Queen Elizabeth II met Donald Trump on Friday at Windsor Castle, a visit that her son Prince Charles and his son Prince William reportedly refused to attend. And while the Queen did her duty and met the U.S. president, her wardrobe choices while Trump was in the country may or may not have revealed her own thoughts on him. Twitter user @SamuraiKnitter pointed out in a viral Twitter thread that Elizabeth wore three brooches with heavy symbolism.
The day Trump arrived, Elizabeth chose to wear the brooch that Trump's predecessor President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama gave her during their last state visit to England—which, given Obama's reputation with the royal family versus Trump's, likely says something. It was purchased out of pocket as a personal gift to the Queen, reportedly from a jewelry store in D.C. The petite pin is vintage from the 1950s and made with 14-karat yellow gold, diamonds, and moss agate.
The next day during her actual meeting with Trump, she wore a diamond brooch she inherited from her mother, the one her mom wore to her father's state funeral.
And on Trump's last day in the UK, she debuted the Sapphire Jubilee Brooch, just given to her last year as a special gift from Canada. Trump did not meet with her, but the show of support for Canada could have been Elizabeth's way of responding to Trump's constant insulting of their leadership. Who knew three brooch choices could say so much without Elizabeth saying a word at all?
Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she's not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.
