(Updated) The Queen's 90th Birthday Service and Governors-General Luncheon

The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh - celebrating his 95th birthday today - and other members of the Royal Family, attended a service of National Thanksgiving in celebration of her 90th birthday at St. Paul's Cathedral, London.

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You can find a full fashion round up at the other blog, but over here: THAT BROOCH. Oh, Her Maj went big for her big birthday, busting out the Richmond Brooch from Queen Mary's stash. She's only worn it a few times, the last being in 2014. She still did not choose to use the brooch's optional pearl pendant, but it was the perfect accompaniment to her sunshine yellow Angela Kelly outfit, which included motifs that seemed a nod towards the design of the Richmond. She also upped her game with the larger of her pearl and diamond button earring options from Queen Mary.

Richmond Brooch

Ladies of Devonshire Earrings

Three Strand Pearl Necklace

Chief among the 50-plus members of the Royal Family in attendance were The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, of course. Repeating a Bruce Oldfield outfit and Philip Treacy hat, Camilla wore the smaller of her diamond clasp pearl chokers and some of her favorite bug brooches. This is a fabulous outfit, though rather understated on her scale - jewelry and all.

Sapphire and Diamond Dragonfly Clips

Four Strand Pearl Choker with Small Diamond Clasp

Everyday Pearl Pendant Earrings

Later, a luncheon and reception was held at Buckingham Palace for visiting Governors-General. The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, and The Duchess of Cornwall were in attendance.

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For later, a shout-out to her fellow longest reigning sovereign, Queen Victoria. This is already the fifth appearance of Queen Victoria's Bow Brooch for the year, so it's well on its way to earning a spot on the 2016 list of favorite brooches (again). For The Duchess of Cornwall, she appears to have simply removed her coat and its brooches, sticking to her pearl choker for ornamentation.

Queen Victoria's Bow Brooch

Photos: BBC screencap, via Getty Images as indicated

Commonwealth Hub Launch

The Queen visited Marlborough House, London, to launch the Commonwealth Hub.

Click to enlarge. Commonwealth Secretariat via CC BY-NC 2.0

For more: Zimbio gallery, Commonwealth Secretariat Flickr.

This is the second pink outfit in a row proving that this pink sapphire brooch is the perfect match for a busy pink pattern. I wouldn't mind swapping this plump marshmallow of a hat for the last one, though.

Small Pink and Diamond Brooch

Queen Mary's Button Earrings

Three Strand Pearl Necklace

Audiences at Buckingham Palace

The Queen held audiences at Buckingham Palace.

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Her Maj has worn the Sapphire and Diamond Grapes Brooch in the past with this dress, using its sapphire bow to complete the total bow theme. I surely won't argue with dispensing with the bows for Prince Albert's Sapphire this time around, though.

Prince Albert's Sapphire Brooch

Queen Mary's Button Earrings

Three Strand Pearl Necklace

Gold Watch

Engagement and Wedding Rings 

Visit to Wales

The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, and The Duchess of Cornwall, addressed the opening of the Fifth Session of The National Assembly, Cardiff, Wales. The Queen also opened the new Brain Research Imaging Centre at Cardiff University.

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For more: Zimbio gallery.

I suppose we could say that this is a brooch with a Welsh connection of the sneaky variety, having been a gift for the birth of the current Prince of Wales and all.

Flower Basket Brooch

Queen Mary's Button Earrings

Three Strand Pearl Necklace


The Duchess of Cornwall, on the other hand, opted for a more obvious connection, wearing one of her brooches featuring the Prince of Wales feathers.

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This is about as much jewelry as this particular outfit can take, but I still wish we'd seen something different. That's just me getting my hopes up - she wore my favorite Pink Topaz Choker for the opening of the Fourth Session, so anything less was bound to be a bit of a let down.

Pearl and Diamond Prince of Wales Feathers Brooch
Four Strand Pearl Choker with Small Diamond Clasp
Everyday Pearl Earrings

Epsom Derby

The Queen, accompanied by other members of the Royal Family, attended Investec Derby Day at Epsom Downs Racecourse.

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For more: Zimbio gallery.

Some of you requested the Cullinan V for an Ascot brooch, but clearly Her Maj just couldn't wait that long to fulfill your request.

Cullinan V Brooch

Queen Mary's Button Earrings

Three Strand Pearl Necklace

Gold Watch

Engagement and Wedding Rings 

Place Your Bets in the Ascot Brooch Stakes!

June has arrived, and that means it's only a matter of time before Royal Ascot is upon us (June 14-18, to be specific). Before we get swept away with the many other treats that June has to offer, let's take a moment to play one of my favorite guessing games: the Ascot Brooch Stakes!

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The Queen arriving at Royal Ascot in 1952, wearing the Dorset Bow Brooch

Some bet on the horses; some bet on the color of The Queen's hats; I'm far more concerned with the brooches, and Ascot offers five days of possibilities. Each of the last three years has brought us at least one new-to-us brooch debut, along with some rare sightings and a range of everyday faves. The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall usually attend at least one day, too, so we'll be keeping an eye out for Camilla's brooches as well. So, let's have some guesses: 

Which brooches do you think we'll see? More importantly (more entertaining, at least), what are you hoping we'll see?

My permanent request is to see the three pendants of the Kent Amethyst Brooch attached once again, of course. I'm also hoping for some more pieces to surface from the collection of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother - a request that goes for both HM and HRH. Fingers crossed...

Honourable Artillery Company Visit and Audiences at Buckingham Palace

The Queen held audiences at Buckingham Palace.

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It seems we have no brooch here - rare, but it happens. Prince Philip was on hand for one of the day's audiences, greeting the President of Germany, Joachim Gauck. The President attended the Battle of Jutland centenary events, which Philip missed due to a medical ailment. The Duke expressed his disappointment, telling the German president, "I want to apologize for not being there."

No Brooch

Queen Mary's Button Earrings

Three Strand Pearl Necklace

Gold Watch

Engagement and Wedding Rings 

Also today, The Queen, Captain General, visited the Honourable Artillery Company and unveiled a bronze bust of herself commissioned to honor her as the longest serving Captain General of the Company. Prince Michael of Kent, Royal Honorary Colonel, and Princess Michael of Kent were also present.

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For more: Evening Standard article, Zimbio gallery.

I assumed we'd have another regimental brooch on our hands today, but I must admit I'm quite glad to see this instead. We haven't seen Queen Mary's Russian Brooch since it made a couple of appearances in 2012, one of which was on this same outfit.

Queen Mary's Russian Brooch

Queen Mary's Button Earrings

Three Strand Pearl Necklace

Photos: via Getty Images as indicated, ITN screencaps