Queen consort Camilla was the star of the Cheltenham Festival, one of the most important equestrian events in the United Kingdom, which she attended solo last Wednesday.
The wife of King Charles III enjoyed her great passion for horses and had the opportunity to present the trophy to the winning owner, jockey and trainer of the Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase, one of the most prestigious races of the festival.
For the occasion, Queen Camilla wore an elegant long coat in beige, with matching suede boots, a fur-trimmed hat and black gloves and handbag. But what caught the most attention was the brooch she wore on her chest: a piece of jewelry depicting a rider riding a horse that belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Queen Camilla’s brooch at the Cheltenham Festival
The brooch that Camilla wore at the Cheltenham Festival is a unique and exclusive piece of jewelry that was designed by the British firm Alabaster & Wilson Ltd. The brooch is in the shape of a rider riding a horse and is made of three shades of gold: yellow, white and red. The brooch is adorned with 35 brilliant-cut diamonds.
The brooch was a gift from the Racing Post newspaper to Queen Elizabeth II on her 90th birthday in 2016. The queen is a huge horse fan and has owned more than 30 Cheltenham Festival winners. The brooch was inspired by a photograph of the horse Devon Loch, owned by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
Queen Camilla wanted to pay tribute to her mother-in-law, with whom she shared a love of horses and racing. Queen Elizabeth II was a regular at the Cheltenham Festival, where she was often accompanied by other members of the royal family and British high society.
During her visit to the festival, Camilla had the opportunity to take a close look at the horses that were to take part in the various events and to talk to some of the owners, jockeys and trainers. She was also very close to the attending public, whom she greeted with sympathy.
The Cheltenham festival generates several hundred million pounds in betting each year and features 14 grade one races. The last race is the most eagerly awaited: the Gold Cup, which crowns the best horse of the year.
