The form is inspired by the celebrated brooch of Lorne, a silver medieval turreted disc brooch, apocryphally thought to have been taken in battle from Robert the Bruce (Robert I of Scotland) at the battle of Dalrigh in 1307. The historic jewel was shown to Queen Victoria by the head of the MacDougall clan on 10th September 1842 during a visit to Perthshire. During her stay at Drummond Castle, the Queen wrote in her journal: “Cap. McDougal [sic], […] showed us the real brooch of Lorne, which was taken by his ancestor from Robert Bruce, in a battle.”

Provenance: Engraved on the reverse 'From Albert/Nov 21 1842', which commemorates the second birthday of their first born child, Victoria, the Princess Royal. The brooch was given by His late Royal Highness to the Queen on 10th February 1843, exactly two years after their daughter had been christened. The Queen's journal entry for that day records "My beloved Albert gave me a lovely brooch, which is so original in design and which I am delighted with."

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