Queen Camilla Wears Her Diamond Leek Brooch at the Senedd Opening
A leek in diamonds for Wales: why royal women wear national emblems on visits to each part of the United Kingdom.
Queen Camilla wore a diamond leek brooch for the ceremonial opening of the Seventh Senedd in Cardiff on Thursday 15 October 2026. The leek is one of the national emblems of Wales, and she has worn the brooch on several Welsh occasions, including the Senedd's 25th anniversary in July 2024.
The occasion
On Thursday 15 October 2026 the King and Queen attended the ceremonial opening of the Seventh Senedd in Cardiff Bay. ITV and Nation.Cymru reported it was the first time the King had performed the opening as monarch. In his address he spoke of his long connection with Wales and closed with a line in Welsh. Queen Camilla wore a bright red dress by Fiona Clare and a Philip Treacy hat, and, as The Court Jeweller noted, her diamond leek brooch.
The brooch
The brooch is a leek worked in diamonds. The Court Jeweller says it has been in the Queen's collection for many years and that she wore it often while Duchess of Cornwall, on her visits to Wales. She chose it for the Senedd's 25th anniversary in July 2024, and again in November 2025 during a visit to South Wales around the King's birthday. Its maker and date have not been published.
Leeks, thistles, roses and shamrocks
Royal women have long worn the emblem of the nation they are visiting: a thistle in Scotland, a shamrock in Northern Ireland, a leek or daffodil in Wales. The leek has a long royal history in jewellery. When Princess Alexandra married the Prince of Wales in 1863, the Ladies of North Wales gave her a suite of jewels in Welsh gold that included a large leek brooch, and The Court Jeweller records that the Queen Mother wore a leek brooch at the investiture of the Prince of Wales in 1969.
Plant and foliate brooches in antique jewellery
Brooches shaped as sprays of leaves, stems and flowers were a Victorian favourite, often set with old mine and rose cut diamonds in silver on a gold back so the stones looked white against the metal. Some were mounted "en tremblant", on small springs, so the flowers moved as the wearer did. With brooches like these, interest depends on the quality and cut of the diamonds, the workmanship of the mount, whether the pin and catch are original, and the condition of each setting. We buy and sell antique brooches, and value them free from photographs.
More from Mozeris News
Looking to buy or sell? Get in touch
We buy and sell antique and vintage jewellery, watches, silver and collectables, with free valuations and free insured collection.
About Mozeris Fine Antiques
Mozeris Fine Antiques is a dealer in fine jewellery, watches and silver, with offices in Mayfair, London, and Braintree, Essex. We buy and sell, and offer free valuations. Visits are by appointment.
- The Court Jeweller, "Queen Camilla wears a diamond leek at the Senedd in Cardiff", Oct 2026
- ITV News Wales, "King hails special connection with Wales in Senedd address", 15 Oct 2026
- The Court Jeweller, on the 1863 Ladies of North Wales suite
Mozeris Fine Antiques is not connected with the Royal Household or the Senedd. No press, agency or AI images are used; the photograph shows a piece from our own stock.
