24 November 2015

General Synod Opening

The Queen, Supreme Governor of the Church of England, attended the inauguration of the Tenth General Synod. She was accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh.
I have to say, I think this Stewart Parvin coat/Rachel Trevor Morgan hat combo is one of Her Maj's best of late. There's a sophistication here, and I like her choice of taupe gloves (make a note, those of you that wonder why she only ever wears white and black).
It's easy to see why this favorite brooch got the nod today, though - anything else would have disappeared!

Photos: via Getty Images and Belfast Telegraph screencap
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23 November 2015

Flashback: CHOGM Dinner, Uganda, 2007

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall will accompany The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh later this week as they travel to Malta for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and a state visit. All four teamed up in Uganda for CHOGM 2007 as well, and when it came to The Queen's traditional banquet for Commonwealth heads, that meant double the tiara fun.

This was a big event for The Duchess of Cornwall two years after her marriage, and that was reflected in the jewels worn with her flattering blue gown: her standard Greville Tiara, the earrings from her Diamond Pear Drop Demi-Parure, and her public debut of the staggering Greville Festoon Necklace in its full five strand glory. She also had on her Royal Family Order, which she had worn for the first time the month before. This whole appearance belongs in the Camilla Tiara Appearance Hall of Fame, if you ask me.

The Queen wasn't too shabby herself: her usual Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara paired with the Antique Girandole Earrings and the Nizam of Hyderabad Necklace. (The Nizam necklace deserves a special honor for managing to be that sparkly despite being partially obstructed by the dress neckline, don't you think?) She also wore the Star of the Order of the Garter.

Needless to say, I am anxiously awaiting this year's dinner on Friday - especially since we missed Camilla at the last state banquet. Any jewel predictions or wishes?

Photos: via Getty Images
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21 November 2015

Queen Mary’s Diamond Indian Bangle Bracelets

Queen Mary's Diamond Indian Bangle Bracelets
Among the jewels Queen Mary picked from her own collection to give to her granddaughter, Princess Elizabeth, as wedding presents in 1947 was this set of two bangle bracelets. Each features a solid row of diamonds set in gold and silver.
Queen Mary
According to the Royal Collection, the bracelets were one of Mary’s own wedding presents, a gift to her from the Bombay Presidency (earlier, they had been listed as a 1907 gift to Mary from the Maharajah of Bikaner, in Leslie Field's The Queen's Jewels). Other gifts given by Queen Mary in 1947 also came from her 1893 wedding: the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara, the County of Cornwall Bracelet, the Devonshire earrings, the original jewels used to make Queen Mary's Stomacher, and the Dorset Bow Brooch.
The Queen, as Princess Elizabeth
The Queen has worn the Indian Bangle Bracelets, but more notably while she was still Princess Elizabeth. Her larger diamond bracelet options, such as Queen Mary’s Chain-Link Bracelet or Queen Victoria’s Diamond Bracelet, are more frequent pick for big events today.

Photos: Royal Collection/Queen Elizabeth II, via Getty Images
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19 November 2015

Visit to Birmingham

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh visited Birmingham, where they opened Birmingham New Street station and the Birmingham Dental Hospital and School of Dentistry.
The matching umbrellas are a staple of Her Maj's wardrobe, and yet they amuse me every.single.time. (I really should get out more.) All we needed here was a pink brooch to complete the Pretty in Pink ensemble, not that I object to the trusty Jardine Star.


Photo: WPA Pool via Getty Images
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17 November 2015

Flashback: State Visit to Malta, State Banquet, 2005

Ten years ago, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh traveled to Malta to do just what they'll do again this month: attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), and combine that with a state visit. The trip had plenty of sparkly moments, but the crown jewel (heh) of the 2005 trip came at the state dinner hosted by President Eddie Fenech Adami.

Behold! The glorious Oriental Circlet. To date, this is the only time The Queen has worn this diadem in public, a fact which makes me both glad (that she wore it at all) and ever so sad (because I love this one, and doesn't it look perfect on her?).

Made originally for Queen Victoria and designed by Prince Albert, the ruby tiara was one of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's signature jewels. But instead of wearing it just as her mother usually did, with Queen Victoria's Crown Ruby Necklace and Earrings, The Queen gave it her own spin.
She paired the tiara with Queen Mary's Ruby Cluster Earrings, the Baring Ruby Necklace, and a diamond and ruby bracelet and ring in Malta. We have yet to see her reunite the Crown Rubies and the Oriental Circlet, although my fingers remain crossed.

Photos: via Getty Images
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13 November 2015

Luncheon for the Prime Minister of India, and Audiences

The Queen received the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, at Buckingham Palace during his visit to the United Kingdom. Her Majesty hosted a luncheon for the Prime Minister, after which they viewed a selection of items from the Royal Collection with ties to India.
It's been nearly a year since we saw the lovely Flame Lily, which is too long in my book! Gorgeous piece.


The Queen also held audiences at Buckingham Palace today.
For more: Zimbio gallery.
We're back to the brooch guessing game. My money's on the Women of Hampshire Brooch, do you concur? (Wonderfully interesting jewelry on our guest here, too. This is the Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan, Gulnara Iskakova, who was among those presenting their credentials to The Queen today.)

Photos:via WPA Pool/Getty Images
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12 November 2015

Home Office Visit and Civil Service Awards Reception

The Queen visited the Home Office on the 10th anniversary of the Civil Service Awards, and later hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace for the Awards.
Civil Service/Crown Copyright
For more: Civil Service blog, Video on Youtube, Telegraph article.
A day of lovely blues and of old favorites for The Queen, starting with the Cullinan V on her blue Stewart Parvin coat during the day's visit and adding the Aquamarine Clips to her blue dress for the evening reception.

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