On February 10, 1840, Queen Victoria married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg Gotha. After the ceremony in Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace, Victoria presented each of her twelve train-bearers (the aristocratic women who held the train of her dress) a brooch designed by Prince Albert—this eagle is one of the twelve that were presented by the new bride before the group returned to Buckingham Palace for the reception. The jewelry house of R. & S. Garrard arranged for the brooch to be fabricated by Charles Du Vé on Maddox Street in London, based on the Prince’s design. Each gold brooch is slightly different but features an eagle, the symbol of the House of Coburg, set with a turquoise body and outstretched wings, a diamond beak, and round ruby eyes, with pearls grasped tightly in its talons. Each material was selected for its symbolism: turquoise blue to evoke the color of forget-me-nots, rubies as symbols of passion, diamonds representing eternity, and pearls for true love. While royal bridesmaids typically received a gift, this design broke with tradition as the subject was usually a dove set with turquoise. This brooch is an outstanding example of the couple’s love of jewelry and sentimentality.