Sarah Ferguson arrives for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, held at Westminster Abbey, London. Picture date: Monday September 19, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story FUNERAL Queen. Photo credit should read: Geoff Pugh/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire

Fergie wore a swallow brooch to the Queen’s funeral today (Picture: PA)

Sarah, the Duchess of York, stepped out with her family at Westminster Abbey for the Queen’s funeral today.

Fergie wore a military-style coat dress with a belt, button-down design and flared cuffs.

The 62-year-old teamed the all-black ensemble with an intricate silver swallow brooch on her lapel, to pay her respects.

The accessory was particularly fitting for the occasion, as swallows were an important motif within Victorian jewellery – often sported as a symbol of love or mourning.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Tim Rooke/Shutterstock (13400105ev) Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York The State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen, Service, Westminster Abbey, London, UK - 19 Sep 2022

The Duchess of York paired the silver brooch with the all-black ensemble (Picture: Tim Rooke/Shutterstock)

Britain's Sarah, Duchess of York, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank attend, on the day of the state funeral and burial of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, at Westminster Abbey in London, Britain, September 19, 2022. REUTERS/Phil Noble/Pool

She teamed the silver brooch with silver earrings (Picture: REUTERS)

Sarah Ferguson arriving at the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, held at Westminster Abbey, London. Picture date: Monday September 19, 2022. Dominic Lipinski/Pool via REUTERS

Caption: Sarah Ferguson arriving at the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, held at Westminster Abbey, London. Picture date: Monday September 19, 2022. Dominic Lipinski/Pool via REUTERS
Photographer: POOL
Provider: via REUTERS
Source: X80003
(Credits: via REUTERS)

The symbol of the swallow is thought to mean ‘to safely return home’ – which could have a more poignant meaning during a funeral, of an individual journeying to heaven.

Also, in Christianity, a swallow is a reference to the Incarnation of Christ and his Resurrection.

Swallow motifs were also used in Victorian jewellery to signify love and constancy, across both distance and time.

So the bird brooch is a sweet gesture to the Queen in a number of ways.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Sarah, Duchess of York arrives at Westminster Abbey ahead of the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

The symbol of the swallow is thought to meant ‘to safely return home’ (Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Sarah, Duchess of York arrives for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Swallows were a big motif in Victorian jewellery (Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Sarah, Duchess of York arrives for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, held at Westminster Abbey, London. Picture date: Monday September 19, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story FUNERAL Queen. Photo credit should read: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Sarah with the family at Westminster Abbey (Picture: PA)

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie were also spotted supporting their mother in a short clip.

The sisters turned to look back for their emotional mother, and encouraged her to join them as the family made their way to their seats.

But Sarah shook her head and insisted she would stay behind with the Queen’s grandchildren.

For the funeral, Princess Eugenie wore a special bag, in subtle nod to Prince Philip, while Princess Beatrice sported sombre headwear.

This also isn’t the first time we’ve seen Sarah wear the swallow brooch. She previously wore it to the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston in 2019.

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