The Queen hosted the annual Diplomatic Reception for ambassadors at Buckingham Palace. The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke of Cambridge, and The Duchess of Cambridge were also present.
Okay, let's address the best thing first: THIS PHOTO. This is RARE, folks. Pictures from the Diplomatic Reception are often not published at all; a proper group shot like this is a first. I'd like to send a fruit basket to the person that convinced them to do it, but instead I shall just express my enthusiasm in ALL CAPS. WOW.
To the gems!
The Queen: Her Maj is LOVING her sapphires of late. She's worn this suite to both the Colombian state banquet this year and the Chinese state banquet last year.
Modern Sapphire Bracelet
Evening Watch
Evening Watch
The Duchess of Cornwall: It's business as usual for Camilla. This is exactly what she wore to the Colombian state banquet and almost completely what she wore to the State Opening of Parliament before that, dress and all. So, all her tiara appearances this year are essentially the same.
Greville Tiara
Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II
Star, Riband, and Badge of the Royal Victorian Order
Greville Tiara
Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II
Star, Riband, and Badge of the Royal Victorian Order
The Duchess of Cambridge: Kate is sporting the Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara for the second time. She's also wearing the Diamond Pendant Earrings, her most recent vault loan (these go better with a tiara than her usual longer diamond earrings, I think), and is repeating the red Jenny Packham gown she wore to the Chinese state banquet.
Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara
Diamond Pendant Earrings
Wedding Gift Bracelet
Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara
Diamond Pendant Earrings
Wedding Gift Bracelet
The Gentlemen: This is one of the most formal events of the year, so the royal men wear knee breeches with the actual Garter from the Order of the Garter just below the knee. It's rare that we get to see this; this event is one of the last consistent examples of the Garter in use, but again, we don't always get to see inside.
