This article contains affiliate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission.The Rich History Behind the Jewel Necklace Queen Camilla Wore to the White House State Dinner

Rachel KingTue, April 28, 2026 at 11:35 PM UTC

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The Rich History Behind the Jewel Necklace Queen Camilla Wore to the White House State Dinner

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Queen Camilla has been intentional with her jewelry choices during the state visit to the United States this week. Perhaps reflecting the magnitude of this trip, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, she’s brought over a number of historic pieces. While she didn’t have a tiara for the formal state dinner at the White House on Tuesday evening, Queen Camilla did arrive wearing a priceless necklace with a long royal history.

Paired with her fuchsia pink Fiona Clare evening gown, Queen Camilla wore a stunning amethyst and diamond necklace that once belonged to Queen Victoria, who later bequeathed them to the royal collection. The necklace is actually part of the Kent Amethyst Demi-Parure—comprising a necklace, earrings, and brooch—dating to 1818. The pieces originally belonged to Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, Duchess of Kent and mother of Queen Victoria. Queen Elizabeth also wore the suite on numerous occasions throughout her reign.

Queen Elizabeth, wearing the full parure with the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, to a state banquet in Portugal in 1985.Tim Graham - Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth also wore the brooch on its own during a trip to the White House in 1991.Anwar Hussein - Getty Images

After walking over from Blair House, the official presidential guest quarters where the royal couple are staying while in Washington, the King and Queen were greeted by President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the White House. A military color guard led both couples to the base of the Grand Staircase, where the four paused for a formal photograph before proceeding to the Blue Room to greet 120 dinner guests. The group then moved to the East Room, where the state dinner is being held.

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This four-day trip marks the first formal state visit by a British monarch to the White House since Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip traveled to D.C. in 2007. That visit marked the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement, while this one coincides with the 250th anniversary of the United States this year. King Charles has previously traveled to the U.S. on official visits many times, this was his first time in the country as the UK’s reigning monarch. Notably, Charles and Camilla also visited D.C. together before in 2005 and 2015.

Prince Philip, First Lady Laura Bush, Queen Elizabeth (wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara), and President George W. Bush in 2007.Anwar Hussein - Getty Images

President George W. Bush, the Duchess of Cornwall, First Lady Laura Bush, and Prince Charles in 2005.Tim Graham - Getty Images

After arriving at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Monday, the King and Queen were first hosted at the White House for afternoon tea, then took a tour of the White House beekeeping operation, and later attended a garden party at the residence of the British ambassador to the United States. Earlier today, King Charles addressed a joint session of Congress, becoming only the second British monarch to do so, following Queen Elizabeth in 1991. He later met with chief executives from the technology sector in the U.S. and United Kingdom; the UK is Europe’s largest tech market, valued at $1.2 trillion. Among the Silicon Valley titans at the White House on Tuesday included outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook, AMD CEO Lisa Su, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

Tomorrow, the tour will continue in New York City, where the King and Queen are expected to meet with families of victims and first responders from the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. As part of her ongoing commitment to promoting literacy charities, Queen Camilla will also visit the New York Public Library for an event marking the centenary of English author A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh. The couple will also attend a gala for Charles’s charity, The King’s Trust, in the evening.

The U.S. leg of their transatlantic trip will conclude in Virginia on Thursday with several events to mark America’s 250 anniversary. King Charles will then continue on to Bermuda, where he also serves as head of state.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”