12 December 2019

Audiences at Buckingham Palace

The Queen held audiences at Buckingham Palace. The King and Queen of Malaysia were also received today.
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A change of room scenery and a change of brooch scenery! We most often get pictures of The Queen receiving credentials from ambassadors in the 1844 Room (as pictured last week, for example), but she shook it up today in the White Drawing Room. You can see a 360° view on the Royal Family site here (where it does say that this is a room regularly used for these types of audiences, so fair enough). Today's brooch selection is the Grima Ruby, last seen in the 2018 Christmas broadcast.

11 December 2019

The 2019 Diplomatic Reception and Audiences at Buckingham Palace

The Queen hosted the annual Diplomatic Reception for ambassadors at Buckingham Palace. The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke of Cambridge, and The Duchess of Cambridge were also present.
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Oh, we're feasting today, friends. The annual Diplomatic Reception has brought us not just tiaras but surprises beginning with THIS. NECKLACE. This is a debut for The Queen! The base looks similar to the Greville Emerald Necklace worn by The Queen Mother, though the diamonds surrounding the emeralds appear different (granted, pictures of the Greville Emerald Necklace are sparse). The necklace is adorned with emerald and diamond pendants that coordinate perfectly with the emerald option of her Vladimir Tiara. This necklace may likely be another piece from the Greville bequest; Mrs. Greville was at times reported to have more than one emerald necklace.

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The Queen is also wearing the Greville Emerald Earrings, often The Queen Mother's choice to go with the Greville Emerald Necklace. It's not the first time The Queen has worn them (we haven't covered them yet, but we will).

The Queen's full jewel list:

Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara
Greville Emerald Earrings
Emerald and Diamond Pendant Necklace
Diamond and Emerald Bracelets from The Queen Mother's Cartier Bracelet Quintet
Evening Watch


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The Duchess of Cornwall was  up to her usual tricks, wearing a favorite repeated Bruce Oldfield gown and a set of favorite jewels.

Greville Tiara
Pear Drop Diamond Earrings
Four Strand Pearl Choker with Large Diamond Clasp
Art Deco Diamond Brooch (on shoulder securing sash)
Diamond Bracelet
Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II
Star, Riband, and Badge of the Royal Victorian Order


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To go with her navy velvet Alexander McQueen gown (LOVE, of course - I am a confessed lover of a great velvet gown), The Duchess of Cambridge borrowed a bunch of exciting pieces. She wore the Nizam of Hyderabad Necklace again and a new-to-her pair of earrings from the Diamond Chandelier Chandelier Drop Demi-Parure, the same set The Countess of Wessex appeared to wear at the state banquet earlier this year.

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The Duchess is also wearing a a second large ring in addition to her engagement ring.

Lover's Knot Tiara
Diamond Chandelier Chandelier Drop Earrings
Nizam of Hyderabad Necklace
Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II
Star, Riband, and Badge of the Royal Victorian Order


Earlier, The Queen held audiences at Buckingham Palace.

In this other photo, it looks like this could be the Kent Amethyst.

04 December 2019

Audiences at Buckingham Palace

The Queen held audiences at Buckingham Palace.
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The Diamond and Pearl Navette here is poised to stroll right into a second appearance on the year-end favorites list, racking up its fifth outing for 2019.

03 December 2019

NATO Leaders Reception and Audiences at Buckingham Palace

The Queen, along with other members of the Royal Family, hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace for Heads of State and Government of NATO countries to mark 70 years of the Alliance.
Royal Family

Folks, we've got a three brooch day on our hands. #1: The Palm Leaf Brooch accented the scarf on Her Maj's outfit for the evening reception.



The Queen held audiences at Buckingham Palace.
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#2: The Jardine Star came along for a private audience with the NATO Secretary General.

Jardine Star Brooch

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And #3: I thought this would be the same because the outfit is the same, but if you can make it out, it's yet another one! The Maple Leaf Brooch handled the other audience duties for the day.

Maple Leaf Brooch 


Let's bop back to the NATO reception for a second before we go, because there were other family members with more gems...

Royal Family

Naturally, one of The Duchess of Cornwall's favorite (and signature) pearl chokers was her pick for the event.

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The Duchess of Cambridge leaned into the evening side of things with the Diamond Pendant Earrings on loan again from The Queen.

Royal Family

The Duchess of Gloucester was right there with her with emerald earrings and a necklace of pearls and emeralds, part of a set originating with Queen Alexandra that was later worn and altered by Queen Mary and Princess Alice.

Royal Family

And finally, it looks like The Princess Royal selected her Grima pearl earrings.

26 November 2019

Royal Philatelic Society 150th Anniversary

The Queen visited The Royal Philatelic Society in London to open a new building on its 150th Anniversary.
Royal Family

The fifth appearance for this emerald this year, and the first without the pendant. I'll take that pro-pendant ratio.

Royal Family

22 November 2019

20 November 2019

Chatham House Prizegiving, Audiences at Buckingham Palace, and Church at Windsor Castle

The Queen attended the 2019 Chatham House Prizegiving event at Chatham House, London. Earlier in the day, she held audiences at Buckingham Palace.
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The Small Pink and Diamond Brooch was the definite selection for the evening's event...

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...and it was my first thought for the day, although it looks like that could be something of a different shape in the end. Two outfits does usually mean two different brooches.

Engagement and Wedding Rings 


November  17: The Queen attended church while staying at Windsor Castle for the weekend.

No question here, though: the Flower Basket, on just its second appearance for the year.

Flower Basket Brooch