This bracelet was sent to Queen Victoria by Prince Albert not long after the announcement of their engagement and is appropriately decorated with motifs representing love. The gold chain is engraved with stylised hearts and lovers’ knots, whilst the padlock pendant symbolises the locking away of the heart’s secrets. Diamonds were considered to represent eternity and emeralds hope. Queen Victoria recorded the arrival of the bracelet:

Received to my inexpressible delight a dear, charming letter from dearest Albert, accompanied by a lovely little bracelet

Queen Victoria

This was one of a group of jewels placed in the ‘Albert Room’ at Windsor Castle after the queen’s death in 1901. The 'Albert Room' was the room in which Prince Albert died in 1861 and Queen Victoria left instructions for a specific list of personal jewellery to be placed there.