30 July 2013

The Ruby Floret Earrings

The Ruby Floret Earrings
The Ruby Floret Earrings include a central cluster of rubies arranged in a flower design with an outer ring of brilliant and baguette diamonds. According to Leslie Field's The Queen's Jewels, they were made from stones from the Queen's private collection; Field groups them with the Burmese Ruby Tiara, also a commission from existing stones including the diamonds from the Nizam of Hyderabad Tiara and a collection of rubies given to the Queen as a wedding present by the people of Burma, made in 1973.
Indeed, these were matched on several occasions with the Burmese Ruby Tiara. But they are not as popular or as well-known as Queen Mary's Ruby Cluster Earrings, which are a similar size, and were primarily used by The Queen in the 1970s and 1980s.
And now, apparently, The Queen has passed them on to be used by another. In 2015, the Ruby Floret Earrings appeared on The Countess of Wessex for the first time in public. They were spotted by Anna from the Countess of Wessex Blog, where you can read more about the appearance and see more photos.

 Appearances:
9 May 2015: 70th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Channel Islands (on The Countess of Wessex)
1982: State Visit from the Netherlands

 Photos: Garrard/Leslie Field/Corbis/ITV News screenshot
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26 July 2013

News Update: The Buckingham Palace Summer Exhibit Opens

A news update of general interest for fans of sparkle...
 
Video: Exhibit highlights
The summer exhibit for Buckingham Palace's annual public opening is just as you'd expect this year: it celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Queen's coronation. On display among other objects are outfits worn to the ceremony, including the Queen's incredible coronation gown. Also up for peeks are some of the jewels worn on that day, such as the George IV State Diadem, also known as the Diamond Diadem, and the Halo Scroll Tiara, which was worn by Princess Margaret on that historic day (long before it ever made royal wedding history!). Sounds like a must-see for any jewel enthusiasts in the London area - do report back if you get a chance to view it!

In other news...the Queen has arrived at Balmoral for her summer holiday, with corgis but without Prince Philip, who will join her later. I have a few things planned to keep us interested while Her Maj hides away, so stay tuned!

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24 July 2013

Visit to Kensington Palace

The Queen visited the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at their home at Kensington Palace, where she met her newest great-grandchild, Prince George of Cambridge, for the first time.

Video: The Queen's car travels to Kensington Palace
Did you see her? Ha. The Daily Mail has a better look, and thanks to Jelena in the comments for another. Anyway, very sweet - the only thing missing is the Duke of Edinburgh!

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23 July 2013

Queen's Award for Enterprise Reception

The Queen, joined by other members of the royal family, gave a reception for the Queen's Award for Enterprise at Buckingham Palace.
Click above for a video from ITNSource.
I admit I was hoping for sapphires to celebrate the baby boy, but actually this is even better - we don't see those Cambridge emeralds nearly enough! (Also: can we talk about Beatrice's hair clip? See the above video and get back to me.)


Photo: ITNSource screencap
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22 July 2013

Arrival at Buckingham Palace

The Queen arrived at Buckingham Palace after spending the weekend at Windsor Castle.
The Queen returned from Windsor Castle to Buckingham Palace in casual mode amidst the baby waiting fury. It's worth noting that she typically returns from her weekends at Windsor on Mondays, not just because of today's events - in this climate, everything's getting a little over interpreted!

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19 July 2013

Investiture at Windsor Castle

The Queen held an Investiture at Windsor Castle.

As per investiture norm, haven't seen anything to guess a brooch!

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18 July 2013

Ashes Test at Lord's Cricket Ground

The Queen visited Lord's Cricket Ground, met the England and Australia teams, and watched the second Ashes Test.
Click above for video from the BBC.
The Flame Lily again! Well, if you're going to do a back-to-back repeat, might as well be this lovely chunk of diamonds.


Photo: BBC screencap
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17 July 2013

Visit to Cumbria

The Queen, accompanied by the Princess Royal, visited Cumbria.
Click above for video from ITV News.
The Queen says she'd like the Cambridge baby to be born before she goes on holiday. So do we all, Your Maj. So.do.we.all. (Perhaps the Princess Royal was also in a baby mood today. Her hat, which can be seen in this report from the Daily Mail, is a repeat from Zara's christening. You know, in 1981. I'm a little disappointed she didn't reuse the entire outfit, frankly.)


Photos:ITV screencap
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15 July 2013

Community Service Volunteers Reception

The Queen attended a reception at St. James' Palace to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of Community Service Volunteers.
Click above for video from ITNSource.
A classic QEII appearance. For a little more fun, the Queen made something of a surprise visit on Sunday while driving around Windsor Castle - wearing the Amethyst Bouquet Brooch.


Photo: ITNSource
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11 July 2013

Coronation Festival

The Queen and members of the Royal Family toured a preview of the Coronation Festival, organized by the Royal Warrant Holders Association, in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.
Click above to see video from ITN.
Adorable, both in event (she posed with a bear, for heaven's sake, not to mention looked utterly delighted to receive a figure of Zara on her horse) and in brooch (the Nizam Rose, which seems to be in favor this year).

Accompanied by members of the Royal Family, the Queen attended a gala evening at the Coronation Festival in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.
And in the evening, a touch dressier, amping up the diamond volume with the massive Adelaide brooch (good one for such events, it seems - if you recall, she also wore this for her famous Bond girl appearance at the Olympics opening ceremony). Click here for a look at other guests, including a rather spectacularly plumed Countess of Wessex.


Photos:ITN screencap/PA
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10 July 2013

Visit from King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima

The Queen received King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands at Windsor Castle. The new Dutch sovereign couple are making introductory visits to fellow European monarchs.
Click above for video from RTL.
This was an informal visit, just a chat, maybe later watch a DVD on the ol' flat screen...


Photo: RTL screencap
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09 July 2013

Gloriana River Cruise

The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of York and the Earl and Countess of Wessex, took a trip on the Thames in Gloriana, the royal barge.
Click above for more from the Huffington Post UK.
This is Casual QEII: just single pearl stud earrings, a mere double strand of pearls, her casual watch, and no brooch at all. Just a lazy Tuesday afternoon rolling down the Thames in one's own royal barge with the fam, I'm sure we've all done the same...


Photo: PA
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05 July 2013

Holyrood Week, Day 5: Robin Chapel and Thistle Foundation

The Queen, accompanied by the Earl of Wessex, attended a service at the Robin Chapel and visited the Thistle Foundation, Edinburgh.
Click above for video from Yahoo! UK.
One more classic brooch before Holyrood Week wraps up!


Photos:Yahoo screencap/PA
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04 July 2013

Holyrood Week, Day 4: Dreghorn Barracks

The Queen, Colonel-in-Chief, visited Dreghorn Barracks and presented a Pipe Banner to the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Click above for a video from ITNSource.
Another regimental badge - and I suspect this is the one that was seen on her arrival in Scotland.


Photo: ITN Source
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Royal Regiment of Scotland Badge

The Royal Regiment of Scotland Badge, form and brooch
The Queen is Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, and of course she has a brooch form of their badge to wear on all appropriate occasions.
This one has plenty of Scottish symbolism: the lion is the Lion Rampant of the Royal Standard of Scotland, the X behind it is the Saltire of St. Andrew, and the banner below bears the regiment's motto, Nemo me impune lacessit ("No one provokes me with impunity" - also the motto of the Order of the Thistle). The badge is topped by a crown.

Appearances:
28 June 2021: Holyrood Week: Ceremony of the Keys
15 September 2019: Church at Balmoral
6 August 2019: Guard Inspection at Balmoral
6 August 2018: Guard Inspection at Balmoral
5 July 2017: Stirling Castle Visit
3 July 2017: Holyrood Week: Ceremony of the Keys
8 August 2016: Guard Inspection at Balmoral
1 July 2016: Holyrood Week: Ceremony of the Keys
10 August 2015: Guard Inspection at Balmoral
30 June 2015: Holyrood Week, Day 1: Arrival
7 August 2014: Guard Inspection at Balmoral
30 June 2014: Holyrood Week, Day 1: Arrival
8 August 2013: Guard Inspection at Balmoral
4 July 2013: Holyrood Week, Day 4: Dreghorn Barracks

Photos: Wikipedia/PA/Reuters
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03 July 2013

Holyrood Week, Day 3: Visit to the Scottish Borders

The Queen visited the Scottish Borders, including the John Buchan Museum and Abbotsford House, the former home of author Sir Walter Scott, which she formally reopened.
Click above for reports and video from ITV News.
Now, this would have been a grand outfit to pair with yesterday's Purple Thistle Brooch, no?


Photo: ITV screencap
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02 July 2013

The Purple Thistle Brooch

The Purple Thistle Brooch
This multiple stone brooch includes a central thistle flower, Scotland's emblem. The brooch appears to be mainly metal and diamonds, with a carved purple stone at the top and green stones incorporated in its base (amethyst and emerald seem likely).
This brooch does not get many outings, but it has been in the Queen's collection for a while; she notably wore it while in Scotland during her Golden Jubilee. Naturally, the thistle motif lends itself well to Scottish engagements.

Appearances:
2 July 2013: Holyrood Week, Day 2: Garden Party

 Photos: PA/BBC
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Holyrood Week, Day 2: Audiences and Garden Party

The Queen received the Scottish First Minister and the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament for audiences at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. She also held an investiture. Accompanied by the Earl of Wessex, she hosted a Garden Party at the Palace.

I can't quite make out what brooch she was wearing during her audiences, but we got a lovely surprise at the garden party in the form of a little-seen thistle brooch (click the brooch link below)!


Photo: PA
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01 July 2013

Holyrood Week, Day 1: Arrival and Dance Performance

The Queen arrived at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, at the start of her annual week of Scottish engagements. Her Majesty was presented with the Keys of the City which she returned in the traditional Ceremony of the Keys. The Guard of Honor from A Company, The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland mounted in the Forecourt of the Palace was reviewed. The Queen, Patron, later watched a performance from The Royal Country Dance Society at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
I believe the Queen was wearing a regimental badge - I suspect the Royal Regiment of Scotland Badge - for her arrival, though that glorious bouquet certainly stole the show. Later, she switched to her classic Victoria Bow to watch some dancing.


Photo:PA
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