30 November 2015

Audience at Windsor Castle

The Queen received the Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda, Sir Rodney Williams, at Windsor Castle for a private audience.
Another look inside The Queen's private sitting room at Windsor, fresh for your analysis! You'll remember this is where she had her cozy audience with the New Zealand Prime Minister last month, and now we have a little different angle. That red carpet just takes a room right over, no?


Photo: WPA Pool via Getty Images
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28 November 2015

Malta Visit: Day 3, Departure

On the third and final day of their State Visit to Malta, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh visited Heritage Malta and Marsa Racecourse before their official farewell ceremony and departure from Malta International airport. The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall ended their Malta trip with an engagement in Mdina before departing.
One more rare-ish brooch for the road! This is the third time we've seen this turquoise brooch following its debut last year. Turquoise can be a bit polarizing when it comes to fine jewelry, but this is a perfect example of how well it can work when it's done right. And, of course, this is the perfect end to a trip full of sparkly delights.



The Duchess of Cornwall ended her trip with an impressive dedication to her chosen flying bug theme: first dragonfly brooches, then a moth brooch, and now a sapphire and diamond butterfly brooch (yet a another piece we have not covered here).
Longtime readers will know that I generally CANNOT with the bug jewelry. But, go figure, Camilla has managed to wear three in a row that I find quite lovely. One of many reasons we had to add her to our little blog scope.


Recap Time!

Day 1: Prince Albert's Sapphire
Day 2: Mysterious aquamarine debut
Day 2, Dinner: Emeralds for days
Day 3: Turquoise fun

Favorite jewel moment for you? For me, well, nothing beats emeralds with my beloved pink topaz set for Camilla.
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27 November 2015

Malta Visit: Day 2, CHOGM Dinner

The Queen attended the official gala dinner for the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at the Corinthia Palace Hotel in Attard, Malta. She was joined by The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, and The Duchess of Cornwall.
Day two and the jumpy claps just keep coming! On top of her interesting brooches during the day, The Queen continued to bring the jewel delight with another appearance in her glorious Cambridge Emerald and Delhi Durbar Parure!
British Monarchy Twitter
Queen Mary's impressive green stones had slept in the vault for several years before The Queen brought them back at last year's Irish state banquet. I thought we'd have a long wait to see them again, but I am delighted to be proven wrong. They look spectacular against her standard evening white ensemble.

The jumpy claps came from all directions, I might add. From her toast at the dinner, maybe my new favorite HM quote: "Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister of Canada, for making me feel so old!" (Here's the text of his toast, to which she was responding.)
Times of Malta video screencap. See the toasts on video (and some diamond sparkle) here.
Queen Mary's Emerald Art Deco Bracelet (not yet covered)
Diamond Evening Watch

The Duchess of Cornwall was also looking fab and she too brought out some favorite pieces. As expected, she stuck with her standard diadem, the Greville Tiara, plus one of my very favorite sets from her collection: her pearl choker with pink topaz and diamond clasp and the matching pink topaz and diamond earrings. These are gorgeous and they make a lovely and unexpected pair for her gray gown. She also wore The Queen's Royal Family Order.
Clarence House Twitter
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Malta Visit: Day 2, CHOGM Opening Ceremony

The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, and The Duchess of Cornwall attended the opening ceremony of the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on the second day of their visit to Malta. Afterward, The Queen and The Prince of Wales hosted a reception for the new Commonwealth Heads of Government at San Anton Palace.
CHOGM Malta screencap
 For more: Vimeo opening ceremony recap, Zimbio gallery.
Day two brings us some brooch intrigue! {Insert jumpy claps here} This one looks like an aquamarine brooch with a diamond surround, and I think it is new to me...

What do you think? Ringing any bells for anyone? (And what should we name it here, huh? Update: I'm going with the Malta Aquamarine Brooch.) Let me know your thoughts!  Whatever it is, it is pretty. Oh my, I'd take this one off Her Maj's hands in no time.
CHOGM Malta Flickr/DOI-Omar Camilleri, click here for galleries
Anyway, she also wore this brooch and outfit, sans hat, for the reception after the opening ceremony.

Malta Aquamarine Brooch


I love The Duchess of Cornwall's outfit choice for the opening ceremony, which she paired with Everyday Pearl Pendant Earrings and the large version of her diamond-clasped four strand pearl chokers. And she must be in a bit of a buggy mood, because she followed up yesterday's diamond and sapphire dragonfly brooches with her diamond moth brooch (not yet covered here).


Also today, The Queen held a private audience with Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki Moon at San Anton Palace.
Finally, this is another rare brooch for Her Majesty which happily reappeared last year: the Emerald and Diamond Celtic Knot Brooch.


We'll be back later with another post, for tonight is the fancy CHOGM dinner, and I'm ready for some sparkle...
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26 November 2015

Malta Visit: Day 1, Arrival and Reception

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrived in Malta for a State Visit and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. They attended a ceremonial welcome with the President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, followed by an evening reception hosted by the President at San Anton Palace.
Following an appearance while arriving for her earlier state visit to Germany, the Albert Sapphire is now 2015's official state visitin' brooch, I guess. Works for me. After wearing it on her arrival outfit, she switched it over to her evening outfit for the reception the President gave in her honor.
HM and the DoE were presented with a painting of the villa their old home on the island, and the memories continued (and will continue) to flow:



The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall are also in Malta. The Duchess visited Mdina Glass as the couple followed their own programs for the first day.
Apparently it was a sapphire day all around! Camilla joined the party in her Sapphire and Diamond Dragonfly Clips from Van Cleef & Arpels.

They came along for the evening reception, and of course it's difficult to tell what jewels The Duchess may have been wearing (apart from one of her usual multi-stone bracelets, that is). I do like that green lace, though.


Photos:ITNSource video, via Getty Images
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25 November 2015

Audience at Buckingham Palace

The Queen received the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, for a private audience at Buckingham Palace.
A brooch with special family history for a prime minister with special family history, I like it. (Plus, plenty of bonus shots including the photos sitting around the room, and I know some of you love to check those out.)

Photos:via Getty Images and CBC screencap
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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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