Sometime ago I became interested in how often other Queens (who would normally be the only ones entitled to wear any of the jewels Queen Victoria left to the Crown) wore these diamond ears of wheat brooches. Of course, all that we can judge by is when we spot the brooches in photos of the queens.
I have never seen photos showing Queen Mary or Queen Alexandra wearing the brooches, but it is highly likely that both would have worn the jewels at some time.
The only photograph I have seen where Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was wearing one of the brooches was during the State visit to France in 1938. Given that she wore it on her sash, I suspect that it is likely HM would have worn one of the brooches on her sash at other times also.
Based on the photos I have seen, it would appear that QEII has worn the brooches more frequently as hair ornaments, although she has worn 2 of them as brooches.
Although most photos I have of QEII wearing the ears of wheat in her hair show only one being worn, I suspect that she may have worn 2 and that it is the angle from which the photos have been taken which suggests that only one was worn.
As hair ornaments.
1991
1999
1998
1975. To my eye the two photos below suggest that QEII was wearing one of the jewels on each side of her head.
1975 (2)
1981
1997
1973
2010. As brooches
Has any one seen other images of any of the Queens wearing these jewels? It would be great if we could compile a series of photos of them with the ears of wheat brooches.
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