On Christmas Day 1953 the Ladies of Auckland presented Queen Elizabeth II with a diamond encrusted silver fern brooch, this being a floral emblem of New Zealand.

The brooch, which was not a gift of the government but financed by funds raised by a group of women in Auckland, was presented to HM by Lady Allum, wife of the Mayor on Christmas Day.

Since then HM has consistently worn the brooch when in New Zealand and to events associated with New Zealand. I am not sure, however, that it is a favourite as it is rarely seen otherwise.

But what a lovely, sparkling Christmas gift! As the saying goes - good things come in small boxes.







The Duchess of Cambridge wore the brooch several times while touring New Zealand.

Did the Duchess of Cornwall ever wear the brooch?

Edit: I forgot to add this news item from a New Zealand paper https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11237678