In the evening the Queen frequently dazzles with a range of diamond necklaces. Her parents gave her a Boucheron diamond and ruby necklace and the Cartier King George VI chandelier earrings as wedding presents.

Another wedding present from her father was the George VI Victorian Suite, originally made in 1850, consisting of a long necklace of oblong sapphires surrounded by diamonds and a pair of matching square sapphire earrings. In 1952 Elizabeth had the necklace shortened, and the largest sapphire in the necklace was removed and made into a new pendant.

She is pictured (above) wearing the King Faisal of Saudi Arabia necklace. This fringe necklace of of drop diamonds, set with brilliants and baquettes, was designed by American jeweler Harry Winston and presented to the Queen by King Faisal in 1967 during his state visit to England.

On less formal occasions, when the Queen is not required to wear her diamond necklaces and tiaras at state dinners, she always has recourse to a string of pearls.

Her grandfather King George V gave her a triple strand of pearls, when she was just nine, to celebrate his Silver Jubilee. To this day she still wears these pearls in the daytime. On the occasion of her wedding two pearl necklaces were given to Elizabeth by her father. They are known as the Queen Anne and Queen Caroline pearls, after their original owners. The combined value of the two single-row necklaces is said to be over £400,000.

Famously, Elizabeth wanted to wear the necklaces on her wedding day, but belatedly discovered that they were on display - with other wedding presents - at St. James's Palace. Her private secretary as despatched on foot through the wedding morning throngs to retrieve the two necklaces, and their pure simplicity complemented her lavishly embroidered dress.

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