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Her Majesty has been visible in public recently, despite carefully self-isolating along with the rest of the UK, with her historic addresses to the nation. The Queen always thoughtfully chooses her jewellery on any public occasions, and the special broadcasts were no exception. The Queen’s turquoise jewellery had an emotional meaning as she spoke to the nation about the coronavirus crisis, and her aquamarines commemorated the wartime sacrifices of an often-overlooked royal couple.

Her Majesty’s favourite stone of all, however, is said to be sapphire – which has a poignant connection to her beloved father King George VI.

On her 18th birthday in 1944, the King gave his daughter her first set of important jewels as she reached the milestone age – including a sapphire bracelet.

From then on, the King’s gifts of jewellery often featured the blue stone, which he noted to match the Princess Elizabeth’s eyes perfectly.

On her marriage to Prince Philip in 1947, the father of the bride gave Elizabeth a suite of Victorian sapphire jewellery.

The Queen loved the gift so much she later had a tiara and bracelet made to match.

Her Majesty’s favourite brooch is a sapphire one given to her by her father to mark the birth of Prince Charles in 1948.

In 2013, the Queen wore it to celebrate the christening of great-grandson Prince George.

The Queen has many more sapphire pieces in her collection, including a chrysanthemum brooch which she wore to celebrate Princess Anne’s christening.

In addition to newer pieces, the Royal Collection has some historic sapphires, too.

Her Majesty still wears Prince Albert’s sapphire brooch, the piece given to Queen Victoria on the eve of their wedding in 1840 and worn by every Queen since.

2017 marked Her Majesty’s Sapphire Jubilee, celebrating her 65 years on the throne.

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Writing for the Daily Mail in the jubilee year, historian Ian Lloyd said: “The anniversary of her accession is always a poignant occasion for The Queen, who once said she has only reigned so long because ‘my father died much too young.’

“This year, however, will provide a moment of particular reflection.

“The Queen has had a lifelong passion for sapphires, thanks to her ‘beloved Papa’, who noticed the cornflower blue gemstones – said to signify love, purity and wisdom – matched the colour of his daughter’s eyes.”

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