21 June 2017

State Opening of Parliament and Royal Ascot, Day 2

The Queen, accompanied by The Prince of Wales, traveled to the Palace of Westminster to open the Session of Parliament.

As promised, this year's State Opening of Parliament was a "dressed down" version, thanks to the speedy schedule. Business as usual meant that those of us hoping The Queen's jewels might reflect a more special occasion were disappointed - not that one could ever be too terribly disappointed with an 18.8 carat diamond, of course, but she stuck with her usual day pearls and earrings.

Cullinan V Brooch



What was not business as usual: The Prince of Wales stood in for The Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Philip was hospitalized Tuesday night for an infection, according to a Buckingham Palace spokesperson: "The Duke of Edinburgh was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital in London last night, as a precautionary measure, for treatment of an infection arising from a pre-existing condition. Prince Philip is in good spirits and is disappointed to be missing the State Opening of Parliament and Royal Ascot. The Prince of Wales will accompany The Queen to the State Opening. Her Majesty is being kept informed and will attend Royal Ascot as planned this afternoon."



And so The Queen carried on, sporting a delphinium blue coat with a blue and yellow floral silk dress and matching hat adorned with flowers by Angela Kelly. An outfit which, many have noted, sorta kinda dresses her up like...the European flag. Because if you're gonna make The Queen schlep down to London on an Ascot day, you're gonna get trolled.

I watched The Queen's Speech on 2x speed, which is exactly how I imagine it went in Her Maj's head. She had to get to Ascot, and she had to make it in time for an outfit and brooch change (people bet on those hats, you know, it just won't do to be tipping them off early!), so speed.it.up.


The Queen honored Ascot Races with her presence today.


Recruiting The Duchess of Cornwall to help continue the day's yellow and blue theme, The Queen wore another ensemble designed by Stewart Parvin and Rachel Trevor-Morgan. She swapped in the Flame Lily Brooch for an extra bit of diamond sparkle.

Flame Lily Brooch



The Duchess of Cornwall repeated her outfit from Princess Charlotte's christening as she continued to display her resplendent collection of pearl chokers. The Duchess of Gloucester wasn't slouching on the jewel front either; check out her sneaky use of diamond and ruby clip brooches at the neckline. Elegantly piled on, just how I like it.

Four Strand Pearl Choker with Large Diamond Clasp
Everyday Pearl Pendant Earrings 

As always, review of the rest of the family's fashions is still to come over at the other blog, so stay tuned.
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20 June 2017

Royal Ascot, Day 1

The Queen honored Ascot Races with her presence today.

A color splash from Stewart Parvin and Rachel Trevor-Morgan kicks off this year's Ascot outfit parade. I confess, I was a little afraid at first peek that Her Maj might have repeated her bummer of an Ascot Day 1 brooch pick from last year - the Frosted Sunflower Brooch - but she went with a newer favorite in the golden family instead: the Singapore Peranakan Diamond Jubilee Brooch. Lime green, I suppose, isn't the easiest color to coordinate with.




While my vigil for the return of the Williamson Diamond Brooch continues, The Duchess of Cornwall kindly stepped in to fulfill my need for a pink jewel by wearing her pink topaz choker - a.k.a., one of my favorite Cams jewels. And Chaz even chipped in with a pink tie! A+ Ascot coordination.

Five Strand Pearl Choker with Pink Topaz Clasp
Everyday Pearl Pendant Earrings 


Stay tuned to the other blog for highlights from the other royal family members present, including some more jewels from Her Maj's vault on loan!
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18 June 2017

The Diamond Rose of York Brooch

The Queen wears her Diamond Rose of York Brooch, 2017 
One of many diamond floral brooches in The Queen’s jewel vault, this diamond rosette brooch features a diamond center surrounded by two sets of petals, five petals to each layer. In shape and color it resembles the White Rose of York, the heraldic symbol that was combined with the Red Rose of Lancaster to create the Tudor rose emblem (hence the name I have used here for the brooch).


The Queen wears the brooch in 2004 
While the exact provenance of this brooch is unconfirmed, an heirloom from Queen Mary seems likely. The wedding gifts from Mary’s 1893 marriage to the future George V included two diamond brooches (as noted by Royal Magazin): one from the bridegroom, and one from the West Yorkshire Regiment. Since the bride's new title was The Duchess of York, these ties make sense. There are more than two possible rose brooches seen on later members of the royal family that could be Mary’s wedding gifts – or, of course, from other sources or from later in Mary’s life. With such possible symbolism and such a simple floral design to start, it’s no surprise that multiple examples exist.

Other diamond rose brooches: one in Princess Margaret's collection (left, sold in 2006), and one given from Queen Mary to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (right)
In addition to the brooch worn by The Queen, a York rose brooch was among the jewels auctioned from the estate of the late Princess Margaret in 2006. A diamond rose brooch was also included among the jewels given from Queen Mary to the future Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother as a wedding gift in 1923; Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon was also titled The Duchess of York at the beginning of her marriage. The Queen Mother’s brooch is thought to match one worn today by The Duchess of Cornwall. There is also a five petal diamond flower used as a clasp on Queen Mary's Pearl and Diamond Floral Bracelet now worn by The Queen.

Whatever its provenance, this pretty brooch is a rare one to see on The Queen. She has others of similar theme and shape, such as the Nizam of Hyderabad Rose Brooches and the Cartier Diamond Rose Clip Brooch, as well as many other brooches to pick from in the diamond floral category.

With thanks to Franck for the 2004 appearance.

Appearances:
18 June 2017: Cartier Queen's Cup Polo
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Cartier Queen's Cup Polo

The Queen attended the Cartier Queen's Cup Final at Guards Polo Club, Windsor Great Park.

Well, well, well. I do believe we have a brooch debut on our hands - but since there are sooooo many diamond floral brooches floating around, I'll wanted to see what everyone thinks before I do a brooch post for it. (And, update: this brooch has indeed been worn in the past, with thanks to Franck.)



This one is a diamond rosette with five petals, which is not enough petals and not enough shape to be either the Cartier Diamond Rose Clip Brooch or one of the smaller Nizam of Hyderabad Rose Brooches. It most closely resembles a diamond rosette brooch worn by The Duchess of Cornwall, which was most likely one of The Queen Mother's wedding gifts that came from Queen Mary and may have been one of her wedding gifts; Queen Mary had at least two. It's also very close to a diamond rose brooch sold when Princess Margaret's jewels were auctioned (and that brooch was also likely from Queen Mary). It's one big tangled web of diamond floral brooches, y'all.

Any thoughts or leads, friends? The Daily Mail site does have a couple more pics, if you're so inclined.
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17 June 2017

Trooping the Colour

{Check out the rest of the Trooping family fashions here at the other blog!}

Her Majesty, accompanied by members of the Royal Family, was present at The Queen's Birthday Parade on Horse Guards Parade at which The Queen's Colour of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards was trooped.
Sgt Rupert Frere/MOD Crown copyright 2017

One of my favorite QEII outfits, twice in one month! What a treat. Here, of course, it's styled with her usual choice for Trooping the Colour: the Brigade of Guards Badge, representing the five Household Regiments.

PO(Phot)Owen Cooban/Crown Copyright 2017

One change to this year's ceremony: both The Duke of Edinburgh and The Duke of Kent ditched their uniforms in favor of morning dress and top hats. On a day so hot several guardsmen fainted, I don't think anyone can blame a 96-year-old and an 81-year-old for opting out of bearskin hats and heavy uniforms.

ITN screencap

The Queen also issued a statement today and they observed a minute of silence for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire.

Hitting just the right note, as always.
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16 June 2017

Grenfell Tower Relief Center Visit and Audiences at Buckingham Palace (Plus, a New Brooch!)

The Queen and The Duke of Cambridge visited a relief center for victims of this week's Grenfell Tower fire in London.

These two make a great team, and this brooch was a great choice. The City of London Lily Brooch was a gift to Princess Elizabeth in 1947 when she was granted the Freedom of the City. It's not a common selection for The Queen (we last saw it in 2012, the only time it has been worn since this blog started) so it feels like an intentional bit of London pride.



The Queen also held an audience at Buckingham Palace.

This is the dress that goes under her blue coat from the relief center visit, with a different brooch. My original thought here was the Diamond Art Deco Double Clip. The shape is also close to the Triple Diamond Bar Brooch, but I'm calling it for the Double Clip.

This audience was with the Czech president and his family, and - unless Google translate is doing me wrong here - I believe Her Majesty picked up another brooch for her collection.
A Bohemian garnet brooch and a silk scarf! The brooch has four rows of garnets and the comments on that tweet point out that a very similar model is available for purchase at this web shop.
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15 June 2017

Upper North Street School Commemoration

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh attended a memorial service marking the 100th anniversary of the World War I bombing of Upper North Street School, which was the first daylight bombing raid by plane on London. They also visited the rebuilt school, now named Mayflower Primary School.
For more: Zimbio gallery.

A brooch that must be tied to The Queen's own memories of another world war seems somewhat fitting here, right? The return of the Aquamarine Clips continues our recent streak of favorites making late 2017 debuts; we haven't seen these popular twin baubles since November 2016. Maybe they've been gone so long she's forgotten that she usually wears them a little ore staggered than this. These are basically on top of each other.

Royal Family

(I liked this unusual top view of her Rachel Trevor-Morgan hat.) Anyway, I say good, let's get these faves out of the way now and *fingers crossed* make way for something new for Ascot...


So, yes, SPEAKING OF ASCOT: The State Opening of Parliament was delayed a couple days and will now be held on Wednesday, June 21. This puts it right during Ascot. According to Richard Palmer at the Express, though, Her Maj is determined to finish up her parliamentary duties in time to make the first race of the day. She's done it before, in 2001 (when a bit of the pomp was actually cut out to get her out of there quicker!). Do NOT mess with Ascot, people.
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