I have noticed that many websites, both media and jewellery sites, describe the Prince of Wales feathers brooch simultaneously as the gift of the Ladies of North Wales and the Ladies of Bristol to Queen Alexandra.

I have no idea how that confusion has arisen, as the Ladies of North Wales gave a totally separate gift from the Ladies of Bristol. Perhaps more pertinently Bristol is in England and some considerable distance (by British standards) from the area referred to as North Wales.

Evidence of what the Ladies of North Wales give to Queen Alexandra.



These gifts were depicted in the "official" record of the gifts alongside the gift from the Ladies of Bristol and the King of Denmark. The Welsh Prince of Wales feather brooch is in the lower right hand corner. Perhaps some have misunderstood the very faint caption at the bottom. But number 5 on the list, the gift of the Ladies of Bristol, is the brooch on the top right hand side.



All around the image of the gifts are numbers. This enlargement shows the numeral 7 clearly printed next to the brooch now worn by the Duchess of Cornwall.



The caption to the page states that number 7 was the gift of the Ladies of North Wales.



The Ladies of Bristol gave a separate gift which was marked number 5 and was at the top right hand corner of the page.


The Ladies of Bristol finally (after some deliberation) gave a gift of a brooch/pendant, which had a 13 carat sapphire centre and a pearl pendant.





The brooch below is the gift from the Ladies of Bristol



In some respects I feel disappointed that the Ladies of Bristol gave Queen Alexandra this sapphire brooch/pendant as, initially, the ladies had hoped to raise sufficient money to purchase a pearl and diamond suite of jewels.