The County of Cornwall Bracelet

The County of Cornwall Bracelet

Princess May of Teck (later Queen Mary) received a diamond and ruby bracelet set in gold from the County of Cornwall for her 1893 wedding. Her husband, the Duke of York (later George V) also gave her a jeweled diamond rose which she wore as a bracelet, so there is some confusion around this particular piece. Nevertheless, it is referred to as the County of Cornwall Bracelet.

Queen Mary

The central rose can detach from the bracelet to be worn as a pendant or a brooch, as seen on Queen Mary’s collar above. She gave the bracelet to her granddaughter Princess Elizabeth in 1947 as a wedding present.

Today, the Queen uses the bracelet occasionally with her other ruby jewels. It’s not a bad accompaniment to the similarly bold and floral Burmese Ruby Tiara. She seems to keep it as a bracelet, not using the brooch option for the center portion.

Appearances:
1983: State Visit to Sweden 
1982: State Visit from the Netherlands 

Photos: Royal Collection/Leslie Field/Corbis

State Visit from Kuwait, Farewell

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh bid farewell to the Emir of Kuwait as he concluded his State Visit to the United Kingdom.

Every time I read about these state visit farewells, I get a mental picture of the royal family recreating a scene from The Sound of Music. Who needs the Von Trapps when you've got the Windsors, eh?

Cambridge Pearl Pendant Brooch

Queen Mary's Button Earrings

Three Strand Pearl Necklace

Gold Watch

Engagement and Wedding Rings

Photo: Bauer Griffin

The Diamond and Ruby Butterfly Brooch

The Diamond and Ruby Butterfly Brooch

The Queen's best known wedding gifts came from organizations, countries, and close family members - but she received gifts from plenty of individuals as well. This brooch, described in the wedding gift list as a "diamond and ruby brooch in the form of a butterfly" was given by the Dowager Countess of Onslow.

This is not a well known wedding gift - it's not a well known brooch in the first place. The Queen doesn't wear it much, but when she does she predictably pairs it with pinks and reds.

Appearances:
25 August 2019: Church at Balmoral
19 January 2012: Sandringham Women's Institute

Photos: Getty Images/PA

Thames Hospicecare

The Queen visited Thames Hospicecare to mark their 25th anniversary.

No brooch days make me sad.

Queen Mary's Button Earrings

Three Strand Pearl Necklace

Photo: WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara

The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara

Queen Mary received this tiara as a wedding gift in 1893 from a committee representing the girls of Great Britain and Ireland. It featured pearls on top and a detachable base; Mary removed the pearls. She gave it to her granddaughter, Princess Elizabeth, as a wedding present in 1947. The Queen originally wore it without the base before reuniting the pieces in 1969.

Said to be light and easy to wear, the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara seems to be the Queen's favorite - she's said to call it "Granny's tiara", and it is her most frequently worn diadem.

Read more at Order of Splendor.

Appearances:
4 December 2018: Diplomatic Reception
23 October 2018: State Visit from The Netherlands, State Banquet 
19 April 2018: CHOGM Dinner 
8 December 2015: Diplomatic Reception
24 June 2015: State Visit to Germany
21 October 2014: State Visit from Singapore 
6 June 2014: State Visit to France
9 May 2014: Order of the Bath Service
5 November 2013: State Visit from South Korea
27 November 2012: State Visit from Kuwait
7 March 2012: Order of the British Empire Service 
2011: State Visit from Turkey
2011: State Visit to Ireland
2010: Visit to Canada 
2007: CHOGM Dinner
2006: Diplomatic Reception 
2006: Order of the Bath Service  
2005: State Visit from China
1992: State Visit to Germany 
1991: Balmoral Ghillies Ball
1988: State Visit to Spain
1985: State Visit to Portugal 
1983: State Visit to Sweden 
1978: State Visit to Germany
1967: Visit to Malta  
1958: State Visit from Germany
1958: State Visit to the Netherlands 
Various Years: CHOGM Dinners

Photos: Getty Images

Queen Victoria's Bracelet

Queen Victoria's Bracelet

Each of the 5 links of this bracelet contains 9 diamonds of considerable size. They are surrounded by a diamond foliage setting, but when in use and from afar, the larger diamonds are what truly stand out. This was made for Queen Victoria in 1838 using existing diamonds in her collection, and it was designated by her as an heirloom of the Crown. Queen Victoria wore it in her official Diamond Jubilee portrait.

Left to Right: Queen Victoria, Queen Alexandra, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth II

As an heirloom of the Crown, it passed after Queen Victoria's death to Queen Alexandra (who wore the bracelet for her husband's coronation), and then subsequently to Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. Elizabeth wore it for some of her most memorable and romantic portraits, and held on to the bracelet during her tenure as Queen Mother. It was inherited by the current Queen in 2002.

Appearances:
27 November 2012: State Visit from Kuwait, State Banquet
1978: State Visit to Germany
1967: Visit to Malta 
1965: State Visit to Germany  

Photos: Getty Images/Royal Collection

State Visit from Kuwait, State Banquet

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, together with other members of the Royal Family, gave a state banquet in honor of the Emir of Kuwait at Windsor Castle.

Isn't that terribly kind, Her Maj saw we were reviewing some of her wedding gifts this month and now she's worn another to follow the Williamson Diamond worn earlier in the day: it's the Girls tiara! (My fave.) Bless her sparkly little heart, that's ever so helpful.

Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara

Coronation Necklace and Earrings
Royal Family Order of George V
Royal Family Order of George VI
Order of Mubarak the Great (Collar and Star)

Queen Victoria's Bracelet
Diamond Watch (same as here)

Photo: Getty Images