From Queen Elizabeth II to Meghan Markle - the Watches of the British Royal Family

While many consider the British Monarchy to be obsolete and vestiges of a bygone era, it remains true that the Royals are still the subject of intense scrutiny and intrigue. While everyone knows of the world famous Crown Jewels, the jewelry of the current and former monarchy, not as many people know what the Royal Family wear on their wrists. We previously discussed the watches of all former living U.S. Presidents, so it made sense to also hop across the pond and take a look at the wristwear of the British Royal Family.

Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II is the current Queen of the British Monarcy, having served in the role since she was 25 years old, when her father died in 1952. As of today, Elizabeth is the longest-lived and longest-reigning British monarch, though her position is mostly ceremonial.

Elizabeth has been seen wearing many different timepieces. However, her most unique watch is perhaps her 18k gold Patek Philippe “Ellipse” encrusted with brilliant-cut diamonds, baguette cut diamond indices and a unique pearl bracelet.

Princess Diana

Diana, Princess of Wales, became part of the Royal Family when she married Prince Charles, the heir to the throne. Diana was known for engaging in activism and became a fashion icon, leading to extreme public scrutiny. Diana died tragically in a car crash while fleeing the paparazzi at only 36 years old. Still today, though, she is remembered fondly by British nationals and the rest of the world. Diana’s fashion sense could be considered elegant yet understated. This extended to her choice of watches. Diana was photographed most often wearing a simple Cartier Tank.

Prince Charles

Charles, Prince of Wales, is the son of Queen Elizabeth II and the current heir to the throne. Charles has been heir to throne since 1952, making him both the oldest (at 72) and longest-serving heir apparent in British history. Charles likely never thought he would still be heir to throne at the ripe old age of 72.

Charles too has been photographed wearing fairly understated, yet elegant watches. Since 2015, Prince Charles has been seen wearing an 18-carat gold automatic Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Chronograph. Parmigiani Fleurier is somewhat of a lesser known watch brand, founded recently in 1996, but they are elegant and well-made timepieces that they produce in limited batches in order to maintain the exclusivity of the brand. I wonder if Prince Charles will pick up the new Tonda soon.

Prince William

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, is the eldest soon of Prince Charles and has been second in line of succession to the British throne since birth. William is really only seen wearing an Omega Seamaster Quartz 300m Mid-Size. This piece has a blue dial and steel case, quartz movement and is water resistant to 300m. It is said that he never wears any other watch because was a gift from his mother, Princess Diana.

Kate Middleton

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, is a member of the British Royal Family and the wife of Prince William. Through her marriage to William she is likely to become the queen consort at some point in the future. Similar to Princess Diana, Kate has been photographed wearing a Cartier. Kate, however, has been seen wearing a Ballon Bleu.

Prince Harry

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is the younger son of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, and younger brother of Prince William. He is currently sixth in line of succession to the British throne (though he and his wife, Meghan Markle have stepped back from their duties in the British Royal Family. During his time in the Royal Air Foce, Harry was photographed wearing a Rolex Explorer II. Each member of Harry’s British RAF’s Attack Helicopter Regiment were gifted an Explorer.

Meghan Markle

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is a former actress and member of the British Royal Family, through her marriage to Prince Harry. Over the past couple of years the Royal Family, including Harry and Meghan have been embroiled in some controversary, resulting in Meghan and Harry’s decision to take a step back from having active roles in the Royal Family.

Harkening back to Harry’s mother, Diana, Meghan Markle has been pictured wearing a two-tone Cartier Tank. It seems the women of the Royal Family have an affinity for Cartier.