Princess Alexandra Australia's gift of a brooch in 1959Archived Message
Posted by Beth on May 22, 2016, 6:46 pm
When the Princess undertook a visit to Australia in 1959 the nation gave her a brooch, which the Prime Minister, Robert Menzies, presented at a ball. Dame Pattie Menzies pinned it to the Princess' gown but, although there are photos of that and photos of the Princess at the ball, it is impossible to see the brooch.
The design by Mrs Jean Norton, a designer for Hardy Brothers, Sydney, was inspired by Tea Tree blossoms. The brooch, depicting three ruby and diamond tea tree flowers and 5 buds, contained 400 diamonds, 15 rubies and 5 tourmalines and cost 690 pounds.
Unfortunately, photos of the brooch are scarce, although there is one in the National Archives but it has not been digitised. The Canberra Times 18 August 1959 had this photo but the details are difficult to see.
I suspect that the Princess is wearing the brooch in the photo below which was taken outside Brisbane City Hall in 1959.