What was the Chequers Ring and why is it significant?

The Chequers Ring is a 16th-century ring belonging to Queen Elizabeth I, notable for containing a secret locket with a miniature portrait of her mother, Anne Boleyn.

Why was Anne Boleyn executed by Henry VIII?

Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's second wife, was beheaded on charges of incest, adultery, and treason, though these were widely considered trumped-up.

Did Elizabeth I have a relationship with her mother Anne Boleyn?

Elizabeth I was only three when her mother Anne Boleyn was executed. There is no historical record of their direct relationship, but Elizabeth's secret ring suggests a lasting emotional connection.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Queen Elizabeth I's Ring: A Mother's Love Unveiled

Queen Elizabeth I's Ring: A Mother's Love Unveiled

2 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Elizabeth I wore a secret ring with her mother Anne Boleyn's portrait.
The Chequers Ring features diamonds forming 'E' and enamel 'R'.
This secret act may signal Elizabeth's rebellion against her father.

Queen Elizabeth I's Ring: A Mother's Love Unveiled

A newly discussed podcast episode reveals a poignant secret kept by Queen Elizabeth I: a hidden portrait of her mother, Anne Boleyn, within the Chequers Ring. This exquisite piece, made of mother-of-pearl, gold, and rubies, dates to around 1570 and features diamonds forming an 'E' and blue enamel 'R' for Elizabeth Regina. It was reportedly removed from the Queen's finger on her deathbed in 1603.

Royal biographers suggest the ring was a clandestine act of remembrance and rebellion. While Elizabeth I, as a child, had to navigate the perilous court following her mother's execution and her own subsequent demotion, historical records are silent on her direct thoughts. However, the Chequers Ring, worn until her dying day, contains a locket with a miniature of Anne Boleyn, a testament to enduring maternal affection.

This hidden memento provided a secret connection for Elizabeth to the mother she was largely barred from acknowledging publicly. The ring's story suggests that despite the political pressures and her father Henry VIII's actions, Elizabeth I never forgot Anne Boleyn. The Chequers Ring is a rare artifact now housed at the Prime Minister's country residence, seldom displayed.