Many of us can only dream of the opulence that being a member of the British royal family entails.
However, sovereign members may receive presents from friends and acquaintances; these are regarded as personal gifts.
Despite the guidelines, which are not enforced, there remains much controversy surrounding the matter of royal gifts.
Let’s take a look at the most extravagant gifts the royal family has ever received.
But one hobby that has been popular throughout the generations is stamp collecting.
Over the years, the royals have accumulated a rather impressive not to mention expensive ensemble.
George V, in particular, was an avid philatelist.
In 1939, the Canadian government gifted his son, George VI, a selection of mint stamps.
In total, the collection is worth an eye-watering 100 million (around $124 million).
“Why not just merge the royal philatelic collection with the royal collection?
A lot of people have said that; me included,” argued philately expert Douglas Muir.
“Whether they would want it or not that would be another perfectly acceptable solution.”
Accordingly, horses have proven ideal gifts for the royals.
Nevertheless, the Queen gets what she wants and President Walter Scheel acquiesced.
Over the years, Elizabeth was given more horses.
Moreover, several dozen horses gifted by various Saudi royals proved highly lucrative indeed.
Subsequently, it comes as little surprise that his gift to Elizabeth was supremely opulent.
But not all tiaras are created equal.
Designed by Prince Albert, the ornate headpiece was originally owned by Queen Victoria.
As reflective of Britain’s colonial history, the tiara is largely inspired by traditional Indian finery.
Initially adorned with opals, these were replaced with stunning rubies that made the headpiece pop.
Subsequently, it’s worth a whopping 6 million (around $7.4 million).
The stunning headpiece is worth even more than the Oriental Circlet.
“We value the tiara at 7.5million (around $9.2 million).”
Elizabeth gifted Wills and Kate Anmer Hall, an 18th-century, 30-roomGeorgian mansion.
The House of Windsor and the Saudi royal family have been friendly for the best part of a century.
The People’s Princess was incredibly fond of the generous gifts, which she frequently donned at regal events.
The jewels were inherited by William and Harry followingDiana’s untimely death.
Their bond is so strong, in fact, that Charles went all out on Middleton’s wedding day.
The then Prince of Wales gifted his future daughter-in-law an exquisite and exorbitant diamond and white gold jewelry set.
Appropriately for her understated and demure sense of style, the jewels are chic, with classic accents.
The ring has a double diamond cluster."
The gesture clearly meant a lot to Middleton, who has worn the stunning jewels on multiple occasions.
These included a real fur cloak, a skateboard, a mini boat, and various toys.
But nothing quite matches the present he received for his first birthday.
“Four painters spent a month on it and they worked really, really hard.
But the gift was as expensive as it was ephemeral.
The jet was swiftly repainted once George’s birthday passed.
“Maybe one day he’ll be a pilot like his father and grandfather and remember us here.”
The monarch was rarely seen sans a cluster of freshwater oyster beads draped around her neck.
One of her most beloved pearlescent possessions was yet another regal gift courtesy of the Arab dynasties.
Among the offerings were two necklaces a pearl one and a longer gold pendant from the Emir of Qatar.
The latter alone was worth a staggering $2 million.
Today, that’s equivalent to around $8.3 million.
But it was the pearl necklace that Liz appeared to cherish the most.
The extravagant six-strand, diamond-clasped necklace was undoubtedly one of the most ornate pieces of jewelry the queen owned.
And at the top of her wish list was the Cartier French Tank watch.
“I had it engraved on the back, ‘To M.M.
and I plan to give it to my daughter one day.
That’s what makes pieces special, the connection you have to them.”
King Charles himself is an avid amateur artist, specializing in watercolors of the British landscape.
While many of these paintings were purchased by the royals, some were presents from the artists themselves.
Like his son, Prince Philip was a lover of the arts.
“He gave me this Bible he has illustrated, just out of the blue.
Accordingly, critics have argued that the royal art collection should be placed into public ownership.
“We would not comment on the value of works of art.”
Not bad for a rugrat who’d only just started walking.
The pair also share a taste in fine jewelry Cartier in particular.
Re-gifting watches are a common tradition within the royal family.
