For centuries, the world of high jewellery has been intertwined with royalty, with specific ateliers serving as the official suppliers to kings, queens and noble families.
Garrard, for instance, served as the Crown Jeweller for many years and famously created Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara, which has been worn by five generations of the Royal Family, including Queen Elizabeth on her wedding day and, more recently, Princess Beatrice.
Other esteemed brands, such as Kiki McDonough and Cartier, are chosen personally by individual royals. Both Princess Diana and Meghan Markle have shown particular loyalty to the latter, reflecting their refined tastes.
Whether crafting coronation crowns, wedding tiaras, or intricate heirlooms to mark life’s major occasions, these jewellers bring exceptional skill, history and tradition to each creation.
Below, we explore these iconic houses – and highlight a holiday splurge item for those ready to indulge this Christmas.
Garrard
Established in 1735 by master silversmith George Wicks, Garrard became the first official Crown Jeweller under Queen Victoria in 1843, holding this title until 2007.
During its 164-year tenure, Garrard crafted iconic pieces for the monarchy, including the King’s Imperial State Crown and Queen Mary’s Crown, worn by Queen Camilla at her coronation.
Though no longer the official Crown Jeweller, Garrard maintains a close bond with the Royal Family, with recent appearances of its designs on Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice.
Among Garrard’s notable royal creations is Queen Mary’s fringe tiara, cherished by Queen Elizabeth II and worn at her wedding. It was most recently worn by Princess Beatrice
One of Garrard’s most famous pieces is Princess Diana’s 12-carat blue sapphire and diamond engagement ring
Among Garrard’s notable royal creations are the Lover’s Knot Tiara, beloved by Diana now often worn by Kate, and the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara, cherished by Queen Elizabeth II.
One of the most famous pieces, however, is Diana’s 12-carat blue sapphire and diamond engagement ring.
The choice of a catalogue ring rather than a custom-designed piece broke royal tradition, making it possible for others to purchase the same engagement ring.
Christmas splurge: Starlight shooting star earrings – £12,500
Garrard’s £12,500 Starlight Shooting Star jacket earrings evoke the brilliance of the night sky
Kiki McDonough
Jewellery designer Kiki McDonough has built a celebrated career, winning the admiration of Princess Diana, Princess Kate and Queen Camilla.
Known for her distinctive, colourful gemstones, McDonough’s brand has become synonymous with luxury, wearability and classic British style.
Her commitment to exquisite craftsmanship and responsibly sourced materials shines in every collection, embodying her family’s long-standing dedication to the art of jewellery.
As a fifth-generation jeweller and the first woman in her family to join the trade, McDonough has made her mark by emphasising bold, vibrant colour and designs that complement the modern lifestyle.
Diana famously wore a pair of striking pearl and amethyst earrings by Kiki McDonough to meet then-First Lady Barbara Bush in 1985
Today, Kate holds a special fondness for Kiki McDonough, having showcased 21 pairs of earrings by the brand
Diana famously wore a pair of striking pearl and amethyst earrings by Kiki McDonough to meet then-First Lady Barbara Bush in 1985.
Today, Kate holds a special fondness for the detachable gemstone earrings, which allow wearers to customise each look by swapping out different stones.
Each design, from vibrant fire opals to pink morganites, embodies a joyful, heirloom quality cherished by generations.
Christmas splurge: Snowflake detachable earrings – £2,300
Two looks in one make Kiki McDonough’s snowflake diamond detachable earrings, costing £2,300, a jewellery must-have
Van Cleef & Arpels
The legacy of Van Cleef & Arpels began in Paris in 1895, with the union of Estelle Arpels, daughter of a gem dealer, and Alfred Van Cleef, a lapidary’s son.
Sharing a passion for gems, they founded their Maison in 1906. Their daughter, Renée Puissant, brought innovation and vision to the brand as Artistic Director, defining the Maison’s iconic style with her creative flair.
Queen Camilla has long been an admirer of Van Cleef & Arpels, amassing a beautiful collection of pieces, including earrings, necklaces and bracelets.
Among her most-loved is the Alhambra line, with its iconic lucky clover motif, which she is rarely seen without.
Camilla has long been an admirer of Van Cleef & Arpels, amassing a beautiful collection of pieces, including earrings, necklaces and bracelets
Kate has also worn pieces from Van Cleef & Arpels’ Magic Alhambra collection
Camilla’s Alhambra bracelets and necklaces are part of her daily style, while on special occasions, she often chooses their exquisite earrings.
Kate has also worn pieces from Van Cleef & Arpels’ Magic Alhambra collection.
Twice, she has chosen the Magic Alhambra mother-of-pearl earrings, paired with a matching necklace.
Christmas splurge: Vintage Alhambra bracelet – £5,000
The Vintage Alhambra bracelet, available from Van Cleef & Arpels for £5,000, features beautiful carnelian stones
Mappin & Webb
Founded in 1775 as a silversmith business in Sheffield, Mappin & Webb quickly earned a reputation for exceptional craftsmanship, becoming a favourite among royalty, in particular French Queen Marie Antoinette.
Queen Victoria was the first British monarch to commission Mappin & Webb, selecting the brand to craft her Golden Jubilee necklace in 1888, later designated as a Crown heirloom.
By 1897, Mappin & Webb received its first British Royal Warrant, issued during Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, which marked the brand’s expansion into London’s Oxford Street.
Since then, Mappin & Webb has held multiple royal warrants, including those from Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III, reflecting its longstanding ties to the monarchy.
In addition to its royal warrants, Mappin & Webb has served as an official jeweller to the British Army, creating commemorative items for formal ceremonies.
Internationally, the company historically held warrants from both the Russian Empire and the Japanese Imperial Household.
Since 2017, Mark Appleby, the company’s head, has served as Crown Jeweller, responsible for maintaining the Crown Jewels.
One of Mappin & Webb’s notable creations is the orchid brooch worn by Queen Elizabeth II during the first Irish state visit to Britain in 2014.
One of Mappin & Webb’s notable creations is the orchid brooch worn by Queen Elizabeth II during the first Irish state visit to Britain in 2014
Kate owns Mappin & Webb’s Empress necklace and earring set, pieces she has worn on several special occasions
This delicate brooch features hand-cut Waterford Crystal orchids with rose gold stamens and 66 diamonds, a collaboration between Mappin & Webb and Waterford Crystal.
Created to honour the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, the brooch symbolically unites British and Irish craftsmanship.
Kate, meanwhile, owns Mappin & Webb’s Empress necklace and earring set, pieces she has worn on several special occasions.
Mappin & Webb’s history of royal commissions underscores its commitment to quality, with a legacy that includes everything from elegant jewellery to prestigious ceremonial pieces.
Christmas splurge: Renee ribbon bangle – £5,500
The £5,500 Renee bangle by Mappin & Webb showcases round brilliant and baguette diamonds that loop around one another to create a ribbon silhouette
Boodles
Boodles, a distinguished British fine jewellery brand, has a heritage unlike any other.
Founded in Liverpool, it has been family-owned and operated for over 200 years, spanning six generations.
The brand’s story intertwines with the lives and aspirations of the Wainwright family, whose enduring passion and resilience helped transform a local business into an internationally recognised name.
The journey began in 1798 when the Kirk family established a jewellery business, later acquiring Boodle and Dunthorne.
Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza Spencer, twin daughters of Charles, the 9th Earl Spencer, and his first wife Victoria Lockwood, are brand ambassadors for Boodles
Henry Wainwright, originally trained as a watchmaker under his uncle in Leicester, moved to Liverpool and managed Kirk & Co, a prestigious jeweller known for Admiralty chronometers and pieces crafted for nobility.
In 1898, Henry took over the Liverpool branch, which became H. Wainwright & Sons, with his sons. In 1910, his sons, Herbert and Harold, purchased Boodle and Dunthorne, revitalising the business.
Boodles continued to grow, opening its current headquarters on Liverpool’s Lord Street in 1921.
The brand expanded under Anthony Wainwright, with new locations in Chester and Manchester, opening its first Bond Street store in 2007.
In 2023, Boodles was awarded British Luxury Brand of the Year at the Walpole British Luxury Awards.
That same year, Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza Spencer, twin daughters of Charles, the 9th Earl Spencer, and his first wife Victoria Lockwood, were announced as brand ambassadors.
Christmas splurge: A Family Journey Geneva aquamarine necklace – £260,000
The exquisite Geneva necklace is set with pear, marquise and oval cut aquamarines and diamonds in platinum, earning it a hefty price tag of £260,000
Tiffany & Co
Founded in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany, Tiffany & Co quickly became a premier name in luxury jewellery.
Tiffany introduced major gemstones to the United States, earning the brand the title ‘The Diamond Kings.’ This legacy continued with the debut of the Tiffany Setting engagement ring in 1886, solidifying its reputation.
Since the mid-19th century, the Tiffany Blue Box has been an iconic symbol of elegance and exclusivity.
The brand is defined by the work of just three renowned designers: Elsa Peretti, Jean Schlumberger and Paloma Picasso.
Their creative brilliance has shaped Tiffany’s timeless and celebrated designs, carefully curated to maintain its prestige in fine jewellery.
At Wimbledon in 1994, Diana was photographed wearing 18-carat gold woven earrings and a matching bracelet from Tiffany & Co
Kate owns a handful of pieces from Elsa Peretti’s collection for Tiffany & Co, including a dainty pair of earrings
Tiffany’s relationship with the British Royal Family is notable. Kate owns pieces from Elsa Peretti’s collection, while Princess Diana famously wore Tiffany’s Signature Series.
At Wimbledon in 1994, Diana was photographed wearing a pair of lavish 18-carat gold woven earrings and matching five-row bracelet.
These pieces were displayed in 2022 at the Vision and Curiosity exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery, which celebrated Tiffany’s 150-year presence in London and included a tribute to its history with nine stores across the city.
Christmas splurge: Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany sixteen stone ring – £9,500
Imagined by Jean Schlumberger in 1959, the Tiffany & Co cross-stitch motif was inspired by his family’s roots in textiles. This sparkling ring is priced at £9,500
Cartier
In 1847, Louis-François Cartier took over his mentor Adolphe Picard’s workshop in Paris, marking the foundation of Maison Cartier.
Cartier’s entry into elite society began when Princess Mathilde, cousin to Emperor Napoleon III, acquired a Cartier piece in 1856, raising the brand’s profile in Paris and across the globe.
Louis Cartier, the founder’s grandson, later joined and played a pivotal role in transforming the brand.
Under his guidance, Cartier received its first royal warrant from King Edward VII, soon becoming the official jeweller to various royal courts, including those of Spain, Siam and Russia.
In 1909, Louis’ brother, Pierre, expanded Cartier’s influence by opening a London boutique coinciding with Edward VII’s coronation.
And Cartier’s relationship with royalty endures to this day.
Meghan wearing her Cartier Juste un Clou necklace, which is priced at £12,800
Diana wore her Cartier Française Tank watch several times throughout the 1990s. Meghan has worn the same watch countless times since marrying Prince Harry
Kate wore the historic Cartier Halo Tiara at her wedding to Prince William in 2011
Meghan is known for her Cartier Love bracelet, which launched in 1969, and her Cartier Juste un Clou necklace. She also treasures Princess Diana’s Tank Française watch, a gift from Prince Harry.
Meanwhile, Kate wore the historic Cartier Halo Tiara at her wedding, as well as the Ballon Bleu watch in the years that followed.
Queen Elizabeth II’s extensive jewellery collection included a variety of Cartier brooches, further underscoring the French firm’s role in royal fashion.
Christmas splurge: Diamond Love bracelet – £17,500
Cartier’s iconic diamond Love bracelet, available for £17,500, is set with 10 brilliant-cut diamonds
Libelula
Camilla Austad Knutsen, the jewellery designer behind the brand Libelula, creates sophisticated yet understated pieces that resonate with those who value timeless style, including Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
Austad Knutsen’s designs are all about elegance and quality, aiming to capture the natural beauty of the world around her. ‘In my jewellery, I aim for beautiful timeless design and use the finest stones available. I’d rather wait months for the perfect green agate than use an inferior one that I can have immediately,’ she told Hello!
Camilla Austad Knutsen, the designer behind the brand Libelula, creates jewellery for Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit (pictured)
Her focus is on nature, which inspired the name of her brand – Libelula, the Spanish word for dragonfly.
She values sustainability and strives to ensure that every design is made with care for the planet, steering clear of mass production.
Based in Oslo, with a second home in Andalucia, she found skilled goldsmiths in Spain in 2012 and started her journey as a designer in 2013.
Today, she collaborates closely with them to bring her nature-inspired designs to life. Her creations are made from 14 and 18-carat gold, with diamonds certified by the GIA scale, ensuring top-notch quality in every piece.
Christmas splurge: Love ring – £2,082
This alluring ring from Libelula features a 1.5-carat red garnet shaped into a heart
