From Vanity Fair · Eva Wolchover · · 1m 40s
The Jardine Star Brooch Mystery
Queen Elizabeth II's mysterious Jardine Star Brooch, now worn by Camilla, sparks decades-old family secrets.
In brief
Queen Elizabeth II's mysterious Jardine Star Brooch, now worn by Camilla, sparks decades-old family secrets. Queen Elizabeth II received the Jardine Star Brooch from Lady Jardine in 1981, but its origins remain unexplained after decades of royal use. Originally reported by Vanity Fair.
Dress Diplomacy
Queen Elizabeth II used jewelry to send political messages, like wearing chartreuse to stand out.
The Jardine Star Brooch
A 1981 gift from Lady Jardine, the brooch has been worn by Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Camilla.
Queen Elizabeth II's Use
She wore the brooch during her Diamond Jubilee weekend in 2012 and a 2021 meeting with President Joe Biden.
Queen Camilla's Adoption
Camilla wore the brooch at Royal Ascot in 2024 and 2025, and recently at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
The Jardine Family
The Jardines are an ancient Scottish clan with a 12th-century history and a motto of 'Beware, I am present.'
Lady Eda Jardine
Lady Eda Jardine, a 1920s race car driver, won the Monte Carlo Ladies Cup in 1931 and died in 1960.
The Brooch's Origin
The brooch may have been part of a necklace given to Lady Eda by her father or a tiara.
“I have heard that the star itself may have originally been part of a necklace given to Eda by her father, but I couldn’t say that with any certainty”
Family Secrets
The Jardine family has debated the brooch's origin for decades, with no clear answer.
Royal Jewelry Expert
Joanna Hardy says the brooch likely came from a tiara and was broken up for family use.
The Mystery Continues
Lady Gemma, the current Lady Jardine, hopes to solve the brooch's origin but admits it remains unexplained.
The one thing
Queen Elizabeth II received the Jardine Star Brooch from Lady Jardine in 1981, but its origins remain unexplained after decades of royal use.
