This message #1 was written by Boffer pre-2013.

11. The Queen’s New Zealand Silver-Fern Brooch

   In 1953, The Queen visited New Zealand as part of the first large-scale tour she undertook of the Commonwealth. It was during this visit that she was presented with this brooch “in the form of a spray of Silver Fern, an important national emblem in New Zealand”.[1]

   This brooch was presented to The Queen on behalf of the women of Auckland, at Government House on Christmas Day, 1953.[2]

   It was presented by Lady Allum, who had chaired the committee to raise the funds for the gift; Lady Allum was the wife of the then Mayor of Auckland, Sir John Allum.[3]

   Roberts describes this brooch as being “set with brilliants and baguettes as a frond of the silver tree fern (Cyathea dealbata)”.[4]

   The Queen now wears this brooch occasionally, to engagements with a link to New Zealand.[5]

1. Guitaut, The Royal Tour, p. 68
2. Roberts, The Queen Diamonds, p. 299; RA F&V/VISOV/COMM/1953-4: Official Diary, vol. 1, p. 32
3. Roberts, The Queen Diamonds, p. 299
4. Ibid., p. 299
5. Ibid. p. 298