascot opening day. Right after the King and Queen's first carriage was Princess Anne, along with newlyweds Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling. The event marked their first major appearance since their June 6 wedding, and Queen Camilla's nephew, Sir Ben Elliot. With that backdrop in mind, family milestones and royal tradition, the return of Queen Elizabeth II's beloved Cullinan V brooch added another dimension of sentiment to the occasion, connecting the monarchy's present with its past.