From Her Majesty's Jewel Vault: July 2018

The Queen Mother's Palm Leaf Brooch

13 July 2018

Meeting at Windsor Castle

The Queen met the current US president at Windsor Castle.

Royal Family Channel screencap

This is the outfit The Queen wore to last year's "dressed down" State Opening of Parliament. At the time, the hat was accessorized with yellow-centered blue flowers, making it look distinctly reminiscent of the European flag. I guess that feedback made it back to the palace, because the hat has since been redone, a bow replacing the flowers. Her Maj chose her mother's paisley brooch for today's event, echoing the swirling pattern of this blue fabric. And that's all we have to say about today.

12 July 2018

Audience at Windsor Castle

The Queen received the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar for an audience at Windsor Castle.

American State Visit Brooch

I thought this brooch would be a one-and-done thing, never to be seen after its original "courtesy" appearance - only because it's not really Her Maj's style - so this was a big surprise! This is what I've blandly called the American State Visit Brooch, a gift from President and Mrs. Obama on their state visit in 2011. The petals are moss agate, a unique material in her brooch collection. You can read more about it in our flashback to that state visit here.

Engagement and Wedding Rings

So you'll note I'm pretty specifically NOT making a comment on why she may have chosen to wear this brooch today. That's because I like to keep politics away from here. Call it a measure of personal sanity. Thanks in advance for playing along.

11 July 2018

Audience at Buckingham Palace

July 10: The Queen received the Governor General of New Zealand, Dame Patsy Reddy, with her husband David Gascoigne for a private audience at Buckingham Palace.

Missed this yesterday, amidst all the RAF happenings: another appearance for the Pearl Triangle, a perennial audience favorite.

Pearl Triangle Brooch

10 July 2018

RAF Centenary

The Queen, accompanied by Members of The Royal Family, attended events to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force, including a service at Westminster Abbey, a Presentation of the Colours at the Buckingham Palace forecourt, and a fly past watched from the balcony.

Westminster Abbey

Can't really go wrong with blue for an RAF event, can you? While some of the other ladies of the family wore badges related to specific RAF groups with which they are associated, I suppose there are simply too many of those in The Queen's collection to decide. She went neutral with the Jardine Star.

Royal Family

Jardine Star Brooch

Three Strand Pearl Necklace

This was a big event for the whole family, and the rest of the lot will be coming up on the other blog tomorrow!

06 July 2018

Holyrood Week: Order of the Thistle Service

The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Cambridge (The Earl of Strathearn, in Scotland), and The Princess Royal, attended a Service for the Order of the Thistle at St. Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh.

Queen Mary's Cluster Earrings
Mantle of the Order of the Thistle

Holyrood Week comes to a close with its grandest event, the Order of the Thistle Service. The Thistle Service happens every other year and features a grand green velvet mantle (robe) and feathered hat with the Collar and St. Andrew of the Order of the Thistle.

Embed from Getty Images

The Queen opted for the same earrings she wore to the last Thistle Service, Queen Mary's Cluster Earrings. Makes a nice duet with Queen Mary's Floret Earrings worn to this year's Garter Service, I suppose.

Collar and St. Andrew of the Order of the Thistle

And because it just wouldn't be a day around here without someone in pearls, we have The Princess Royal, sporting her own large version of her mother's favorite style.

05 July 2018

Holyrood Week: Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Visit

The Queen, Colonel-in-Chief, presented a new Standard to the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards at Leuchars Station, Fife. Her Majesty was accompanied by The Duke of Kent, Deputy Colonel-in-Chief.

Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Badge

Just like that, we're back to the badges! There can be no more appropriate selection for an event like this.

Royal Family

This outfit was worn to that fun Women's Institute engagement with The Princess Royal and The Countess of Wessex in 2015 and today's posy bearers did their part to made things equally delightful here.

Royal Family

04 July 2018

Holyrood Week: Audiences and Garden Party

The Queen received the First Minister of Scotland and the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament for audiences at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Queen Victoria's Bow Brooch

After two days of badges, Her Maj makes up for it with a two brooch day. Starting out with a classic, Queen Victoria's Bow...

Engagement and Wedding Rings

The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of York and The Earl of Wessex, attended a Garden Party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Royal Family

...and following that up with a more interesting selection, the Tudor Rose! (If you can make it out there.) This one came mysteriously on the scene in 2012 and was used regularly for a couple years. We haven't seen it since 2014.

Royal Family

I love the pink and blue flowers on this dress - though, as I often would, I'd lose at least one thing from the hat.

Tudor Rose Brooch

03 July 2018

Holyrood Week: No. 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron Reception, and Badge

The Queen, Honorary Air Commodore, hosted a reception for No. 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force. The Duke of York and Earl of Wessex were present. Also today, The Queen held an Investiture at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

For more: Zimbio gallery.

Day 2 of Holyrood Week brings us another badge in action.

No. 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron RauxAF Badge

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Badge

No. 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron RauxAF Badge
Royal Family

The Queen has been Honorary Air Commodore of this Squadron since she was Princess Elizabeth, in 1951. She has worn this badge to multiple occasions with the group. On a shield suspended from wings, it appears to incorporate the triple-towered castle present in the Squadron's badge (below). That castle is similar to the one present in the Arms of Edinburgh.

The Squadron's badge
Royal Air Force

Appearances:

3 July 2018: Holyroodhouse Reception

4 July 2015: Royal Auxiliary Air Force Visit

02 July 2018

Holyrood Week: Ceremony of the Keys

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. A Guard of Honor mounted in the Forecourt of the Palace was reviewed.

Royal Regiment of Scotland

Yellow and blue begins another packed week for Her Maj, who's looking good after cancelling an appearance at a service for the Order of St Michael and St George last week because she didn't feel well. This is the start of Holyrood Week, her annual week of engagements in Scotland where she will be based at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

To get things started, she went with her usual choice given this ceremony includes the military: the appropriate regimental badge.