07 June 2013

BBC Broadcasting House Opening

The Queen officially opened BBC's rebuilt Broadcasting House in London.
Click above for an article and video from the BBC.
You can't help but wish the Duke (who is "progressing satisfactorily" at the hospital) could have accompanied her as planned for this somewhat awkward visit, planned news photobomb and all. Surely he would have dropped some choice words. But the Queen had a few of her own, including referring to the famous Glastonbury Festival as "the place you get covered in mud" (true) and greeting the gift of a  radio with "I don’t get an awful lot of chance to listen to the radio", which is what I would say before tossing it in the re-gift pile.


Photos:BBC screencap/PA
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06 June 2013

Buckingham Palace Garden Party and Investiture

The Queen invested the Duke of Edinburgh with the Order of New Zealand in the presence of the High Commissioner for New Zealand at Buckingham Palace. Later, she hosted a garden party, accompanied by other members of the royal family.
Click above for an article and video from the Telegraph.
Uh oh. Following today's business, the DoE was "admitted to the London Clinic for an exploratory operation following abdominal investigations." The palace says he could be there for two weeks, which means he would miss some of the biggest events of the year, including Trooping the Colour, the Order of the Garter ceremony, and Royal Ascot - not to mention his 92nd birthday. Get well soon, Phil. (Click here for another article on today's events.)
 On a happier note, the Queen wore the Flame Lily Brooch again (for the garden party, following the petite Greville Scroll - which practically disappeared into her floral dress - for the Order of New Zealand presentation). I always forget how much I adore that delicate piece of artwork until she sports it, and then I fall in love all over again.


Photos:Telegraph screencap/PA
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05 June 2013

Audiences at Buckingham Palace

The Queen received the Ambassador of Burkina Faso and the Ambassador of Belarus at Buckingham Palace.
This is a tricky one. I say Sapphire Chrysanthemum, do you concur?


Photo: PA
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04 June 2013

Coronation Anniversary Service

The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family, attended a service at Westminster Abbey commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Coronation.
Click for video from the BBC.
We don't see HM bust out the brooch from the Brazilian Aquamarine Parure that much all on its own, but on this occasion it makes perfect sense: the aquamarine parure began its life as a gift from Brazil to mark her coronation. The brooch wasn't actually given to her until 1958, but never mind that. Significance.


Photos:BBC Screencap/WireImage
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03 June 2013

Royal National Institute of Blind People Reception

The Queen attended a gala reception for the Royal National Institute of Blind People at St James' Palace.
Click here for an article and gallery.
You might recognize this dress from the pre-wedding dinner for William and Kate's wedding. I think it was better matched to the gold and diamond jewelry she wore that night than to this pearl option (a longer three strand necklace plus the Duchess of Teck earrings) but I won't give her a hard time: poor HM was without her beau for the night, as the DoE is under the weather. Supposedly he'll be all better for tomorrow's coronation anniversary service, so let's hope that holds true.


Photo: PA
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02 June 2013

Flashback: The Coronation

Queen Elizabeth II was crowned at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953.
The 60th anniversary of the Queen's coronation is being marked with several celebrations, including the rebroadcasting of the coronation film and a service coming up this week. Last year, for the Diamond Jubilee, we had a series of posts on the other blog commemorating the coronation, including the Queen's ornate Norman Hartnell gown and some of the crown jewels used, so this flashback will be brief.
We haven't touched much on the crown jewels here, but we have covered the Imperial State Crown (which she wore after the actual crowning, which was done with St. Edward's Crown), and the Sovereign's Ring. She arrived wearing the George IV State Diadem and carrying her coronation bouquet. She followed tradition and wore the Coronation Necklace and Earrings, as well as her engagement and wedding rings and a petite Jaeger-LeCoultre watch. Her mantle was draped with the Collar and Great George of the Order of the Garter.

Above: The Coronation on YouTube, Part 1 of 7 (click through for more)
If you're in the mood for more coronation fun today, in addition to the film embedded above, The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II is a great documentary available on YouTube, as are many other gems.

Photos:Royal Collection/Hulton Archive/ITV/PA
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01 June 2013

Epsom Derby

The Queen, accompanied by other members of the Royal Family, attended Investec Derby Day at Epsom Downs Racecourse.
The Epsom Derby is another annual event for the Queen, this time of a fun nature, though we don't have a flashback this time around. Her brooch choice did not go unnoticed - on a weekend of anniversaries, she choose the brooch she wore when announcing her engagement in 1947.

Photos:Getty Images/Reuters
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