09 March 2015

Commonwealth Day

We will have a full fashion rundown of the royal attendees at the Commonwealth Day festivities on the other blog tomorrow, but until then, a brooch-focused look at The Queen's day of Commonwealth fun...

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh joined other members of the Royal Family at Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Day Observance Service.
For more: Zimbio gallery, BBC article.
The Gold Filigree Brooch is a good match for this coat, no? This is one of the newer brooches in the collection (newer to us, at least), but it continues to be popular with Her Maj. Update: And it has a special Commonwealth connection, coming from Singapore!



The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh were present at a Reception given by the Commonwealth Secretary-General at Marlborough House.
For more: Zimbio gallery.
Apparently popular enough there was no need to change it up for the evening reception. I adore this suit (of course I do, it's purple and sooo rich) but it needs something stronger. Rare is the day when I would prefer Ye Olde Sunflower Brooch, but if it can't be amethyst, it needs to be, I don't know, more golden than this.

Three Strand Pearl Necklace 


On February 12th, The Queen recorded her Commonwealth radio message.
For more: The address at The Commonwealth's YouTube site, Express article.
We saw this outfit back on the day it was worn, when she had an audience. Nice to have confirmation that my brooch guess was correct, though.


Photos: WPA Pool via Getty Images
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , ,

08 March 2015

Flashback: Iraq Service of Commemoration, 2009

Buckingham Palace made a rather late announcement to confirm that The Queen would be in attendance this coming Friday for the Service of Commemoration to mark the end of combat operations in Afghanistan at St Paul's Cathedral, when previously it was thought that The Prince of Wales would be leading the royal contingent (the Palace said it was just a matter of confirming The Queen's diary). In the interim, many brought up the fact that The Queen was present back in 2009 for a similar service to mark the end of combat in Iraq, and that's our flashback today.
Most of the time, if you see a photo of Her Majesty wearing a brooch on her right side, you're probably looking at something that's been flipped. This is one of the rare occasions when the photos haven't been flipped, because to accommodate the outfit's decorations, the Cullinan V Brooch was worn on the "wrong" side. Which looks quite strange if you're as accustomed to daily brooch checks as I am, but I have to say, I do like a heart-shaped brooch for an occasion like this.
Anyway, I'm glad she'll be attending Friday's events. A large royal group will be on hand - The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, The Duke of York, The Earl and Countess of Wessex and The Duke of Gloucester - so stay tuned.

Photos: Samir Hussein/WireImage via Getty Images
Posted by at
Labels:

05 March 2015

State Visit from Mexico, Farewell

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh bid farewell to The President of the United Mexican States, Señor Enrique Peña Nieto, and Señora Angélica Rivera de Peña at the end of their State Visit to the United Kingdom.
For more: ITNSource video, Zimbio gallery.
The texture and color of this suit has basically made Cullinans VI and VIII disappear, which is quite a crime indeed. Suit jail for you, pink nubbly thing!


Photo:WPA Pool via Getty Images, ITNSource video
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , ,

03 March 2015

State Visit from Mexico, Welcome Ceremony and State Banquet

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh welcomed The President of the United Mexican States, Señor Enrique Peña Nieto, accompanied by Señora Angélica Rivera de Peña, at the beginning of his State Visit to the United Kingdom.
For more: Express article, Daily Mail photos, Zimbio gallery.
Well, isn't this a jolly start to the first state visit of the year? I think we have an official front runner for this year's favorite brooch competition now, with the paisley/palm leaf/whateva making its third appearance. Interestingly, though the brooch was in its standard position on her coat outside (above), when she moved inside, she switched it up:

Instead of going brooch-less (perish the thought!) she moved it over to the other side to avoid her dress decoration.
Engagement and Wedding Rings

Also getting in on the brooch game was The Duchess of Cornwall, who greeted the President and First Lady at the start of the day wearing her gorgeous pansy brooches, always a favorite for her when she wears purple outfits. (And you know I approve of that.)

And then: State Banquet time! The very best time, of course.


The Queen, along with other members of the Royal Family, gave a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace for The President of the United Mexican States.

Diamonds and white, of course. But I do note that this is the first time since this blog began (2012) that we've seen Queen Alexandra's Kokoshnik Tiara worn for a current event, and I did not think it had been that long.

Queen Alexandra's Kokoshnik Tiara
Diamond Pear-Shaped Pendant Fringe Necklace
Grand Collar of the Order of the Aztec Eagle
Diamond Cluster Earrings
Baguette and Brilliant Bracelet
Evening Watch

Extra kudos to the First Lady, who looks absolutely fantastic (just as she did for the welcome ceremony).

UPDATE #1:
A few more photos from the banquet have come out.

Looks like we have the mysterious Diamond Cluster Earrings on The Queen. And below, you can juuuuust see that The Duchess of Cornwall appears to be wearing the Greville Tiara (no shock there). She is in her normal spot, right next to the President at the head table.


UPDATE #2:
Video of The Queen's speech!



You have to respect the wall of sparkle that is the Kokoshnik.
The video gives us a better view of Camilla, who is wearing her Four Strand Pearl Choker with Large Diamond Clasp and her favorite pair of pearl earrings, and a back view of The Princess Royal, who appears to be wearing the Meander Tiara. You can also spot The Duchess of Gloucester, wearing red along one of the side tables, but not a good enough view to make out her tiara so far. (Per the Court Circular, the following members of the family were present in addition to Her Maj and the DoE: The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke of York, The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and The Duke of Kent.)

Photos: via Getty Images as indicated, British Monarchy video
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , ,

02 March 2015

New Coinage Portrait

A new portrait of The Queen to feature on United Kingdom coins, the fifth coin portrait of her reign, has been unveiled. The coin portraits are usually updated every 15-20 years; the last update was in 1998. The new portrait is by Royal Mint engraver Jody Clark.
For more: BBC article and video, Royal Mint article
Very regal and a great likeness of Her Majesty, don't you think? Realistic but flattering too. The George IV State Diadem (a.k.a. the Diamond Diadem) replaces the Girls of Great Britain & Ireland Tiara from the last portrait, and it looks to be matched quite fittingly here with Queen Victoria's Pearl Drop Earrings.
Above, the artist with the new portrait and two of the previous coin portraits


Photos: Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images
Posted by at
Labels: , ,

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
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , ,

23 February 2015

Magna Carta Anniversary Reception

The Queen, with The Duke of Edinburgh, hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace marking the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta.
For more: BBC article.
This orange red feels like a nice spot of brightness after a series of blues, no? I like the shake up with the tiers on the skirt, too. And the Jardine Star is the brooch of the month, making its second appearance.


Photos: WPAPool via Getty Images
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)