Princess Anne made a graceful appearance alongside the King at a palace reception, showcasing a stunning brooch that she’s had for over fifty years.
At the Butler Trust Awards ceremony held at St James’s Palace on Tuesday, the 74-year-old sported a belted forest green dress to honor criminal justice workers.
Complementing her pleated outfit, she wore gloves and a silk scarf featuring a white and green pattern.
While she usually favors pearls, this time she opted for a delicate gold chain necklace and drop earrings. A standout feature of her ensemble was a striking gold and diamond brooch, designed to resemble a knotted ribbon.
According to The Court Jeweller, this brooch has been part of Anne’s collection since at least 1969, and she has adorned it for numerous significant events, including her 70th birthday portraits in 2020.
The Princess was first photographed wearing the piece in 1969 when the royal family welcomed Apollo 8 Commander, Colonel Frank Borman, to Buckingham Palace.
Anne has also worn the brooch during a visit to Washington D.C. in 2014, at the Anzac Day service in 2015, and at Royal Ascot. While the origins of the brooch remain a mystery, its frequent appearances suggest it is one of her cherished accessories.
During the ceremony, Princess Anne, in her role as patron of the Butler Trust, presented awards honoring remarkable individuals in the fields of prisons, probation, and youth justice across the UK. Among the awardees was Jonathan Firth, a prison officer at HMP Swaleside, who received the Princess Royal’s Prize for Outstanding Achievement.
The Butler Trust Awards, established in 1985 in memory of former home secretary Richard Austen Butler, recognize excellence in the UK criminal justice system. Princess Anne has served as its patron since the awards’ inception and has hosted the ceremony annually, emphasizing the importance of recognizing outstanding practices in prisons and probation, as well as promoting training and resources for continued improvement.
