Like you I am amazed at the colour, but there is no doubt in my mind that the colour photo of QEQM at Christmas 1970 shows her wearing the brooch she wore to the Garden Party in 1937.

I think many will be dreaming of seeing the Duchess of Cornwall wearing the jacinth brooch with its pendant. Hopefully when she does, the palace PR team will tell us more about its history and in particular which gemstone is in the jewel. The term jacinth (also sometimes called hyacinth) can encompass a couple of gemstones.