2018: The Year in The Queen's Jewels

For the seventh (!) year in a row, it’s time to finish out The Queen’s year in jewels with a look back at 2018’s favorite brooches, tiara appearances, loans, and more. (Previously: 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012.)

The Most Popular Brooches 

The Queen wore around 50 identifiable brooches in 2018, which is a decrease from last year’s 65. (As always, these tallies are inevitably underestimated because they include only those events which are a) cataloged here and b) featured an identifiable brooch.) The brooches we did see were pretty evenly distributed in terms of number of sightings, meaning that a bunch of ties top the list for the most appearances in 2018.

1. The Cullinan V Brooch tied with The Jardine Star Brooch tied with The Diamond and Pearl Navette Brooch 

2. Kent Amethyst Brooch tied with The Pearl Trefoil Brooch tied with The Pearl Triangle Brooch tied with The Queen Mother’s Palm Leaf Brooch tied with The Small Pink and Diamond Brooch tied with The Triple Diamond Bar Brooch 

New to the favorites ranking this year are the Diamond and Pearl Navette Brooch and the Triple Diamond Bar Brooch. Meanwhile, some of the usual favorites are nowhere to be found: the Frosted Sunflower Brooch is absent for another year after zero 2018 appearances, and the Aquamarine Clip Brooches were spotted just once this year.

The Brooch Debuts and Rare Brooches 

Sgt Johanie Maheu, Rideau Hall

In 2018, we saw the first public appearance of one known gift, the Sapphire Jubilee Snowflake Brooch, and the return (and first appearance beyond its original outing at the time of the gift) of the American State Visit Brooch. We were also treated to the reappearance of the Multi-Color Pendant Brooch.

The Most Significant Brooch of the Year 

BBC

2018 brought us two appearances of the Cullinan III and IV Brooch. (I honestly thought we’d seen the last of it in use, so this was a serious treat!) Both appearances held special significance: once for The Coronation documentary and once for the Dutch State Banquet, honoring Dutch ties because the Cullinan was cut in Amsterdam.

The Tiara Appearances

Royal Family

The Girls of Great Britain & Ireland Tiara returned in 2018 after a couple years’ break, and it quickly made up for lost time. The Queen wore it for all three of her 2018 tiara appearances: the CHOGM Dinner, the Dutch State Banquet, and the Diplomatic Reception.

The Loans of the Year 

BBC/ITV

Of course, the two biggest tiara surprises of the year came in the form of loans, as The Queen used a double royal wedding year to confirm the existence of two mysterious tiaras: Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau Tiara and the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara, worn by The Duchess of Sussex and Princess Eugenie, respectively, on their wedding days.
 
Loans of other pieces of jewelry continued apace as well, including Queen Alexandra’s Wedding Necklace for The Duchess of Cambridge at the Dutch State Banquet. One of the most exciting loans was one we didn’t even get to properly see: Princess Eugenie wore one of Queen Victoria’s Wheat-Ear Brooches in her hair for her wedding reception.

And that's a wrap on 2018! Here's to more sparkling surprises in 2019...

What was your favorite sparkly moment in The Queen's year?

Church at Sandringham

The Queen and members of The Royal Family attended church at Sandringham, Norfolk.

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No brooch! Again! Here's hoping this trend doesn't carry over into 2019.

Queen Mary's Button Earrings

Three Strand Pearl Necklace

This brooch-free appearance should wrap up Her Maj's year in brooches, though, so stay tuned for our annual wrap up post!

Christmas Service and Christmas Broadcast, 2018

Merry Christmas! We'll be chatting about the other fashions from the British royal family's Christmas church gathering at the other blog tomorrow. But first, The Queen:

The Queen, accompanied by members of the Royal Family, attended Christmas service at St. Mary Magdalene Church, Sandringham.

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Interesting outfit choice from Her Maj today, perhaps overdoing it with the festive trimmings - that's a loud pink trim on the coat and some Camilla-level feather overload on the hat. She accented the bright pink with her pink sapphire.

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Small Pink and Diamond Brooch

Queen Mary's Button Earrings

Three Strand Pearl Necklace


The Queen's annual message was broadcast on Christmas Day.

Royal Family screencap

The Grima Ruby got the nod for this year's Christmas broadcast. A somewhat puzzling choice to me, given the dress seems to have some blue in it, but certainly a family-themed one (as a gift from Philip). That fits right in line with all the family events of the year, which were represented in the photographs on display and in the content of the speech (which you can view here).

Royal Family screencap

Grima Ruby Brooch

Queen Mary's Button Earrings

Three Strand Pearl Necklace

Gold Watch

Engagement and Wedding Rings

Church at Sandringham

The Queen and members of The Royal Family attended church at Sandringham, Norfolk.

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From what I can see (there are more pics here, at The Sun), it looks like Her Maj is going brooch-less again. I hope she's saving up a good one for Christmas service...

Queen Mary's Button Earrings

Three Strand Pearl Necklace (most likely, but under the coat collar)

Train to Sandringham

The Queen traveled to Sandringham for the Christmas holiday.

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Another year, another brooch-less ride to Sandringham. Let the Christmas festivities officially begin...

Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn Visit

The Queen visited the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn to officially open the new Ashworth Centre and re-open the recently renovated Great Hall. She was accompanied by The Duke of York, Royal Bencher of the Inn.

Royal Family

The rubies in this brooch look extra pink on this most vibrant of pink outfits, and the gold picks up the buttons nicely. Well matched, this combo.

Royal Family

Gold Lace Work Brooch

Queen Mary's Button Earrings

Three Strand Pearl Necklace

Christmas Staff Luncheon

The Queen hosted a pre-Christmas lunch for close staff at the Goring Hotel, London.

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I think some pearls would have been splendid on this light blue suit, but the Palm Leaf - in just its third appearance for the year - does the job well as always.

Queen Mother's Palm Leaf Brooch

Queen Mary's Button Earrings

Three Strand Pearl Necklace

Gold Watch

Engagement and Wedding Rings

Coram Center Opening

The Queen opened the Queen Elizabeth II Centre at Coram, the United Kingdom's oldest children's charity.

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I don't really keep track of Her Maj's outfits, but even I can't help but notice this is the second appearance for this outfit in a month! And each time, it makes a wonderful canvas for an impressive diamond brooch.

Royal Family

Flame Lily Brooch

Queen Mary's Button Earrings

Three Strand Pearl Necklace

The 2018 Diplomatic Reception and Audiences at Buckingham Palace

The Queen hosted the annual Diplomatic Reception for ambassadors at Buckingham Palace. The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke of Cambridge, and The Duchess of Cambridge were also present.

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The release of photos from inside this year's reception warranted coverage on the other blog, where you can check in with all The Queen's diamonds and the pearls of The Duchesses. Click here to check it out.

The Queen held audiences at Buckingham Palace.
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Her Maj had some diplomats to welcome before the fancy reception, and this brooch is open for your guessing.

Queen Mary's Button Earrings

Three Strand Pearl Necklace

Gold Watch

Engagement and Wedding Rings