From Her Majesty's Jewel Vault

Engagement and Wedding Rings

Gold Watch

26 October 2018

The Duchess of Cornwall at The Prince of Wales' 70th Birthday Concert

October 25: The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall attended a gala concert in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace to mark The Prince's 70th birthday and to recognize his commitment to, and patronage of, the arts.

Clarence House

Mega diamond alert! I had hoped to see the Greville Festoon Necklace at the Dutch State Banquet - because let's face it, you knew Queen Máxima was going to go big or go home, and this necklace would have fit right in - but The Duchess had other plans for it.

She wore all five glorious diamond strands to Prince Charles' birthday gala concert, with a fabulously flattering velvet dress. This is just the third time we've seen the necklace used by Camilla. It's fascinating to me that she has, thus far, only used all five strands (it's a smaller three strand necklace and a longer two strand necklace). I'm still hoping she'll start using the three strand option with the Greville Tiara.

She paired it with the earrings from her Pear Drop Diamond Demi-Parure for one serious sparkling appearance.

24 October 2018

State Visit from The Netherlands, Farewell, and Audience at Buckingham Palace

The Queen bid farewell to The King and Queen of The Netherlands at the end of their State Visit to the United Kingdom.

Do you think Her Maj and Her Maj had a nice chat about the importance of dressing to be seen in a crowd? That is one screaming hot pink Oscar de la Renta dress on Máxima!

Royal Family Channel screencap

On the other hand, this is a very smart soft blue suit for QEII. (I think it's new? If it isn't, then I'm sure I've said this very thing in the past.) The black accents tie in those beloved black accessories so well. And the whole lot is a nice background for the Women of Hampshire Brooch.

Women of Hampshire Brooch

Gold Watch

Engagement and Wedding Rings

The Queen held a private audience at Buckingham Palace today.
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The brooch was also worn on the dress underneath the suit jacket.

23 October 2018

State Visit from The Netherlands, State Banquet

The Queen and members of the Royal Family hosted a state banquet at Buckingham Palace for The King and Queen of The Netherlands during their State Visit to the United Kingdom.

We've done a deep dive on the Dutch state banquet at the other blog already; here, as we do, we'll take a specific look at the things that emerged from The Queen's jewel vault. Her Maj returned to her favorite tiara, the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara, for the second time this year; Queen Mary's Cluster Earrings also made their second appearance of the year.

Screencap

Another second 2018 showing? The massive Cullinan III and IV Brooch. That's a brooch chosen to honor the Dutch connection; the Cullinan Diamond was cut by Asscher in Amsterdam.

Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara
Queen Mary's Cluster Earrings
George VI Festoon Necklace
Cullinan III and IV Brooch
White and Gray Pearl Bracelet (Not yet covered here)
Evening Watch
Order of The Netherlands Lion (Riband and Star)
Royal Family Orders of King George V and King George VI

Screencap

It's difficult to be out-blinged when one is wearing 158 carats of "Granny's Chips", but one should never underestimate the carat capacity of Queen Máxima. She wore the Stuart Tiara in all its glory.

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The Duchess of Cornwall still favors the same white dress strategy as her mother-in-law; we've seen this one a few times in the past. She did manage to break up her diamonds and pearls with my favorite pink topaz.

Greville Tiara
Everyday Pearl Pendant Earrings
Five Strand Pearl Choker with Pink Topaz Clasp
Brooch, at her shoulder
Diamond Bracelet
Royal Victorian Order (Riband and Star)
Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II

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The most exciting jewel news - on the British side of things - came from The Duchess of Cambridge. This is the first we've seen Queen Alexandra's Wedding Necklace since Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother wore it (it was one of her favorites). We also now know that The Duchess of Cambridge has been given Her Maj's royal family order. The gift, which is private and only known when the recipient wears the brooch, was first worn for the 2017 Diplomatic Reception (we just didn't get to see it in the car shots). Because these orders have been made with ivory in the past, it was also clarified that Kate's has been made using glass. (The Duke of Cambridge, as you may know, is very publicly against ivory.)

Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara (Queen Mary's)
Collingwood Pearl and Diamond Earrings (from the collection of Diana, Princess of Wales)
Queen Alexandra's Wedding Necklace
Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II
Diamond Bracelet

Screencap

The Countess of Wessex wore the Five Aquamarine Tiara on loan from The Queen. Her earrings are very large and very sparkly (with a shape similar to The Queen's Emerald or Diamond Pendants), but I don't know if they are also loans at this time.

Again, you can see more from this banquet at Order of Splendor.

State Visit from The Netherlands, Welcome Ceremony

The Queen, with The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, welcomed King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of The Netherlands at the beginning of their State Visit to the United Kingdom.

Let the state visit show begin! The Queen started us off with a repeated outfit and brooch selection in my favorite shade.

Amethyst Bouquet Brooch

Three Strand Pearl Necklace

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The Duchess of Cornwall also selected a repeated outfit - one of the smartest in her rotation right now, and one I'm always happy to see. She paired it with her tried and true pearl favorites.

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

Royal Family

Queen Máxima reliably brought a new outfit for the trip, a soft pink in interesting fabric by Claes Iversen. Looks sparkly. And she definitely sparkled with her suite of pink jewels. These gems are usually reported as kunzite and diamonds; the brooch, which can be worn as independent pieces, is almost an homage to the mega Cullinan III and IV Brooch. The Cullinan, of course, was cut in Amsterdam, and The Queen wore her "chips" for a visit to the jeweler in 1958.

Updates:

Royal Family

The Queen's brooch was transferred to her dress when the party moved inside for lunch and a look through the Royal Collection's special exhibit of Dutch-related items. Gifts will also have been exchanged; The Queen appointed The King a supernumerary Knight of the Garter, so we'll see him wear that at the state banquet.

Royal Family

Other members of the Royal Family present included The Countess of Wessex and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

Clarence House

Later in the day, The King and Queen joined The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall for tea at Clarence House. Camilla wore her Cosmos Clip Brooches.

Coming up tonight: The state banquet! According to reports, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be present and Princess Mabel of Orange-Nassau has been invited.

20 October 2018

British Champions Day at Royal Ascot

The Queen visited Ascot Racecourse for the QIPCO British Champions Day.

It's Her Maj's annual autumn Ascot appearance, with the Pearl Triangle and one of my favorite newer outfits. Love this shade of blue with an orange accent.

Pearl Triangle Brooch

19 October 2018

Visit to Bracknell

The Queen visited Bracknell to reopen The Lexicon shopping center.

Diamond Art Deco Double Clip Brooch

Although I love this clip brooch, the hat flowers here would be so great paired with the Small Pink sapphire. (Not matchy enough for Her Maj, of course.) We've also seen this minty fresh outfit with The Queen Mother's Shell Brooch.

Royal Family

Perhaps she picked up some new color ideas while having a look around the shopping center, hmm?