It's the picture the press have been waiting for: Camilla wearing a jewel worn by her former nemesis, Diana, Princess of Wales. Now the Duchess has obliged, resulting in much media coverage and yet more (perhaps unfair?) comparisons with the Prince's first wife.

The Duchess of Cornwall was pictured at the royal film premiere of The History Boys in London last Monday wearing a beautiful Prince of Wales pendant and pearl drop on her left shoulder. In reality, this story was always bound to appear, it being a fact that the royal jewels are loaned to generations of royal ladies.

However, the brooch which adorned Camilla has now been revealed to be a jewel which was given to Lady Diana Spencer as a wedding present from the Prince's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.....a woman in whose footsteps Camilla is increasingly treading, as reported here earlier this week.

The 'Ladies of Bristol' brooch was initially given to Queen Alexandra when she married the-then Prince of Wales, latterly King Edward VII. It is a jewel which became a great favourite of a more recent Princess of Wales — Diana.

The late Princess, as pictured in several of today's newspapers, wore the brooch in her own unique style, attached to a favourite necklace, it having been a wedding present from Charles.

However, as royal jewels expert Lesley Field explains: "It is important to understand that the brooch was only lent to Diana, otherwise people may get the impression that the Duchess has been rooting through Diana’s jewellery box."

"Diana was particularly fond of the brooch, however, because she was very much in love with her husband and proud to wear the Prince of Wales’s feathers."

"Since her marriage, Camilla has fairly much had her pick of the late Queen Mother’s jewellery, which has made Charles very happy. I think that by allowing her to wear such precious family heirlooms, the Queen is showing her support for her new daughter-in-law."

Indeed, Camilla's decision to wear the brooch is believed to stem from the fact Prince Charles was determined his second wife would wear the jewel which has become associated with successive Princesses of Wales (despite the fact Camilla has opted not to use the still highly emotive title).

Matters such as this are hugely important to the historically aware Charles. When Camilla appeared at her first Trooping the Colour ceremony in June 2005, she was pictured wearing the dress she wore for her wedding to the heir to the throne just weeks earlier.

The reason? Her proud new husband was determined to have a photograph of his "darling wife" standing on the Buckingham Palace balcony in her wedding dress.

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Name: tempest	Comment: Regardless of whether the brooch was on loan, it's not appropriate for Camilla to wear it. I think it is very bad taste for her to wear something that was so obviously a "Diana" piece. Charles should have something made for her. But then again he has never seem to be very considerate.

Name: Erik

Comment: By all rights as the wife of the Prince of Wales Camilla IS the Princess of Wales. Similarly, she will be Queen when Charles ascends to the throne. This is the exact reason that the divorce of Charles and Diana was expedited - If Diana had a pen in her hand ready to sign the divorce decree and the Queen (God save her) died then Diana would automatically become Queen. The the dead lie in peace. I loved Diana, but life is for the living. LEAVE CAMILLA ALONE!

Name: Jane

Comment: But that piece of jewelry did not belong to Diana. It was a family piece, wasn't it? I can't see what all the fuss is for. It's ridiculous. It's a piece of jewelry and nothing more. If Camilla stepped out in one of Diana's hats or used a bag or something then that is fair enough or indeed raided her PERSONAL jewelry for that matter. But these pieces are handed down and used by many. That's the way it goes.

Name: jj	Comment: What a lot of fuss over nothing. Why wasn't everyone up in arms when Camilla wore the brooch in July at the opening of the QM garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens. From all I have read I do not believe the brooch Camilla wears is the same as the one Diana used to wear as a necklace but even if they are I agree with Henri Ms comments.

Name: Rhenae	Comment: This is very disgusting that Camilla wore Diana's favorite brooch. Any jewelry that Diana wore should belong to William and Harry not that woman. What's next, the world will have to call her HRH,The Princess of Wales and she is seen in all of Diana's jewelry?

Name: Teri	Comment: Very well said HenriM, as usual. Let logic prevail here (occassionally)!

Name: granny

Comment: Very interesting comment Henri, and so true. I was fortunate enough to buy the special Illustrated London Times book on the Coronation of Edward VII and it has some wonderful hand colored portraits in it. The ones of Alexandra and Mary are just beautiful. I thought I remembered That the one of Mary as the Princess of Wales had her wearing a similar brooch, so I looked. The one she has on is shaped similar, but it's all diamonds. They sure wore a lot of Jewelry back then!!

Name: Henri M.

Comment: I'm nor pro-Camilla neither anti-Diana. I'm simply a guy with an interest in monarchies and both Diana and Camilla did and do a wonderful job as the spouse to The Prince of Wales. Each with their own unique characteristics and their own unique way of acting, clothing, laughing and talking. And about jewelry: well ladies, it are just glimmers. No relics. I thought that Diana's unique spirit and personality was vividly alive in your hearts and memories? Not in a stone here and a feather there? The reactions on Camilla of Cornwall proudly wearing The Prince of Wales' Feathers out of the legacy of the late Queen Elizabeth (!) seem to make the suggestion that people are not firmly standing in their shoes. If they already get blown away from a little similar-looking brooch, what will happen when she will wear King George IV's awesome State Diadem on her way to Parliament? Or is that not important? Ach... Victoria, Alexandra, Mary, Elizabeth, Elizabeth and Camilla... Diana has not touched that Diademe and so it is not 'holy'? If that is the case, tja, then it is all much ado about nothing. For once and for all, and I hope that posters will accept I have some knowledge: The brooch worn by the late Diana was NOT the same as worn by Camilla. Back then Diana wore the brooch which was given to HRH The Princess of Wales in 1860 (Princess Alexandra). That jewellery wasn't Diana's. It was loaned. The pieces in question were not made for her. They were not owned by her. They were not hers. The brooch worn by Camilla was of later date and did belong to Queen Mary (who inherited it from Queen Alexandra). But, even IF the Duchess of Cornwall had worn the same brooch, it is no disrespect to the memory of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. It is the other way round: she is rather honouring her spouse and his exalted position as The Prince of Wales, which is as it should be. He gave her family jewels to wear, and she is wearing them.

Name: Siobhan Morgan	Comment: This is absolutely disgusting, repulsive, and insulting. Camilla has no right to wear this jewellery. HM, Queen Alexandra and HRH, Princess Diana are spinning as well as doing all kinds of gymnastics in their graves! Charley and Camilla are not deceiving anyone. They're slowly going to have her using the title Princess of Wales.

Name: Rae

Comment: Compared side by side, they don't appear to be the same piece-and a number of similar brooches were made. But, whether it is or not, it's tacky for Camilla to have worn it. With the amount of jewels at her disposal, to pick one that was either one that Diana wore or closely resembles one that Diana wore is a perfect example of how insensitive the Duchess is. But, of course, we already knew that.

Name: granny	Comment: Henri, What bothers me about this section is the fact that you are perceived to be either Pro- Camilla and anti-Diana or Pro- Diana and anti-Camilla. There's no middle ground,you can't be of the opinion that both are okay. That's why some of us no longer post at all.

Name: Kathy Gebhardt	Comment: **I only wanted to state that we should compare the 22-years old Diana Spencer with the 22-years old Camilla Shand.** I've seen young camilla pictures. Doesn't make a bit of difference. She could look like Sophie Loren, and it wouldn't matter...she'd still be an accomplice to the end of two marriages.

Name: Jacqueline	Comment: Well this just turned my stomach...Can you say how Tacky? How dare she wear HRH Diana Princess of Wales jewelry..even if it was just on "loan" the fact that this woman STOLE her husband and is now wearing jewelry once worn by the Princess is disturbing to say the least.

Name: Henri M.

Comment: Thank you all for the reactions. That is all what an opinion forum is all about. If we did agree on everything, well... then it would become a quite sleepy affair, isn't it? Oh yes, for comparisons between Camilla and Diana's "unbeatable beauty" I only wanted to state that we should compare the 22-years old Diana Spencer with the 22-years old Camilla Shand. And not (as the Daily Mail does) place a picture of a 22-years old Diana next to a picture of the 60-years old Camilla.

Name: Toni	Comment: Joanne, what do half of these opinions have to do with the article? Its right to give people the opportunity to voice their opinions, but you DID ask once that people at least stick to the topic!

Name: Trudie	Comment: Kathy I just love your comments you are absolutlely right a big RED A studded in diamonds Henri what a shame that you cannot be more charitable to the memory of a young woman who gave so much but received little in return from her husband because of THAT WOMAN

Name: Tosh	Comment: Much ado about nothing! Let Camilla wear whatever she wants from the Royal Collection. Its not as if Diana owned the brooch after all!

Name: M-M	Comment: IMO the jewellry is there , Camilla has access to it , good taste and self restraint are not her characteristics , so she will wear it , any piece she wants to . If she can stand the comparisons which the newspapers will always draw with the beautiful Diana wearing the same pieces , then let her .

Name: Trudie

Comment: The discussion is about the brooch not who Diana slept with and that would not have happened if Charles had been faithful in the first, place that's another discussion. The point that people find replusive is that Camilla, like her Great Grandmother Alice Kappel, were mistresses to the Prince of Wales and the brooch belonged to Alexandra and Diana also wore it and they were the Princesses of Wales. What is repulsive is that Camilla would wear something associated with both women and both caused heartbreak to Alexandra and Diana.

Name: LittleMo

Comment: Henri - I agree. It seems that some posters are still complaining about Camilla wearing jewellery previously worn by Diana when, in this very sequence of comments, including yours, it has been clearly stated more than once not to be the case. I too am disappointed about how many people are so full of bad feelings and have the time and energy that all they want to do is continually moan and critise on this site. Sadly now I generally only look at the factual news items on the site and factual sections in the forum eg jewels and fashion so as to minimise unnecessary exposure to such unpleasantness. Its a crying shame !!!

Name: shelley	Comment: It is a pity that I have to conclude that nothing has changed and that those with nasty comments about Diana continue to be bitter, again and again. Shelley

Name: Diana Wessler

Comment: Henri it's good to have you back, even if I don't agree with some of your opinions, mainly your defense of the current spouse of the Prince of Wales, a questionable legal union at that. You state it is a pity to return to the board to find the same opinion of Camilla. First of all, surely you must realize that these opinions reach much further than the posters on the Royalist board. They are the opinions of the big money writers running the media press in England. Yes, Diana still makes money for them, but also, there are many people in this world, very powerful ones, that will never forget what was done to Diana, the young and innocent Diana, by two very seasoned, knowledgable adults. Henri, they did Diana wrong, period. No debate there. Diana's later indescretions were excused by many, because really what was she to do? Sit home and waste her life while her husband was out with another man's wife? Knowing her husband's heart belonged somewhere else, was this young woman supposed to rot away with noone to share her life with because of duty? Her husband sure wasn't going to sit back and do his duty without his Camilla. As for the numbers that claim to be Diana's lovers, she herself has only confirmed one. The rest are all hearsay. She confirmed one relationship with Hewitt. Dr. Kahn has had the graciousness to her memory to not speak of their relationship, but I suspect according to Mr. Burrell that was the real thing for them both. Other than that, there are many making claims that hold no warrant. The comment I made about the jewels, was obviously not about the diamonds themselves, but about the beauty that lies beneath the wearer of them. And I am speaking internal beauty, not external. Beauty is as beauty does and Mrs. Camilla Parker Bowles does not radiate an inner beauty. She destroyed a young girl. She will always be labeled with that and quite honestly she should. You just don't mess with another woman's husband. That is one of the most vile forms of disrespect to one's own gender. Camilla will always wear that dirty crown and this is a crown that will never shine.

Name: Kathy Gebhardt

Comment: **Doesn't Keppel's family have something more suitable for Camilla to wear?** How about a scarlett letter? **To all the posters who keep referring to her as 'the mistress' I would like to say that I preferred The Prince of Wales having "a continuing, extramarital relationship with one woman, providing an exclusive and continuing liaison" (following the dictionary) above the way the former Princess of Wales generously gave free way to her love life to a whole series of men who at present day can claim to have slept with the mother of England's future King.** Camilla is the eternal mistress. Sorry, she just is....and as far as you bringing up the supposed 'series of men' Diana supposedly had, it doesn't surprise me. It's sad that people actually believe these wannabe lovers and their tales of fantasy about a woman who, oddly enough!!...is not here to defend herself. What does this tell us people?... I find that charlesphiles find that the only defense they have to fight back at the ridicule against their heros is to bring in a lame Diana comment in an attempt at comparing sins...like this is suppose to make charles and camilla "look better" by trashing Diana's supposed line up of lovers....cracks me up every time. There is no other way for people to come back other than to bash Diana. This is because what is being said about charles and camilla, sadly, is factual. It doesn't matter if it is the same brooch or not. The brooch really isn't the issue. It is the character of the individual who is wearing it, and the sad little man who gave it to her. As far as the queen goes, she's stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Name: Giovanni	Comment: Yes, Henri M. But Camilla's a colorful sexual life prevented her to marry Charles. Lord Mountbatten said she was mistress material. Camilla had a past for sure! Camilla Shand had been dismissed by Lord Mountbatten of Burma as a potential spouse for the heir to throne, reportedly due her sexual "experienceS", and her lack of suitably aristocratic lineage. He was right!

Name: Henri M.

Comment: It is a pity that I, returned to this board after a while, have to conclude that nothing has changed and it still has the same and again and again predictable pattern of reactions on the present spouse to The Prince of Wales. Conveniently ignoring what other posters have stated that the two brooches were NOT the same or even claiming that diamonds sparkled more when lady X wore it than when lady Y did, as if a diamond (100% carbon with the chemical formula C like the graphite coming from your pencil) would even cáre. To all the posters who keep referring to her as 'the mistress' I would like to say that I preferred The Prince of Wales having "a continuing, extramarital relationship with one woman, providing an exclusive and continuing liaison" (following the dictionary) above the way the former Princess of Wales generously gave free way to her love life to a whole series of men who at present day can claim to have slept with the mother of England's future King.

Name: shelley	Comment: Well said Mrs Coombs, we should not forget the Keppel connection, which as you say just makes the whole thing all the more repulsive. Shelley

Name: valmae	Comment: From what I can see the earrings look totally amazing. Are these heirlooms as well?

Name: udyusa	Comment: You are so right, Giovanni. I read the article that you are referring to . Unfortunately, I do not know how to send the link as it was in a different site. Too bad, it was extremely interesting. Maybe someday I will learn how to send....

Name: Mrs Coombs

Comment: I must commment further. The fact that these pieces belonged to Alexandra, the wife of Edward who was tortured by Camilla's ancestor, Alice Keppel, long time mistress of the then POW/King, makes this all the more repulsive. I am sure the lovely Alexandra is turning over in her grave knowing that Keppel's ggrandaugther, who also was responsible for ruining a Royal marriage, is wearing HER jewelery! Doesn't Keppel's family have something more suitable for Camilla to wear?

Name: Elizabeth	Comment: I hate to admit it, but when I see Camilla, my grandmother's voice is loud and clear:You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Elizabeth

Name: Mrs Coombs

Comment: This is the height of bad taste!! All jewellery belonging and/or worn by HRH Diana, Mother of the next King of England, should be given to her sons for their wives, with no exception. Further, it does not work in Mrs Parker Bowles's favour to wear anything belonging to Diana, as she must know the comparison will be made and she (Camilla) will emerge on the losing end.Very tacky indeed! What were the Cornwalls thinking?

Name: M-M	Comment: If Camilla (or Charles) choose to set up a basis for comparison with Diana , Camilla is going to be the loser. Diana's fresh and lovely face above the jewell makes Camilla's look old , wrinkled , over-made up and sly in comparison IMO. The Tabloids have been waiting for this . Camilla would do well to avoid anything which allows the comparison . It is too cruel .

Name: Giovanni	Comment: Camilla has now a powerful enemy: Prince Charles's senior staff. Palace insiders say she is lazy and too demanding. There is an interesting article in Daily Mail about her and Charles.

Name: udyusa

Comment: I'm sorry, but for the life of me, I cannot understand how these two can go out in public, smiling, showing off , as if it's no big deal. How sad, Charles, that you feel that you have to drape your mistress in not only the Queen Mother's jewels, but now Diana's favorites. Sorry, it just won't work. Camilla does Not do justice to any of the jewels and she never will. Sorry, Charles. To the article, Joanne !!

Name: udyusa	Comment: Do you really think that the duchess cares? This is what she has schemed for, longed for, planned for. Unfortunately, no matter how hard she tries, she just doesn't have'IT' and she Never will. My heart bleeds..

Name: shelley	Comment: Unfortunately when people see Camilla wearing Diana's jewels it does bring up the past. Perhaps Camilla might do well to realise that. Shelley

Name: Jean Sue Libkind	Comment: No good piece of jewelry should go unworn.

Name: Diana Wessler	Comment: I could not help noticing the difference in how the brooch looked on each woman. On Diana, they shimmered and were radiant. On Camilla, they appeared somewhat dull and have lost their shine. Read into what you wish, but the jewels are sending a message!

Name: Karmen Day

Comment: It was bound to happen soon or later and what I think is repulsive is this constant bickering among people who are just using every excuse to pick on Charles and Camilla. Seriously there must be something more important than rehashing the same old drama over how Charles and Camilla are such horrible people. It's over and done with... move on, Diana did and if she did than so can people who have no bearing on the situation!

Name: Donovan	Comment: With all the jewels at her disposal, why? Charles and Camilla, you are both disgusting people

Name: Henri M.

Comment: The brooch proudly bears The Prince of Wales' Feathers and is to be worn by his spouse. There are actually TWO very similar broches in one and the same set: one with the Prince of Wales' Feathers and one with a leek. This smaller brooch of the same set was worn by the Duchess at Garter Day and in Scotland as well. The Prince of Wales' Feathers was -understandably- a much loved theme for all previous Princesses of Wales. But for the good understanding: the pendant as worn by Diana was not the same. It had a more open structure and was a smaller one than the Duchess wore this week. But even if it was the same indeed: the pendant was nor Diana's neither it is Camilla's. It is attached to the spouse or a daughter(-in-law) of The Prince of Wales, whatever her name might be.

Name: Kathy Gebhardt	Comment: Makes perfect sense to me....that they are a bunch of repulsive snakes.

Name: Diana M

Comment: Have any of you by any chance noticed that those are different pieces of Jewel, though of course both are Prince of Wales Feathers brooch. Camilla's has 20 brilliant cut diamonds around the circle plus the brilliant cut emeralds, small brilliant diamonds for the uprights of the feathers, 3 brilliant cut diamonds for the plumes and 3 small emeralds either side. It also has a baguette diamond or 3 small diamonds going across the feathers. The Bail cap is a simple tiered design. Diana's one has 18 brilliant diamonds around the circle plus the brilliant cut emeralds, 2 brilliant cut diamond and 6 smaller diamonds for the plumes, no emeralds at the side of the uprights, instead it has diamonds. The Bail cap and lower work on the feather supports is wirework. The Emeralds are a different shape, Camilla's is called a raindrop and Diana's a teardrop. This has been noticed by other member, so thanks to her. Besides, even if it were same pieces of Jewel, Camilla is the rightful Princess of Wales now and she is entitled to wear all jewels, that belong to Princess of Wales. This piece did not belong to Diana personally, it was given to her. Had Camilla worn the Lover's Knot Tiara, that would be different question, but wearing Prince of Wales Feathers brooch is her right. And personally I think she looked fabulous with the brooch.

Name: Mel

Comment: The brooch is part of a whole set of jewellery that were originally given to Queen Alexandra and eventually passed to Queen Mary, then to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Eventually the brooch was worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, mainly because the motif of the brooch is the Prince of Wales feathers. It was never Diana’s personal jewellery; it was only loaned to her, because she was married to the Prince of Wales. Camilla has in the past worn different brooches and earrings from the set and now this brooch. Camilla is the Princess of Wales. I think she should were this brooch. She is entitled to it and it suits her very well.

Name: USRoyalist	Comment: Initially incensed by the headline, I realized after I read the article that if indeed the brooch was originally Queen Alexandra's when she married the Prince of Wales, then, Camilla, as the current Princess of Wales does have a right to wear it now. (And I'm NO fan of Camilla.) At least she had the sense not to wear it as a necklace in imitation of Diana.

Name: AnnT	Comment: Thanks Joanne..now I understand after reading it again! That's why Camilla isn't wearing it with the necklace..and hopefully never will!

Name: Chris Roman	Comment: People are still sensitive regarding Diana period. It would of been in better taste if Camilla wore more of the QM jewelry than what Diana had. She already wears her clothes...

Name: Nadezhda	Comment: Just when I was ready to give them a break.... whew. What chutzpah. I'm beginning to wonder if my opinion of them can go any further down. Thank God I'm an American.

Name: Joanne	Comment: Hi AnnT The necklace was given to Diana by the Prince as a wedding gift. The brooch is a separate entity - this is what the Queen Mother gave to Diana as a wedding gift. The late Princess simply combined the two to make one piece. Hope this makes sense Joanne

Name: AnnT	Comment: Joanne..Why does it say that both the QM and Charles gave this brooch to Diana as a wedding gift? I think Charles is a disgusting man who obviously never had feelings for Diana except to use her as his broodmare. It looks like Camilla does whatever Charles wants..including wearing her wedding dress at the Trooping the Colour ceremony!

Name: Diana Wessler

Comment: If indeed this piece was made specifically for Diana, whether on loan or not, it was designed for Diana and Diana is the only Princess of Wales to wear it, then Camilla is indeed taking the chance of stepping on toes wearing a piece that was specifically for Diana and one that was very special to Diana. Maybe I should say it is more like Camilla shoving it down throats. I am not surprised as she has been successful in copying and stealing the rest of Diana's life, why should the jewels escape her greedy hands.

Name: Kathy Gebhardt	Comment: Disgusting...these people are disgusting.