Why Queen Elizabeth always wears this accessory on her birthday

Queen Elizabeth II was surrounded by her close family at this year’s celebration — along with the same accessory she wears every year.

Every year, Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her birthday in style with a parade known as Trooping the Colour.

This year was no exception, with most of the royal family — including Prince Louis, making his balcony debut, and Meghan Markle, returning from maternity leave — celebrating with the Queen in London.

LONDON, ENGLAND — JUNE 08: (L-R) Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during Trooping The Colour, the Queen's annual birthday parade, on June 8, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

But aside from her relatives, there’s another element that was once again by her side throughout the festivities: the Brigade of Guards brooch.

The Queen’s special brooch. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The special accessory honours the British and Commonwealth armies, and relates directly to the event itself. The brooch design combines the badges of the five regiments of the British and Commonwealth armies — Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards — that troop their colours (or carry their flags) every year for the Queen.

She wore it at the same event in 2018. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

And in 2017. Picture: AFP/Chris J Ratcliffe

The symbols are joined into one oval under the Latin phrase “Quinque Juncta In Uno,” which translates to “five joined as one.” The Brigade of Guards brooch was originally created for Queen Mary, Elizabeth’s grandmother, and was later passed down to her. (Perhaps one day Princess Charlotte will wear it on her own birthday.)

And, yes, it’s completely covered in diamonds. “The choice of this particular brooch represents the significance of natural diamonds to the Royal Family for life’s most meaningful milestones, such as a birthday,” diamond expert and gemologist Grand Mobley told Page Six Style.

“The Queen often wears diamonds for special occasions mainly because they are rare, authentic and precious, and have a great deal of emotional value.”

This story originally appeared in the NY Post and is republished here with permission