Royal Jewels – The Australian Wattle Brooch

The Australian Wattle brooch is “claw- and pavé-set with three large brilliant and a variety of white, pale and deep yellow brilliants and baguettes in the form of a sprig of a golden wattle with a spray of Australian tea tree blossom.”¹

The brooch represents the national flower of Australia and was commissioned by William Drummond & Co. Ltd from designer Paul Charles Schneller. The Prime Minister of Australia presented it to Queen Elizabeth II on 16 February 1954 during a state banquet in Parliament House in Canberra. It was Queen Elizabeth II’s first visit to Australia, and it was also the first visit by a reigning monarch.

Queen Elizabeth II wore the brooch often to Australian events but also during Commonwealth events. It was also famously worn to the wedding of then Prince of Wales to Camilla Parker Bowles – now the King and Queen.

1. The Queen’s Diamonds by Hugh Roberts p.300