I guess that ideas of official gifts are usually submitted before to Buckingham Palace, so as to prevent any mishap or embarassing situation or interpretation.
Anyway, it is a beautiful brooch - and definitely one of my favourite in the Queen's collection. I regret that she has not worn it more requently.
Queen Elizabeth II arrives at the Presidential Palace on the first day of a tour of Slovakia on October 23, 2008 in Bratislava, Slovakia. The Queen and the Duke are on a two day tour of Slovakia at the invitation of President Ivan Gasparovic (October 23, 2008 - Source: Chris Jackson/Getty Images Europe).
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh attend Day Two of Royal Ascot on June 16, 2010 in Ascot, England (June 15, 2010 - Source: Stuart Wilson/Getty Images Europe).
Queen Elizabeth II shows the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani around exhibits from the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle during his state visit on October 26, 2010 in Windsor, United Kingdom (October 25, 2010 - Source: WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe).
Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to RAF Valley where Prince William is stationed as a search and rescue helicopter pilot on April 1, 2011 in Holyhead, United Kingdom. The Queen toured the airbase meeting staff and families, watched a fly past and was given a guided tour of a Sea King search and rescue helicopter by Prince William (March 31, 2011 - Source: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Europe).
Queen Elizabeth II visits the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich to open their River Pageant exhibition on April 25, 2012 in London, England. (April 24, 2012 - Source: WPA Pool [1st picture] / Ian Gavan [2nd picture]/Getty Images Europe).
on January 31, 2015, 11:21 am, in reply to "
