Royal Windsor Horse Show

The Queen attended the Royal Windsor Horse Show (May 8-12) on various days.

The horse show is usually a time for the Queen on casual duty - a single strand of pearls peeking out from under her headscarf and coat, with her rings and casual watch - but there are glimpses of the duty uniform. This year, an emerald and an amethyst came out to play.

Delhi Carved Emerald Brooch
Kent Amethyst Brooch
Single Strand Pearl Necklace
Black Strap Watch

Engagement and Wedding Rings

Photos:Getty Images/PA/PacificCoastNews

Church at Sandringham

The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, attended church near Sandringham.

And what does Lil bust out for us, just after we featured it? It's the Delhi Carved Emerald! And it's looking extra green on this aqua background, too. (An out of the ordinary color pairing for her, really.) I love it when this happens!

Delhi Carved Emerald Brooch

Queen Mary's Button Earrings

Photos:PacificCoastNews

The Delhi Carved Emerald Brooch

The Delhi Carved Emerald Brooch

This large emerald hexagon is carved on the front and back (a rose in front, a plant in back), set in silver and gold, and surrounded by brilliant-cut diamonds. Queen Mary was given this brooch by the Ladies of India at the Delhi Durbar, the coronation celebrations of George V and Mary in India in 1911.

Queen Mary

Combined with her Cambridge emeralds, Queen Mary had a magnificent set of emeralds that she wore often. As we know, she was a big fan of playing with her jewels and trying out different configurations. Accordingly, this gem took a turn as the centerpiece of a diamond bandeau tiara (Marie Feodorovna's Sapphire Bandeau, possibly, though she had other diamond bandeau options) for a night out:

Queen Mary

The brooch passed to Queen Elizabeth on Queen Mary's death in 1953, but of course we've only seen her use it in traditional brooch fashion to date.

The Queen didn't use this brooch much (if at all) for a long time after she inherited it. Really only in the past few years have we had the opportunity to see the unusual piece in use, and I find that understandable: you usually can't tell if a brooch is extra heavy on Her Majesty's ensembles, but this one looks like it might be a bit of a trial to wear.

Appearances:
11 May 2013: Royal Windsor Horse Show 
20 January 2013: Church at Sandringham 
2011: State Visit from Turkey, Farewell

Photos: Royal Collection/Queen Elizabeth II/Leslie Field/PA/Polfoto