A Ring Worn Until Death
When Queen Elizabeth I died in 1603, her attendants discovered an unusual ring on her finger. It was a locket ring, small but intricately designed with rubies and diamonds forming the letter “E.” The ring had remained with her for decades, never removed, even in her final days.
A Hidden Compartment
Inside the ring was a secret compartment containing two miniature portraits. One was of Elizabeth herself, the other of a woman in a French hood, a common headdress in the 16th century. The second portrait was identified as Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth’s mother, who had been executed by her father, Henry VIII, when Elizabeth was only two years old.
A Rare Personal Item
This ring, now called the Chequers Ring, is one of the few surviving personal belongings of Elizabeth I. It remains at Chequers, the official country residence of the British Prime Minister.
An Unbreakable Connection
Elizabeth never spoke publicly about her mother, but she carried this ring for years, keeping the portrait hidden. The ring was only discovered after her death, revealing a personal connection she never openly expressed.
When Queen Elizabeth I died in 1603, her attendants found an unusual ring on her finger. It was a small locket ring, set with rubies and diamonds forming the letter 'E.' The ring had stayed with her for decades, never removed, even in her final days.🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/T56mfXJduz
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) February 10, 2025