20 October 2015

State Visit from China, Welcome Ceremony

The Queen and other members of the Royal Family welcomed the President of The People’s Republic of China, Mr. Xi Jinping, and Madame Peng Liyuan at the start of his State Visit to the United Kingdom.
Obviously, I find this lilac gray Stewart Parvin tweed coat and Rachel Trevor-Morgan hat would have been enhanced by a touch of amethysts, but that's how I always feel, so never mind me. Instead, we get the Modern Ruby Brooch to kick off this much-anticipated (and controversial) state visit.

Three Strand Pearl Necklace


The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall met the Chinese first couple at their hotel and escorted them to the welcome ceremony today.

It was nice to see The Duchess in a suite of jewels we've covered here before, including regular favorites in the form of her Everyday Pearl Pendant Earrings, her Gold Chain Bracelet with Multi-Color Stones, and her Four Strand Pearl Choker with Small Diamond Clasp. She also wore her pair of Cosmos Brooches from Van Cleef & Arpels.


UPDATES:
Back at Buckingham Palace, the traditional exchange of gifts occurred. The Queen gave the Chinese president a collection of Shakespeare's sonnets in a specially commissioned leather and gilt box and a pair of Royal Crown Derby candlesticks for Madame Peng, in addition to the standard gift of a silver-framed set of portraits of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. From President Xi, The Queen received two of Madame Peng's albums (she's a famous folk singer in China) along with a 1.18 meter long work of embroidery, a stamp booklet, and a wood carving.

The President and Madame Peng joined The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall for tea at Clarence House, where Camilla changed into her pearl choker with an Art Deco sapphire clasp, the newest addition to her choker collection.

The Duke of Cambridge also met with the President today, at Buckingham Palace.


And The Queen inspected the scene for the state banquet, as she always does! Updated to add: In this Flickr behind-the-scenes gallery, we can identify The Queen's brooch as the Flower Basket Brooch.


Stay tuned for another post later for tonight's state banquet.

Photos: via Getty Images
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17 October 2015

British Champions Day at Royal Ascot and Investiture at Windsor Castle

October 16: The Queen held an Investiture at Windsor Castle.
October 17: The Queen visited Ascot Racecourse for the QIPCO British Champions Day.
She made a classic pairing with a purple dress and the Kent Amethyst Brooch for the Investiture, and then another old favorite combo in this sherbet suit and hat and gold brooch.We haven't seen ye old Frosted Sunflower very much this year, and I must say, I've been enjoying its break. (Which is pretty much the same thing I said last time - and yep, still true!)


Photo: via Getty Images
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15 October 2015

University of Surrey Visit

The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, visited the University of Surrey to open the new School of Veterinary Medicine.
Real horses and fictional horses, all in one day! This is some A+ royal engagement game right here. Number of animals to meet ought to bump your request for a visit up several notches on the royal priority list.


Photos:via Getty Images and ITN video screencap
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14 October 2015

Audiences at Buckingham Palace

The Queen held audiences at Buckingham Palace.
It's the return of an old friend on the brooch front, while this particular audience (one of a few held today) points toward what's to come...


The Queen poses above with Great Britain's Ambassador to China, Barbara Woodward. The Chinese state visit is next week, and some new details are out today:

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will participate in the welcome ceremony on October 20th and host the Chinese president and wife for tea at Clarence House, The Duke of Cambridge will visit the President at Buckingham Palace on the 20th, and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will join the President and his wife at an event at Lancaster House on the 21st. 

The state banquet will be held on the 20th. Buckingham Palace didn't confirm whether The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be in attendance; they usually don't confirm who will be there in advance, but it apparently has been confirmed that Prince Charles will not be at the banquet. Of course, the Cambridge's assumed attendance continues to be widely reported. Here's a good rundown of the announced events.


Photo: WPA Pool via Getty Images
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13 October 2015

Audiences at Buckingham Palace

The Queen held audiences at Buckingham Palace.
Are you telling me that we not only get to see a brooch at an audience for a change, but it happens to be the Cullinan V on a pink background?? My, my. This is shaping up to be a very swoony week.


Photo: WPA Pool via Getty Images
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12 October 2015

Rugby World Cup Reception and Investiture at Buckingham Palace

Friday, October 9: The Queen held an Investiture at Buckingham Palace.
Our first glimpse of The Queen back at work in London came on Friday, but since it was an investiture, no brooch looks were forthcoming. {Sad face.}


Today: The Queen, joined by other members of the Royal Family, hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace for the Rugby World Cup 2015.
So I choose to consider this her official return to business instead, and there's no better way to make a comeback than in the richest of purples with amethysts to boot (says me). Scrumptious.

Amethyst Bouquet Brooch


Photos: via Twitter, Getty Images, and ITNSource video
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08 October 2015

Flashback: State Visit from China, 2005

The Queen has now returned to Buckingham Palace and is getting ready for a busy fall schedule. One of the highlights will be a state visit from the Chinese president from October 20-23. The last incoming state visit from the People's Republic of China was ten years ago, when Hu Jintao visited in November 2005. A quick flashback:

As The Queen was, by this time, quite firmly set with her favorite brooches, the appearance of the City of London Lily Brooch for the welcome ceremony (above) was as exciting as the brooch schedule got. Given to then-Princess Elizabeth when she received the Freedom of the City of London in 1947, the diamond pin is the most flattering part of this outfit (that hat...well, it's not a favorite of mine).

Also by this time, The Queen had settled into her white-on-white state banquet dress code, this gold number being one of the occasional "exceptions".  Without a Chinese order to wear, she stuck to her Garter regalia and her Royal Family Orders.
Her Majesty did make one of my absolute favorite jewel pairings, though: the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara and the King Khalid Diamond Necklace, a match made in heaven. She added the Antique Girandole Earrings and what looks like Queen Mary's Chain-Link Bracelet.

The most interesting jewel selection was not from The Queen but from The Princess Royal, who wore a "mystery" tiara (of course, since we hardly get glimpses of other Royal Family members at state banquets, it was hard to see; click here for Anne and here for the piece she was probably wearing). Let's hope the upcoming Buckingham Palace state banquet brings something equally interesting...

 Photos: via Getty Images
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