24 July 2014

Commonwealth Games Visit

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh visited several venues at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
For more: Zimbio gallery.
Done with the neutrals, for today's meanderings HM coordinated well for photobombing the Australian team and went Scottish with her brooch, the Three Thistle Brooch. The brooch was swapped to the dress underneath during the day.

Three Thistle Brooch (Now with updated provenance information!)

Photo: WPA Pool via Getty
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23 July 2014

Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games

The Queen opened the 20th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
For more: Video of the opening, gallery from Zimbio, article from the Daily Mail.
This reminds me of the Queen's peach outfit from the Olympics opening ceremony - a color carefully chosen so as not to appear to be cheering for any particular country. (And on that same note, I'd wager the brooch's provenance, which is unknown to us, is probably not tied strongly to any Commonwealth entity either.)


Photo: Commonwealth Games video
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22 July 2014

Audiences and Prince George's Birthday Party

The Queen held audiences at Buckingham Palace, including investing Sir Simon Rattle with the Insignia of a Member of the Order of Merit, presenting Dame Quentin Bryce with the Insignia of Dame of the Order of Australia, and receiving Judith Weir, the new Master of the Queen's Music.
First up, a little business...

 
 
And then, some play: The Queen attended Prince George's first birthday at Kensington Palace. Different outfit and different brooch, but I can't tell which one.

Photo: ITNSource video
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17 July 2014

Reading Railway Station Opening

The Queen officially opened the renovated railway station in Reading.
It's the second time HM has worn this brooch, and the second time on this same outfit - though I hardly think the color selection today was random...



Updated to add... on Friday, July 18, The Queen held an investiture at Windsor Castle. It was, as always, hard to tell what brooch she wore.

Photo: ITNSource video
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14 July 2014

Queen's Award for Enterprise Reception

The Queen, joined by other members of the royal family, gave a reception for the Queen's Award for Enterprise at Buckingham Palace.
For more: Gallery from Zimbio.
Well this is delightful from top to bottom, isn't it? A jolly QEII and a somewhat rare brooch - only the second outing for the Cullinan VI and VIII brooch since this blog started.


Photo: WPA Pool via Getty Images
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10 July 2014

Visit to Derbyshire

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh visited Derbyshire, celebrating the 230th anniversary of knitwear company John Smedley Ltd. and visiting Chatsworth House, where they were hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.

For more: Video from ITN, gallery from Zimbio, article from the Derby Telegraph.
She took a couple days off (from public engagements, that is - I think we all know she never really takes time off) and to make up for it, she gave us another new-to-us brooch, and in a stone she rarely wears! See below.


Photo: ITN video
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Queen Mary's Turquoise and Diamond Brooch

Several pieces of turquoise jewelry were gifted to Princess Victoria Mary of Teck (the future Queen Mary) for her 1893 wedding to The Duke of York (the future King George V). Included among gems such as the Teck Turquoise Parure, a gift from Mary’s parents, was this brooch with a turquoise center and an ornate scrolling diamond surround. The brooch was a gift from Mary’s new in-laws, the future King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. They were, at the time, the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Queen Mary's Turquoise and Diamond Brooch
The brooch most likely passed to The Queen with many other jewels on Queen Mary’s death in 1953. The Queen – seemingly not a fan of turquoise stones, based on her rare use of the turquoise pieces at her disposal – waited until 2014 to wear it in public, making this another case of an extraordinary jewel waiting decades for a proper showcase.

Note: Provenance was initially unknown after the 2014 appearance, and the brooch was referred to here just as the Turquoise and Diamond Brooch. Commenter Franck’s theory of this brooch’s provenance was confirmed at the Royal Jewels of the World Message Board by poster Beth in 2016, who located an illustration of the wedding gift. Sincere thanks to them both.

Appearances:
17 August 2019: Crathie Kirk Hall Sale
23 May 2019: British Airways Centenary
27 January 2019: Church at Sandringham
16 May 2018: Victoria Cross and George Cross Association Reception
14 December 2017: Audiences at Buckingham Palace
15 May 2016: 90th Birthday Celebration at Windsor
28 November 2015: Visit to Malta, Day 3
28 September 2014: Church at Balmoral
10 July 2014: Visit to Derbyshire

Photo: PA
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