Queen Camilla styled an embroidered ensemble by Christian Dior and joined King Charles III on Thursday for Royal Maundy Service at St Asaph Cathedral in Wales.
The United Kingdom’s queen consort wore a navy coat and coordinated dress with a bevy of embroidery on the bodice for Thursday’s special occasion. The Dior design featured botanical motifs throughout, with symmetrical curation of the embroidery.
Queen Camilla
UK Press via Getty Images
Mirrored from the bodice, the cuffs of the long-sleeve coat included embroidery as well. Hip pockets added dimension to the look, which Queen Camilla coordinated with a pair of suede black boots. As for accessories, Queen Camilla added a Philip Treacy hat with embellishments, a Dior bag and wore a pair of gloves.
Statement jewelry pieces included a brooch from the queen consort’s collection. The brooch is “an outstanding example of how mid-20th-century design can feel deeply heraldic and strikingly contemporary,” Justin Daughters, managing director of Berganza Antique and Vintage Jewellers in London, said in a statement provided to WWD.
Queen Camilla
Getty Images
The brooch’s central sapphire was “cradled within an intricate crown-shaped framework, likely crafted in platinum or high-carat white gold,” Daughters said. “The metal work features clean, geometric lines, signaling a departure from the flowing scrollwork of earlier periods toward the more architectural aesthetic associated with midcentury design.”
Diamonds surround the sapphire, which created a halo around the central stone to enhance the royal blue tone. “Ultimately, the piece is defined by its geometric harmony and symbolism,” Daughters said.
Queen Camilla
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
“The choice of sapphire, long associated with loyalty and steadfastness, set within a crown motif creates a powerful visual narrative, particularly for a ceremonial occasion such as Maundy Thursday. It reflects a monarchy that is both rooted in tradition and confidently modern in its expression.”
During Maundy Thursday services, King Charles III presented Maundy recipients, including 77 men and 77 women, with two purses: one red and one white, both of which contained Maundy money. The white purse held specially minted silver Maundy coins, while the red purse contained a 5 pound coin marking the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth and a 50 pound coin celebrating 50 years of The King’s Trust. The Royal Maundy gifts recognized the recipients’ exceptional service and their contributions to their respective communities.