Over the years one hobby has dominated the royal family’s free time, and it appears even during official engagements they still pay tribute to this popular pastime with their style choices

When it comes to fashion, the royal family are no strangers to adding personal touches to their outfits, with Kate Middleton in particular often well known for her attention to detail when it comes to selecting the perfect accessory to complete a look. Yet it appears she’s far from the only member of the royal family to do so, as both Queen Camilla and Princess Charlotte have been spotted wearing a subtle homage to one of the late Queen’s most beloved passions in recent years.

Queen Camilla headed to Ascot last weekend, where she judged the “Best Turned Out Horse” for the Ebony Horse Club Reynoldstown Novice’s Chase race and met young people who have benefitted from the charity. At the event, which supports the Brixton-based community riding centre she has publicly backed for over 15 years, Camilla wore a stunning heirloom horseshoe Minoru Brooch, which was very on brand for the equestrian themed event.

Queen Camilla wore a horseshoe brooch when she attended an event at Ascot last weekend
According to The Court Jeweller, the sapphire and ruby Minrou Brooch dates back to the reign of King Edward VII, who commissioned the item to celebrate his horse Minrou’s success at the Epsom Derby as part of a series of commemorative souvenirs.

Yet Queen Camilla isn’t the only royal to have been spotted wearing a horseshoe brooch either, as Princess Charlotte also notably wore one to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in 2022 – a fitting tribute for the late monarch who was well known to love all things equine. The dazzling accessory, which was neatly studded with diamonds, was previously worn by the Queen Mother, and later passed to Charlotte as a gift from her granny Queen Elizabeth.

The Queen mother sports the same horseshoe brooch that Princess Charlotte went on to inherit ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

Princess Charlotte previously donned the historic horseshoe brooch at the Queen’s funeral

Princess Charlotte is even said to have taken up her great-grandmother’s hobby of horseback riding, with Princess Kate revealing to Paralympic Equestrian Natasha Baker back in October 2016 that: “Charlotte has this passion about horses, and although she doesn’t echo it, she’ll do her best to champion and encourage it.”

Princess Anne, a champion equestrian herself, has also kept the royal passion for horse riding alive, with her own numerous attendances at races around the country – all while sporting a golden horse brooch of her own. Unlike both Queen Camilla and Princess Charlotte who have opted for horseshoe designs, Princess Anne’s brooch features a running horse, with a diamond mane and tail.

Princess Anne also boasts an impressive equestrian themed broochThe love of horses hasn’t just been restricted to the female members of the family either, with Anne’s father the late Prince Philip, and both Prince Harry and Prince William all having displayed a notable passion for the sport of polo.