Diamond brooch gifted by late Queen sells for £70,000 at coronation auction
Sotheby’s was marking the King’s coronation with a sale celebrating eight centuries of royal history.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Garrard & Co diamond brooch given by the late Queen to one of her coronation maids of honour has fetched £69,850 during an auction marking the King’s own coronation.
The piece belonged to Lady Moyra Campbell, who was the daughter of the 4th Duke of Abercorn.
She had known the late Queen since childhood, having been a member of the 1st Buckingham Palace Company of Girl Guides formed in 1937 for the then-Princess Elizabeth.
Lady Moyra also wore the brooch to the Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in 2012.
Garrard held the position of crown jewellers between 1843 and 2007, making pieces such as the Attallah Cross, which was worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, and sold earlier this year by Sotheby’s to reality star Kim Kardashian for £163,000.
A letter written by Catherine Parr to her brother William announcing her marriage to Henry VIII in 1543 also sold for £38,100.
The wedding ceremony had taken place on July 12 in the Queen’s Closet at Hampton Court Palace, attended by 18 people.
The couple immediately started on the court’s summer progress and the letter was written from the first stop, Oatlands Palace in Surrey.
A replica set of the British crown jewels – made of gilt metal, paste stones, simulant pearls, velvet and imitation ermine trim – sold for £33,020.
Also among the auction lots was a bottle of Chateau Mouton Rothschild with a label designed by the King, which sold for £11,430.
The 2004 vintage marked the centenary of the Entente Cordiale concluded by Britain and France in 1904.
Sotheby’s was marking the King’s coronation with a sale celebrating eight centuries of royal history.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.