22 Most Expensive Pieces of Jewelry From The Royal Family: Photos

Publish date: 2024-09-22

When the Royal family does anything social — from a star-studded event to a long-awaited wedding, everyone wants to know every detail. And one of the biggest questions the people want to be answered is, what fabulous jewels will the Royal family wear for the occasion? When Kate Middleton was preparing to walk down the aisle in 2011, everyone wanted to know which tiara she’d pick from the vault. The same thing happened with Meghan Markle’s big day. Without fail, the Royal family always brings the bling.

From pristine engagement rings to priceless brooches, the Royal family’s jewelry collection is stunning — and the prices are staggering. While many fans are familiar with the pieces, just as many don’t know the price tag on many beloved jewels in the Royal Vault. There’s so much history in each piece in the Royal Vault, most of which dates back over 100 years. Many of the jewels were gifts to the late Queen Elizabeth, and she gifted them for many of her family’s big days.

Once Queen Elizabeth II passed away on Sept 8, 2022, many of the royal family wore her beloved jewels as a way to honor their beloved, departed Queen, like the earrings she gifted Meghan Markle or her favorite pearl necklace that Kate Middleton wore multiple times.

From stunning tiaras to elaborate necklaces, check out some of the most expensive pieces of jewelry from the Royal family.

A version of this article was originally published in Oct 2021.

The Four Row Japanese Pearl Choker: ~$29,000
Catherine, Princess of Wales has subtly honored Queen Elizabeth II multiple times by wearing The Four Row Japanese Pearl Choker that the late Queen was gifted to her by Japan. Not only has Kate worn it, but so did the late Princess Diana back in 1982.
Princess Diana’s Aquamarine Ring: $90,000
On Dec. 6, Meghan Markle gave a subtle nod to Princess Diana at the 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala, wearing Diana’s prized aquamarine ring. Diana originally commissioned this sparkling ring from the British jewelry brand Asprey in the 1990s. It’s estimated to be around $90,000.
Lotus Flower Tiara: ~$100,000-$500,000
On Dec 5, 2022, Kate Middleton wore the beloved Lotus Flower Tiara during a Diplomatic Corps reception at Buckingham Palace. The tiara was originally Princess Margaret’s, given to her on her wedding day, and has since been worn a few times (once before by Kate in 2015 during a state banquet for Chinese President Xi Jinping!) She also wore the Queen’s Diamond Pendant Earrings.
The tiara goes for an unknown specific amount, but is believed to be upward of $500,000.
The Canadian Diamond Maple Leaf Brooch: $115K
Whether you saw it on the Queen or when Kate Middleton borrowed it, chances are you’ve seen this dazzling brooch. Originally given to the Queen Mother by her husband King George VI in the spring of 1939 during their trip to Canada, it’s become a staple piece for the British royal family. It’s said to be around $115,000.
York Tiara: $248K
Worn by Sarah Ferguson on her wedding day to Prince Andrew, the York Tiara actually broke royal tradition. Instead of choosing a tiara from the late Queen Elizabeth’s collection, the Queen actually bought this specifically for Sarah. It’s worth around £220,000, or around $248,000.
Queen Mary’s Choker Bracelet: $285K
Back in 2005, Kate Middleton made a splash when she wore this bracelet at a state banquet for Chinese President Xi Jinping at Buckingham Palace. Originally designed as a choker for Queen Mary, the gorgeous piece is now a bracelet, most worn by Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton. It’s said to be upwards of $285,000.
Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara: ~$460K
Originally purchased by Queen Mary in 1921 for £28,000, this stunning tiara would be worth nearly half a million dollars. The late Queen Elizabeth wore them on several occasions, opting to switch out the jewels most of the time. This unique tiara is able to switch in from the original pearls to Cambridge emeralds.
Diana & Kate’s Sapphire Engagement Ring: $675K
Arguably one of the most popular pieces of Royal jewelry is Princess Diana’s sapphire engagement ring — now worn by Kate Middleton. The iconic 12-carat statement piece is worth more than $675,000. It has continually been a source of inspiration for couples about to get engaged — in style if not price!!
Cartier Halo Scroll Tiara: ~$1-1.5 million
The Cartier tiara is one of the newest additions to the Royal jewel collection. It was originally bought in 1936 when Queen Elizabeth’s father bought it for his wife. It was gifted to Queen Elizabeth on her 18th birthday, and has been borrowed by many members of the Royal family for special occasions.
The most recent occasion: Kate Middleton wore it on her wedding day in 2011. The iconic tiara has hundreds of diamonds, placed in a beautiful swirled pattern, and is estimated to be worth around $936,000 to $1,560,300.
Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara: $1-2 million
The Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara has had a long history in the Royal family, dating back over a century ago. It was originally Queen Mary’s, but she later gave it to Princess Diana as a wedding present.
Its latest public appearance was when Kate Middleton wore it in 2018 at the State Banquet for King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands. The tiara features a Gothic Revival style, sporting a beautiful array of pearls and diamonds. It’s worth around $1-2 million.
Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau: ~$2.7 million
Queen Mary’s diamond bandeau is one of the most well-known pieces of jewelry in the Royal family, especially after Meghan Markle wore it on her wedding day in 2018. The remarkable headpiece is made of hundreds of diamonds set in platinum. Its value? Around $2.7 million.
St Edward’s Crown: ~$4.5 million
For King Charles III’s upcoming coronation, he’ll be wearing the St Edward’s Crown, the same crown his mother wore for her coronation in 1953. The crown is a part of the Crown Jewels, donning a solid gold frame and 444 stones — which makes it around ~$4,500,000, per British Heritage.
Belgian Sapphire Tiara: $6.8 million
On Dec 5, 2022, Camilla, Queen Consort wore the Belgian Sapphire Tiara during a Diplomatic Corps reception at Buckingham Palace. Also known as the Victorian Sapphire Tiara, it originally belonged to Queen Elizabeth II. It goes for around $6,800,000.
Circlet Tiara: ~$8 million
Prince Albert originally designed the circlet tiara for Queen Victoria. The gorgeous tiara has been worn in public just a handful of times, with Queen Elizabeth II only wearing it once. It’s worth around $8 million and features red rubies, hundreds of diamonds, and is sculpted into lotus flowers throughout.
Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara: ~$6.8-9 million
This sparkling tiara has been a favorite with the Royals. It was originally gifted to Queen Mary by Queen Victoria for her wedding in 1947. Since then, it has been used by multiple princesses as their “something borrowed” for their weddings.
It was worn by Queen Elizabeth II in 1947, Princess Anne in 1973 and more recently by Princess Beatrice for her wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in 2020. The stunning piece is made of recycled gold, silver, and diamonds, making it worth anywhere between $6.8 million and $9 million.
The Greville Festoon Necklace: $8.2 million
This Cartier necklace was handed down to the Queen, and since then Queen Camilla has worn it many times. The five-strand necklace is around 250 to 300 carats, with the main stone in the necklace being five carats alone. It is worth $8.2 million and, without fail, makes everyone’s jaws drop.
Prince Albert’s Brooch: ~$10,700,000
During Queen Camilla’s visit to Germany, she sported a stunning sparkling brooch to top off her outfit. She wore Prince Albert’s Brooch, a sapphire and diamond accessory that was loved by Queen Victoria and priced at around $10,700,000, per Antique Detector.
Diana’s Swan Lake Necklace: ~$12 million
This necklace was the last Royal jewel worn by Princess Diana before her passing. She wore it to a performance of Swan Lake. The 178-diamond pearl necklace was created by Crown jeweler Garrard and it’s now worth around $12 million.
Delhi Durbar Emerald Choker: ~$20 million
On Dec 2, Kate Middleton wowed everyone by wearing the Delhi Durbar Emerald Choker at the Earthshot Prize 2022, which is a piece of jewelry Princess Diana wore multiple times throughout her life. Per Regal Fille, the piece is around $20 million in USD, making it one of the most expensive pieces in the royal vault.
Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara: $6.5-13 million
This sparkling tiara made its public debut at Princess Eugenie’s wedding in 2018 to Jack Brooksbank. However, the sparkling tiara is over 100 years old and includes a 93.7-carat oval-shaped emerald in the center. Many jewelers estimate the dazzling jewel to be anywhere between $6.5 million to $13 million.
Queen Mary’s Crown: $50,000,000+
Per an announcement by the Palace on Feb 14, Queen Consort Camilla will be wearing Queen Mary’s crown during Charles’ coronation. Also according to the statement, they will be adding “Cullinan III, IV and V diamonds” to the 1911 crown. Per Robb Report, the diamonds by themselves are worth a whopping $50 million.
Kate’s Nizam of Hyderabad Necklace: ~$91-121 million
If there’s one thing Kate Middleton loves, it’s Cartier. And this Cartier-designed necklace is clearly at the top of her favorites list, since she’s been seen many times with it on. The legendary necklace features 38 sparkling diamonds, 13 emerald-cut diamonds, and a pear-shared drop center diamond. It’s one of the most expensive Royal jewels, with estimates of the necklace’s value ranging between $91 to $121 million.
Granny’s Chips Brooch: $100 million
One of the most popular, and possibly the most expensive, is Queen Elizabeth’s legendary brooch, called the “Queen’s Chips” or “Granny’s Chips.” It’s reportedly worth more than $100 million and features two humongous diamonds.