I was thinking this afternoon about QEII latest brooch to debut at the Scottish garden party, and though gee she has a collection. I remember looking at the ‘Dressing the Queen’ book some time ago, and seeing a number of smaller brooches that we have rarely / never seen HM wear. Anyway, it got me to thinking, why HM never seems to pass on any brooches to her grand-daughters etc. For example, I don’t ever recall Princess Beatrice or Eugenie wearing and brooches passed down etc.. I’m not suggesting excessively valuable, or historical pieces, but with such a large collection, it seems a shame for to be stored away.

In the same vein, I wonder whether HM will bequeath many items through her will - somehow I think not. When you think of Queen Mary, you think of the extensive parures that she gave each daughter in law, and then the items she gave Princess Margaret etc... HM doesn’t seem to have this inclination. For example, Sophie, Beatrice, Eugenie, Katherine etc all do not appear to have a simple collet necklace.

I do fear if HM does not distribute much, that it will be generations before we see many pieces again. Let’s face it - Camilla seems to really only prefer her pearl chokers, even though she has numerous coloured gem necklaces. It’s not a criticism, just the way things has gone over the years. Likewise I cannot see Camila gifting / distributing much - she will more play a caretaker role I think. So it may well not until Katherine becomes the new PoW or Queen before we see items dusted off.

These are just my Sunday afternoon thoughts - what do others feel?