Showing posts with label New 2015. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New 2015. Show all posts

07 December 2015

The Malta Aquamarine Brooch

The Malta Aquamarine Brooch
Featuring an oval aquamarine stone with a diamond setting and a larger diamond surround, The Queen debuted this brooch when opening the 2015 session of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta.
The name I am using here, the Malta Aquamarine Brooch, refers to that location and not to a known provenance. Queen Mary wore* a brooch which could be a match, with a similar shape and basic design. It's an interesting potential provenance, since Queen Mary was not regularly associated with aquamarine stones, and she appears to be wearing a brooch with another colored stone in the photo. The first appearance of the brooch has naturally prompted speculation of a connection to either Malta or the Commonwealth, although The Queen more frequently wears brooches without such a connection to this event. Officially, the origin of this lovely and dainty brooch remains unconfirmed.

*This was noticed in a photograph posted by Beth at the Royal Jewels of the World Message Board in March 2016, and the Malta Brooch resemblance was pointed out by Brock. Thanks to them both.

Appearances:
29 May 2019: Audience at Buckingham Palace
27 November 2015: Visit to Malta, CHOGM Opening Ceremony

Photos: CHOGM Malta Flickr/DOI-Omar Camilleri/via Getty Images
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27 November 2015

Malta Visit: Day 2, CHOGM Opening Ceremony

The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, and The Duchess of Cornwall attended the opening ceremony of the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on the second day of their visit to Malta. Afterward, The Queen and The Prince of Wales hosted a reception for the new Commonwealth Heads of Government at San Anton Palace.
CHOGM Malta screencap
 For more: Vimeo opening ceremony recap, Zimbio gallery.
Day two brings us some brooch intrigue! {Insert jumpy claps here} This one looks like an aquamarine brooch with a diamond surround, and I think it is new to me...

What do you think? Ringing any bells for anyone? (And what should we name it here, huh? Update: I'm going with the Malta Aquamarine Brooch.) Let me know your thoughts!  Whatever it is, it is pretty. Oh my, I'd take this one off Her Maj's hands in no time.
CHOGM Malta Flickr/DOI-Omar Camilleri, click here for galleries
Anyway, she also wore this brooch and outfit, sans hat, for the reception after the opening ceremony.

Malta Aquamarine Brooch


I love The Duchess of Cornwall's outfit choice for the opening ceremony, which she paired with Everyday Pearl Pendant Earrings and the large version of her diamond-clasped four strand pearl chokers. And she must be in a bit of a buggy mood, because she followed up yesterday's diamond and sapphire dragonfly brooches with her diamond moth brooch (not yet covered here).


Also today, The Queen held a private audience with Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki Moon at San Anton Palace.
Finally, this is another rare brooch for Her Majesty which happily reappeared last year: the Emerald and Diamond Celtic Knot Brooch.


We'll be back later with another post, for tonight is the fancy CHOGM dinner, and I'm ready for some sparkle...
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22 October 2015

State Visit from China, Farewell

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh bid farewell to President Xi and Madame Peng as they departed from Buckingham Palace after the London leg of their State Visit to the United Kingdom.
New brooch alert! Well, new-to-Her Maj alert. This is another piece from The Queen Mother's collection, given new life by The Queen. See the link below for more.
(And check out Madame Peng in her cape! Lady knows how to close out a state visit with a bang.)


Photos:via Getty Image sand ITNSource video
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16 June 2015

Royal Ascot, Day 1 and Audience at Windsor Castle

The Queen honored Ascot Races with her presence today.
Ooooh oooh OOOH - look! It's only Day 1 of the Ascot brooch parade, and my brooch wishes have already been fulfilled! This is a brooch we haven't seen since it was worn by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and it is likely part of the set of Crown rubies that date back to Queen Victoria (although there are multiple ruby brooches and some dispute over which belong specifically to the set and which come from other sources). See the link below for more.

It's enormous and luscious, and looks a treat on this vibrant pink. I'm already on pins and needles waiting for Day 2...



We'll be doing a full rundown of the Ascot fashion stakes on the other blog tomorrow, so I'll save my comments on The Duchess of Cornwall's outfit for then. But as far as the jewels go...
...pffft. They're nothing to sneeze at on their own, don't get me wrong, but they are a bit of a let down after The Queen's surprise. Her Four Strand Pearl Choker with Small Diamond Clasp (with her chain necklace and C charm underneath) and her Everyday Pearl Pendant Earrings make for a thoroughly everyday combination.


The Queen also received the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea for a private audience at Windsor Castle.

Bonus brooch for a busy day!


Photos:via Getty Images
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31 May 2015

The Duchess of Cornwall's Worshipful Company of Plaisterers Badge

The Duchess of Cornwall added another piece to her badge collection this week.
The Duchess of Cornwall's Worshipful Company of Plaisterers Badge
During an evening reception for the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers on May 27, she was presented with a special version of their livery badge. The Duchess was made an Honorary Liveryman of the guild in April 2014.
Seeing an opportunity to encourage the work of young craftspeople, the Company held a competition for the design of the brooch through the Goldsmiths' Centre and The Goldsmiths' Company. The winning design was created by 19-year-old Joshua Ganes and was crafted at the Centre in the studio of silversmith Clive Burr.
The badge has the Company's coat of arms, which includes depictions of plastering tools, at its center and a surround that was inspired by the plasterwork at Plaisterers' Hall. Made from silver and silver gilt, it also includes white and blue enamel together with diamonds and blue sapphires. It can be worn as a brooch or as a pendant, and will surely be used by The Duchess of Cornwall for all future events with the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers.

For more, see these pieces by Professional Jeweller and The Goldsmiths' Company.

Appearances:
21 March 2018: Literacy Trust Anniversary Reception

Photos: Plaisterers' Company/Goldsmiths' Company, and Twitter
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22 May 2015

The Duchess of Cornwall's Irish Claddagh Brooch

While on a trip to Ireland and Northern Ireland with The Prince of Wales this week, The Duchess of Cornwall picked up a new addition to her brooch collection.
The Duchess of Cornwall's Irish Claddagh Brooch
During a visit to the Claddagh National School in Galway, Ireland, The Duchess of Cornwall was presented with the gift of a Claddagh brooch. Known best in the iconic ring design, these traditional Irish jewels include two hands (representing friendship) on either side of a heart (representing love) which is topped by a crown (representing loyalty).
These brooches are available on the Dillon's website in Gold (€345) and Silver (€75).
The gold brooch is from Jonathan Margetts of Thomas Dillon, the Irish jewelers that hold the oldest license to make original Claddagh rings. The company presented Queen Victoria with one of their rings on her visit to Ireland in 1849. It's a classic design associated with Ireland and which has a history tied to the Galway area, making it a very appropriate gift for this royal visit.
It was also apparently a gift very much appreciated by this royal visitor. "She told me she had always wanted a piece of Claddagh jewellery, and I told her to wear it in good health," Mr. Margetts told the Irish Independent afterwards. And Her Royal Highness was quick to demonstrate it: The Duchess wore the brooch the day after it was presented and for the next two days as well, as their tour moved on to Northern Ireland. A lovely gesture for an historic trip, I think.

Appearances:
25 May 2016: Visit to Ireland
20-22 May 2015: Visit to the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland

Photos: via Getty Images and Dillon's
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18 April 2015

The Queen's Diamond Art Deco Double Clip Brooch

The Queen's Diamond Art Deco Double Clip Brooch

Set with diamonds including round and baguette cuts in two triangular shapes, this brooch looks like an example of the popular Art Deco double clip style - probably two separate brooches that can be worn together, as The Queen did when she first wore this piece at the Newbury Races, or separately. A similar example of the classic style was owned by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and is now worn by The Countess of Wessex.

Appearances:
19 February 2019: Audiences at Buckingham Palace
19 October 2018: Visit to Bracknell
20 May 2018: Church at Windsor
5 August 2017: Aboyne Highland Games
16 June 2017: Audience at Buckingham Palace
27 June 2016: Visit to Northern Ireland, Day 1
18 April 2015: Newbury Races

Photo: Max Mumby/Indigo via Getty Images
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20 March 2015

The HMS Ocean Brooch

The HMS Ocean Brooch
The Queen is Lady Sponsor of the HMS Ocean, a Royal Navy amphibious assault ship and helicopter carrier. When visiting the ship on March 20, 2015 to mark its rededication, she wore this new brooch. To quote the British Monarchy:
The Queen's brooch is a gift from the Captain and Officers of HMS Ocean. Its design is derived from the ship's badge, and depicts Oceanus rising from the waves brandishing a trident.
The ship's badge
The brooch was designed and made by Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery, who chose elements from the ship's badge to create a wearable brooch. The rope detail outlines the bottom of the brooch, with three tridents raising up from the waves. Consultation from the ship's officers was taken into account along the way, resulting in a brooch made of bright polished sterling silver with sapphires pave set into the waves and intricate detailing to make it come alive. The piece was handmade by the HK Bespoke Jewellery team in Hertfordshire.
This is a nicely stylized interpretation, and no doubt a gift appreciated by The Queen, who has made several visits to the ship since its initial dedication and is kept up to date on its activities.

Thank you to HK Bespoke Jewellery for sharing the story behind this brooch, and to A Petite Princess for calling attention to it! You can read more about the design and creation process at the HK site, and APP has a post about the brooch too. 

Appearances:
20 March 2015: HMS Ocean Rededication 

Photos: Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery, Wikimedia Commons, and via Getty Images
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27 February 2015

Visit from The King and Queen of Tonga

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh received The King and Queen of Tonga at Windsor Castle. Their Majesties stayed for tea.
It may look like a spare button on this particular dress, but we have a debut on our hands: it's the FEI Lifetime Achievement Award Brooch! This is the first time we've seen it in use since it was presented to her in November. Not a bad size to wear for engagements at home, really.


Photo:WPA Pool via Getty Images
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