26 June 2024 , 14:50
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All eyes were on Queen Camilla on Tuesday night as she debuted the King's new Royal Family Order while attending a State Banquet for Japan's Emperor and Empress.
Camilla, 76, wore an elegant cream embroidered dress by Fiona Clare, alongside the Burmese ruby and diamond tiara, which boasts the rare distinction of being one of very few pieces designed by the late Queen herself,. Onlookers noted that the tiara also reflects the colours of the Japanese flag, a thoughtful gesture on Camilla's part.
But it was the new Family Order that really got people talking. It's a tradition that sees female royals wearing a picture of the monarch, and dates back to the time of King George IV. But Charles has made an important change.
Camilla wore the King's Family Order pinned on a blue sash just above the late Queen Elizabeth's Family Order (PA)
A closer look at the intricate piece, designed and constructed by Crown Jeweller Mark Appleby (PA)The King chose to have miniaturist Elizabeth Meek paint his portrait on polymin, a synthetic material, instead of the traditional ivory - no surprise given Charles is an avid environmentalist.
According to , Elizabeth based her painting on a 2023 portrait of the King by Hugo Burnand, which sees Charles wearing the uniform of the Admiral of the Fleet, adorned with the Garter Star and Collar, the Thistle Star, and the Royal Victorian Order.
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The delicate portrait is surrounded by diamonds taken from the Royal Collection, weighing 10.41 carats, mounted on a white and yellow gold frame, and hung from a tiny gold and enamel Tudor Crown.
It is attached to a pale blue silk bow. According to , the bow was made by Philip Treacy - one of Camilla's favourite hat designers - and the colour was personally selected by Charles, in a nod to the shade used by his great-grandfather, King George V.
Queen Camilla became the very first person to wear the honour, given only to royal women, when she pinned the piece on a blue sash just above Queen Elizabeth's Family Order.
The Family Order of the late Queen Elizabeth II also featured a regal portrait, showing the Queen wearing the ribbon and star of the Order of the Garter. Along with an enamel Tudor Crown and diamond border, Elizabeth chose a chartreuse watered ribbon to decorate her Family Order, which was presented to Princess Diana, the Queen Mother, and the Princess of Wales, as well as Camilla.