28 September 2012

Australian Diamond Jubilee Portrait

A Diamond Jubilee portrait of the Queen was unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, Australia. The portrait by Australian artist Ralph Heimans is entitled "The Coronation Theatre, Westminster Abbey: A Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II".
This is breathtaking. The choice to paint her in her robe but without a crown on the spot she was crowned is genius: it allows her to have this humble and pensive look, as though she's looking back on the 60 years since and forward to the next all at once. What an impressive work, made all the more impressive when you learn that the artist had just one hour with the Queen total, and that one hour was in daylight at Buckingham Palace. A truly stunning and powerful portrait.

(And, since we are a jewel blog, I must note that he's managed to bring a tremendous amount of light to the diamonds, which is no easy feat.)

I like the above video as it gives you a sense of the scale of the work; click here for an article with more information on the painting and click here to see it close up at the artist's site.

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The Coronation Necklace and Earrings

The Coronation Necklace and Earrings are an important set in the Queen's collection not just because of overall diamond weight but because of historical significance.
The Coronation Necklace
The necklace was created for Queen Victoria in 1858 and has been worn by queens for every coronation after Queen Victoria's death, hence the name. It currently has 26 stones: 25 in the necklace itself, plus the 22.48 carat Lahore Diamond as a pendant.
The Coronation Earrings
The matching earrings were also made Queen Victoria in 1858 from reused stones - the pear drops were originally side stones in an armlet with the famous Koh-i-Noor diamond and were also used in a setting for the Timur Ruby Necklace. The two drops are slightly different sizes; one is about 12 carats, the other about 7.

The Queen usually wears the set together for formal events like the State Opening of Parliament and state dinners, or for portraits.

 Read more at Order of Splendor.

Appearances:
14 October 2019: State Opening of Parliament (Necklace only)
13 June 2016: Garter Day (Earrings only)
8 December 2015: Diplomatic Reception
27 May 2015: State Opening of Parliament 
26 March 2015: Canterbury Cathedral Statue (Earrings only) 
21 October 2014: State Visit from Singapore
6 June 2014: State Visit to France
27 November 2012: State Visit from Kuwait
28 September 2012: Australian Diamond Jubilee Portrait
2011: State Visit from Turkey (Necklace only) 
1998: State Visit from Japan  
1978: State Visit to Germany
1967: Visit to Malta (Necklace only)
1961: Commonwealth Visit to India and Pakistan 
1954: Visit to Australia, Parliament Opening
1954: Visit to New Zealand, Parliament Opening
1953: The Coronation 
Various Years: State Opening of Parliament  
Various Years: The Garter Service
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27 September 2012

Ballater Jubilee Cairn

The Queen unveiled a plaque at a cairn constructed to commemorate her Diamond Jubilee in Ballater, Aberdeenshire.
It's an educational day indeed: we got another look at the mystery thistle brooch which appeared earlier in the summer in Scotland, and I learned what a cairn is. The more you know...

Three Thistle Brooch
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24 September 2012

University of Aberdeen Visit

The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, opened the University of Aberdeen's new library. Her Majesty also reopened the Aberdeen City Council building at Marischal College.
Aaaaand she's back! The Balmoral break is ending. Our Lilibet is getting her feet wet with a couple Scottish engagements before heading back south, and she's brought out one of her most trusty brooches for the occasion. (Click here for a video.)


Photo:STV screencap
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23 September 2012

Updates from the Past

As time allows, I add events and jewels worn in the past by the Queen. I'm currently working my way back through the 2012 events which occurred before the blog started. These posts are dated back to when they actually occurred, so they don't appear on the front page of the blog. In case you missed them, here are the latest past event and jewel updates:









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19 September 2012

Updates from the Past

As time allows, I add events and jewels worn in the past by the Queen. I'm currently working my way back through the 2012 events which occurred before the blog started. These posts are dated back to when they actually occurred, so they don't appear on the front page of the blog. In case you missed them, here are the latest past event and jewel updates:











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12 September 2012

Updates from the Past

As time allows, I add events and jewels worn in the past by the Queen. I'm currently working my way back through the 2012 events which occurred before the blog started. These posts are dated back to when they actually occurred, so they don't appear on the front page of the blog. In case you missed them, here are the latest past event and jewel updates:







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02 September 2012

Church at Balmoral

The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, attended services at Crathie Church during her annual Balmoral break.
Another mystery church brooch. Such is the life when HM buries herself at Balmoral, sigh.

Unidentifiable Brooch

Photo: PA
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01 September 2012

The Braemar Gathering

The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family, attended the annual Braemar Gathering in Scotland.
Phil's back in action, just in time for the giggliest royal event of the year! Bless.

Photos:Getty Images
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The Braemar Feather Brooch

The Braemar Feather Brooch
For her Golden Jubilee in 2002, the Queen was presented with this brooch from the Braemar Royal Highland Society. Made from platinum, white gold, and 24 carat gold on silver in the shape of an eagle's feather, it features a Jubilee stamp on the back.
Since then, the brooch usually gets one outing a year: for the annual Braemar Gathering in Scotland, which is always one of Her Majesty's most animated appearances.

Appearances:
7 September 2019: The Braemar Gathering
1 September 2018: The Braemar Gathering
2 September 2017: The Braemar Gathering
3 September 2016: The Braemar Gathering
9 September 2015: The Braemar Gathering
6 September 2014: The Braemar Gathering
7 September 2013: The Braemar Gathering
1 September 2012: The Braemar Gathering
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