New Canadian Portrait

Canada has released a new portrait of The Queen.

Chris Jackson/Getty Images via Government of Canada

 

Canada brought us a sort of a surprise tiara appearance for the week, and I'll take whatever form of tiara appearance I can get right now. This new portrait was taken in March 2019 at Windsor Castle. The Queen is in her full sapphire glory, with the necklace and earrings given to her as a wedding gift by her father, the tiara and bracelet she later added to the collection, an evening watch, and her usual rings. She is also wearing her Order of Canada and Order of Military Merit insignia.

George VI and Modern Sapphire Set

Engagement and Wedding Rings

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Visit

October 15: The Queen, with The Duke of Cambridge, visited the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) at Porton Down and formally opened the new Energetics Analysis Centre.

Ministry of Defence

I thought it would be a good while longer before we saw The Queen venture out of her bubble, but here she is, at her first external engagement in around seven months. And the media focus seems to have been primarily on the decision not to wear masks for the visit. (Here's an article breaking it down but tl;dr, everybody had negative Covid tests, it was socially distanced, doctors were consulted.)

Embed from Getty Images

Anyway, it's the Grima Ruby and a "Stewart Parvin old rose cashmere coat and silk dress of autumnal woodland florals with a matching hat by Rachel Trevor Morgan" for the big reappearance.

Grima Ruby Brooch

Queen Mary's Button Earrings

Three Strand Pearl Necklace

World Sight Day Call

To mark World Sight Day 2020, The Queen joined The Countess of Wessex for a video call earlier this week with eye health professionals working on the ground to deliver eye care across the Commonwealth.

Royal Family

She's back! This is the first time we've seen The Queen since she departed Windsor Castle for Balmoral and then Sandringham. She returned to Windsor this week and welcomed us back as well with some great sapphire brooch action.

Prince Albert's Sapphire Brooch

Three Strand Pearl Necklace