Royal Life Saving Society Reception, and Audiences at Buckingham Palace

The Queen, accompanied by other members of the Royal Family, hosted a reception for the Royal Life Saving Society at Buckingham Palace.

Royal Family Instagram

At first, I though these were the regular Aquamarine Clip Brooches - which was pretty delightful, considering we were just discussing the fact that they haven't been worn much this year. But they are actually something even more delightful: a debut! These two aquamarine clips are pieces from The Queen Mother's collection, worn for the first time by The Queen. (See the link below for more on this debut.)

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It's a big day for HM's gem collection, considering The Duchess of Cambridge also borrowed her Diamond Pendant Earrings for the first time tonight. (More on that appearance on the other blog tomorrow.)

Queen Mother's Curved Aquamarine Clip Brooches

Queen Mary's Button Earrings

Three Strand Pearl Necklace

Gold Watch

Engagement and Wedding Rings 

Earlier, The Queen held audiences at Buckingham Palace.

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Speaking of favorites that we haven't seen much this year, I'm preeettttty sure this is the Frosted Sunflower, which is somehow only just making its fourth appearance in 2016.

Frosted Sunflower Brooch

The Cartier Diamond Rose Clip Brooch

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The Queen wearing the Cartier Diamond Rose Clip Brooch

For Day 2 of Royal Ascot 2016, The Queen debuted a new brooch! It was described by the palace as a "Cartier diamond flower clip." The jewel features a large round diamond at its center, surrounded by six slightly smaller round diamonds and set inside a group of curving petals. It is a match to this brooch:

Hancock's

Described as a pavé-set diamond rose clip brooch by Cartier London, circa 1935, the pictured brooch was previously offered for sale at Hancock's London.

I do not believe this has been seen on any previous royal woman, so we could be looking at a new addition to the collection as well as a public debut for The Queen; it is worth noting, though, that King George VI and Queen Elizabeth were collecting many pieces from Cartier in that timeframe. It's an absolutely lovely design, and certainly seems suited to The Queen's taste. She has many other floral brooches, of course, and also plenty of Cartier designs, such as the Nizam of Hyderabad Rose Brooches and the Williamson Diamond Brooch.

Appearances: 
15 June 2016: Royal Ascot, Day 2

The Racing Post 90th Birthday Brooch

I suspect a few brooches will be among the 90th birthday presents collected by The Queen this year, but this one has a special personal touch.

The Racing Post 90th Birthday Brooch

The Racing Post has commissioned a special birthday brooch for Her Majesty, who is one of their regular readers. Per the RP:

The one-of-a-kind brooch is an 18ct white gold and diamond-mounted galloping racehorse, ridden by an 18ct yellow gold enamelled jockey in Her Majesty's racing colours.

Hand-made by prestigious Birmingham-based jewellery manufacturers Alabaster & Wilson Ltd, the 19th century-inspired design is taken from a 1975 portrait of Fred Archer, jockey to Prince Edward of Wales (later King Edward VII).

Equestrian jewelry is one specialty of Alabaster & Wilson Ltd., who note on their website that "many pieces have been commissioned for presentation to members of Royal Families around the world." Their expertise certainly shows in the fine detail of this piece, which includes 35 diamonds, 0.52 carats in weight.

Animal figures are not a category of brooch that The Queen wears very often. She does have other equestrian-related brooches, such as the as-yet-unworn Newhaven Horse Brooch and the FEI Lifetime Achievement Award Brooch. It's always surprised me, though, that she doesn't have a specific horse brooch that she wears to the races (The Princess Royal does, a gold horse brooch regularly seen). Perhaps a jockey in her very own racing colors is just what she needs.

Photos: Racing Post

The Diamond and Pearl Navette Brooch

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The Queen wearing the Diamond and Pearl Navette Brooch

Debuted at a May 2016 Buckingham Palace garden party, this brooch is centered around a large diamond in a diamond setting with circular palmette-like motifs that show an Art Deco design influence. The outside of the brooch is uniquely lined in pearls, and the whole piece has an interesting marquise/oval ("moval") or navette shape (hence the name I have chosen to use here).

The Royal Family

It does not seem that any further details on the brooch's provenance are immediately available. It has a modern look to it, Deco design features and all. Since it debuted right after her 90th birthday, many have guessed it was a birthday present. The Queen may (or may not) have hinted at this herself, wearing it for her private 90th birthday party in its second appearance. We will have to wait and see if more information becomes available.

Appearances:
4 December 2019: Audiences at Buckingham Palace
29 September 2019: Church at Balmoral
24 July 2019: Audiences at Buckingham Palace
22 May 2019: Sainsbury's 150th Anniversary
1 May 2019: Audiences at Buckingham Palace
23 September 2018: Church at Balmoral
26 August 2018: Church at Balmoral
26 June 2018: Queen's Young Leaders Awards
15 May 2018: Buckingham Palace Garden Party
20 February 2018: Visit to the Royal College of Physicians
4 July 2017: Holyrood Week: Audiences
14 October 2016: British Red Cross Portrait Unveiling
19 July 2016: Private 90th Birthday Party
24 May 2016: Buckingham Palace Garden Party