Queen Camilla pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth with a historic first
Queen Camilla has honoured her late mother-in-law with a special tribute at a royal engagement in London.
King Charles and Queen Camilla attended a reception at Mansion House in London on Wednesday evening, where the monarch called for unity amid increasing tensions over the conflict in Israel.
At the event, Queen Camilla donned Queen Elizabeth's favourite tiara for the first time in a subtle display of respect for the late monarch.
Camilla chose the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara for the event, which was worn by Queen Elizabeth regularly throughout her historic 70-year reign.
The diamond headpiece was first seen on Elizabeth II in the first official photographs of the new monarch, taken on February 26th 1952, just 20 days after her accession to the throne.
It was later worn during Her late Majesty's first visit to Australia in 1954, and became her most worn headpiece throughout her time as Queen.
Queen Camilla paired the tiara with two other of the late Queen's beloved pieces of jewellery, the South African diamond necklace and bracelet.
The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara originally belonged to Queen Mary, who received it as a gift in 1893.
It then came into Elizabeth II's collection in 1947 when Queen Mary gave it to her granddaughter as a wedding present.
At the royal event, King Charles gave a speech as he called for peace in Israel and Palestine, referring to himself "as King and as a father and a grandfather" as he appealed for calm.
He said, "I have often described the United Kingdom as a 'community of communities'; an island nation in which our shared values are the force which holds us together, reminding us that there is far, far more that unites us than divides us. Yet we are living in something of a watershed age."
"Do we pause, instinctively and unerringly, before speaking or acting to ensure we are affording equal weight to both sides of the balance? Our society would be a kinder and gentler place for it."
"Such understanding, both at home and overseas, is never more vital than at times of international turmoil and heart-breaking loss of life."
Image credits: Getty Images