When you see Queen Camilla at a state banquet, she isn't just wearing "a lot of diamonds." She’s wearing a very specific, very deliberate history. Honestly, it’s kinda fascinating how much her personal style leans into the Edwardian era—that short, glittering window from 1901 to 1910 when everything became lighter, lacier, and way more opulent.
Most people assume everything in the royal vault belongs to the late Queen Elizabeth II. But Camilla’s jewelry box is a mix of crown property and some seriously heavy-hitting family heirlooms. We're talking about pieces that connect her directly to her great-grandmother, Alice Keppel, who was famously the mistress of King Edward VII. It’s a bit of a "full circle" moment every time she pins on an Edwardian brooch.
The Greville Tiara: The Honeycomb That Won’t Quit
If there’s one piece of queen camilla edwardian jewelry you’ve definitely seen, it’s the Greville Tiara. It’s massive. It’s bold. It looks like a diamond honeycomb.
Margaret Greville, a wealthy socialite, left this piece to the Queen Mother in 1942. It was actually made by Lucien Hirtz for Boucheron in 1921, but it’s essentially the peak of the Edwardian aesthetic that carried over into the early Art Deco years. It uses a "millegrain" technique, which basically means the metal is worked into tiny beads to make the diamonds look like they’re floating.
Camilla wears this thing better than almost anyone. While Queen Elizabeth II famously preferred her smaller, more vertical tiaras, Camilla has the hair—and the presence—to pull off this heavy, architectural wall of light. It has become her signature "power" piece.
The Scandalous Alice Keppel Connection
You can't talk about Camilla's jewelry without mentioning the "Keppel" factor.
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One of the most stunning pieces she owns is a diamond serpent necklace from Van Cleef & Arpels. It wasn't a gift from the King; it was a legacy from her grandmother, Sonia Keppel Cubitt. But the vibe? Pure Edwardian. During that era, snakes were symbols of eternal love.
Then there’s the Minoru Brooch.
It’s shaped like a horseshoe. It spells out "Minoru," which was the name of King Edward VII’s favorite racehorse. This little bauble uses diamonds, rubies, and sapphires to mimic the royal racing silks. Camilla wearing this is a direct nod to her family’s intimate (and scandalous) history with the Edwardian court. It’s a bit of a "wink" to those who know the history.
Why the Edwardian Style Works for Her
The Edwardian era was all about the "S-curve" silhouette and massive hats. It was feminine but substantial. Camilla’s fashion sense—the structured coats, the Philip Treacy hats—is essentially a modern update of that 1905 aesthetic.
- Platinum was the game-changer. Before this era, jewelry was set in silver or gold, which made it heavy and chunky.
- The "White-on-White" look. Edwardian designers loved using diamonds and pearls together on platinum to create a lacy, ethereal effect.
- Garlands and Ribbons. You’ll see these motifs in the necklaces Camilla picks for state visits.
The 1902 Coronation Brooch
Recently, Camilla has been spotted wearing a delicate gold and enamel brooch that reads "1902." That was the year of Edward VII’s coronation. It’s got seed pearls and a red enamel crown.
It’s not the most expensive thing she owns. Far from it. But it’s a "presentation piece"—the kind of thing given to inner-circle members of the court back in the day. By wearing it, she isn't just representing the current monarchy; she’s acknowledging the deep, messy, and very real roots her family has in the British establishment.
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The Greville Emerald Kokoshnik
We have to talk about the "Emerald Shock."
In late 2024, at a Diplomatic Reception, Camilla pulled the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik out of the vault. This thing is legendary. It’s got a 93-carat emerald in the center. It was made by Boucheron in 1919, but its style is 100% Edwardian-era Russian influence.
Princess Eugenie wore it for her wedding, but Camilla wearing it as Queen felt different. It felt like she was finally fully embracing the "more is more" philosophy of Queen Alexandra (Edward VII’s wife).
How to Spot "Edwardian" in Her Collection
If you want to look at a piece of jewelry and know if it fits this vibe, look for these three things:
- Airiness. Does it look like lace made of metal?
- Bows. The Edwardians loved a good diamond bow or tassel.
- The stones. Lots of pearls mixed with diamonds. They weren't into the big, bold colored-stone clusters of the Victorian era as much; they wanted "shimmer."
Camilla’s Edwardian pearl necklace with the diamond clasp—the one she wore to meet the Pope and for her 14th-anniversary photo—is the perfect example. It’s classic, it’s romantic, and it’s unapologetically old-school.
The Practical Legacy
The reality is that queen camilla edwardian jewelry serves a purpose beyond looking pretty. It bridges the gap between the "old" world of her ancestors and the modern role she occupies now. She uses these pieces to show continuity.
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When she wears a brooch that belonged to Queen Mary or Queen Alexandra, she’s saying, "I’m part of this line." When she wears a Keppel heirloom, she’s saying, "I know exactly who I am."
It’s a sophisticated way of handling her public image. She doesn't hide the past; she wears it.
What You Can Learn from Camilla’s Style
You don't need a royal budget to take a page out of the Edwardian playbook. The focus on symmetry and delicate metalwork is what makes these pieces timeless. If you’re looking to invest in jewelry that won’t look dated in ten years, look for:
- Millegrain edging on rings (that tiny beaded texture).
- Pendant-style necklaces that drop into a "Y" shape.
- Seed pearl accents, which are making a huge comeback in 2026.
Keep an eye on the next State Opening of Parliament. Chances are, Camilla will reach for something platinum, lacy, and at least 120 years old. She knows what works for her, and she isn't changing it now.
To get a closer look at these historic pieces yourself, you can visit the Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace, where specific Edwardian exhibitions often rotate through the collection. Check the Royal Collection Trust website for the current schedule of "Power & Sparkle" displays to see the Greville stones in person.