Camilla’s copycat jewellery: How Prince Charles' wife takes after Princess Diana

Princess Diana, who died on August 1997 age 36, was an international trendsetter.

The beautiful royal was known for her charity work as well as her stunning style.

Whatever the Princess of Wales wore, hundreds of copycats were created.

And it seems that another royal is highly influenced by Diana’s creative take on jewellery.

Princess Diana often made changes to the jewels she was given as gifts from royals, both British and foreign.

This includes an enormous sapphire brooch she was given by the Queen Mother as a wedding gift.

Diana had it made into a stunning stunning seven-strand pearl choker.

The Princess of Wales was a pioneer of the pearl strand choker trend, which was big in the 80s and into the 90s.

Now, Camilla Parker Bowles is often seen wearing jewellery in a very similar style.

Most notable is the pink topaz choker with five strands, reported to be a wedding gift from Prince Charles.

The brooch that makes up the necklace and matching earrings were sold at an auction in June 2000 for £22,925, five years before Camilla and Charles married.

Camilla also has a three strand pearl choker with an aquamarine clasp which may be inspired by Diana’s emerald choker.

Even Camilla’s favourite necklace a four strand small diamond clasp, is very similar to one Diana wore at The Victoria And Albert Museum For The Splendours Of The Gonzagas Exhibition Gala in 1981.

What happened to Princess Diana’s choker? 

The last time the stunning piece was worn by Princess Diana was in 1996 at the Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute Gala which featured a 50 year retrospective of Dior.

The necklace has not been seen since for 22 years. Will Kate Middleton or Meghan Markle ever wear it?

It has been reported that the two diamonds in Meghan’s engagement ring come from this piece, however, this has not been confirmed.

Camilla Parker Bowles’ jewellery collection is extensive, but large amounts of it will actually belong to Prince William one day. 

Camilla Parker Bowles jewellery favourites include many pieces once owned by the Queen Mother. 

Camilla favours the Greville tiara which was designed in 1921 for the Hon. Mrs Grenville and then given to the Queen Mother when she died.

Who is Camilla Parker Bowles?

Camilla Parker Bowles is the Duchess of Cornwall and wife of Prince Charles.

Family life

Camilla was born on 17 July 1947 at King’s College Hospital, London, England.

Her parents were Major Bruce Shand and Rosalind Cubitt, the daughter of a baron.

She has a younger sister Annabel Elliot, 69, and a younger brother Mark Shand who passed away in 2014. He sadly died after falling and hitting his head.

Education

Camilla first attended Dumbrells school in Ditchling before moving onto Queen’s Gate School in Queen’s Gate, South Kensington at age 10, where she was known as “Milla”.

She attained one O-level before attending a Mon Fertile finishing school in Tolochenaz, Switzerland.

She then went on to study French at the University of London Institute in Paris.

First marriage to Andrew Parker Bowles

Camilla married Andrew Parker Bowles, an officer, on 4 July 1973, when Camilla was 26. The Queen Mother and Princess Anne attended the big day.

The couple have two children, Tom, who Prince Charles is a godfather to, and Laura.

The couple divorced amicably in March 1995.

Marriage to Prince Charles

Prince Charles told in his biography that he and Camilla had rekindled their love in 1986 after his marriage had “irretrievably broken down”.

They announced their engagement in February 2005, which was the Queen Mother’s.

It is thought to be one of the most valuable rings in the royal collection.

They wed on April 2005 at Windsor Guildhall, where Prince William acted as a witness for the pair, before honeymooning in Scotland at Prince Charles’ home in Birkhall.