The Queen's Trooping the Colour Diamond Brooch Holds Special Meaning for Her

Queen Elizabeth has been wearing the Brigade of Guards badge for her annual Trooping the Colour birthday celebration. Find out the meaning behind the diamond brooch and why it's so special here.

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  • The annual Trooping the Colour birthday celebration for Queen Elizabeth takes place on June 8, 2019.
  • Per royal tradition, QE2 will wear her Brigade of Guards brooch.
  • The diamond brooch honors the British and Commonwealth armies

Every year, the royal family participates in a birthday parade for Queen Elizabeth II known as Trooping the Colour. And while everyone's outfits—from Kate Middleton's dress to Princess Beatrice's hats—are always unpredictable, one accessory does remain the same: QE2's brooch, the Brigade of Guards.

The brooch, made out of natural diamonds, combines the badges of the five regiments of the British and Commonwealth armies—Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish, and Welsh Guards—that take turns each year trooping their colours for the Queen. (Hence, the name of her annual birthday celebration.) The five symbols are enclosed in an oval frame with the Latin phrase, "Quinque Juncta In Uno," which translates in English to "five joined as one."

"The Queen’s decision to wear this brooch is not only a testament to her high regard for the regiments of the British and Commonwealth armies, but also a testament to the significance of diamonds for life’s momentous milestones, such as a birthday," Grant Mobley, diamond expert and gemologist, tells MarieClaire.com. "The symbolism engrained in this brooch, coupled with its natural diamond composition makes this breastpin the perfect accessory for the special event."

Trooping The Colour 2016

(Image credit: Samir Hussein)

Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday Parade: Trooping The Colour

(Image credit: Chris Jackson)

Queen Elizabeth II Trooping the Colour

(Image credit: Tim Graham)

Diana, Princess of Wales ,Prince William,Prince Harry ,Queen Elizabeth II,Princess Margaret,Prince Charles, Prince of Wales,Trooping the Colour

(Image credit: John Shelley Collection/Avalon)

The Brigade of Guards Brooch was originally created for Queen Mary, QE2's grandmother, so it's been a part of the royal family for quite a while. As Mobley points out, it's rare to see the Queen's outfits not featuring natural diamond brooches, and she's even known for passing them down to members of the royal family. She may give her Maple Leaf brooch and, who knows, even the Brigade of Guards to Princess Charlotte.

You can see the diamond brooch for yourself at this year's Trooping the Colour on June 8. More info on the Queen's birthday celebration with the royal family can be found right this way.

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Rachel Epstein
Rachel Epstein

Rachel Epstein is a writer, editor, and content strategist based in New York City. Most recently, she was the Managing Editor at Coveteur, where she oversaw the site’s day-to-day editorial operations. Previously, she was an editor at Marie Claire, where she wrote and edited culture, politics, and lifestyle stories ranging from op-eds to profiles to ambitious packages. She also launched and managed the site’s virtual book club, #ReadWithMC. Offline, she’s likely watching a Heat game or finding a new coffee shop.