Unsurprisingly, the British developed conventions around the type of jewels worn during the Cowes Regatta.



Both King Edward VII and George V raced at Cowes and so Queen Alexandra and Queen Mary attended, and were photographed at day time events. Again to my surprise, they appear to have worn brooches which would fit with the convention, although Queen Mary was more frequently photographed wearing her "normal" brooches.

Queen Alexandra.

The type of brooches seen in photos of her change over time. I have no idea what the various flags or burgees mean. I suspect that one of the later brooches is the White Ensign, but know so very little about how and when it can be used that I am not confident it is the White Ensign.






1903



Detail


1909



Detail


Queen Mary

Queen Mary seems, for the most part, to have worn her ordinary brooches, but on at least one occasion I think she had a small flag brooch pinned to her hat.

1934


Detail



Have any of the other royal ladies been photographed wearing similar jewels?