Queen Camilla Favors Black and Blue for London Reception

Queen Camilla opted for cool, contrasting tones with a touch of sparkle for her wintertime attire during a reception at St. James’ Palace in London on Thursday.

The United Kingdom’s queen consort evoked wintery sartorial sensibility, wearing a dark blue dress with a sapphire and black jacket atop her frock. The statement jacket is one not oft worn by Queen Camilla, featuring modern details with a classic fit.

The long-sleeve jacket was cast in a sapphire tone — a color scheme Queen Camilla has worn in the past, including for the recent state visit by the President of Germany. The darker shade of blue served as a base of contrast for the dark lines of the jacket.

Situated on the body of the garment, the black lines ran vertically and along the neckline of the piece, creating a modern framing technique that only served to highlight Queen Camilla’s glittering diamond brooch, adorned near the queen consort’s shoulder. She further accessorized her ensemble with her signature Van Cleef & Arpels bracelets.

Given the occasion, Queen Camilla’s brooch may have born reference to the military-association of the St. James’ Palace reception. Though this wouldn’t be the first time the United Kingdom’s queen consort chose to honor the military with her jewelry choice.

Among the jewelry in her extensive brooch collection, Queen Camilla inherited the late Queen Elizabeth II’s regimental brooch, featuring the skull and crossbones symbol, following the long-reigning monarch’s death in 2022. In April 2024, the queen consort wore the brooch as a sign of respect and reverence during a visit to The Royal Lancers Regiment in Catterick, England.

Thursday’s royal reception at St. James’ Palace, which Queen Camilla hosted alongside husband King Charles III, celebrated the return of HMS Prince of Wales from an eight-month deployment with the Carrier Strike Group (CSG25), known as Operation Highmast.