The Queen and other members of the Royal Family welcomed the President of The People’s Republic of China, Mr. Xi Jinping, and Madame Peng Liyuan at the start of his State Visit to the United Kingdom.
Obviously, I find this lilac gray Stewart Parvin tweed coat and Rachel Trevor-Morgan hat would have been enhanced by a touch of amethysts, but that's how I always feel, so never mind me. Instead, we get the Modern Ruby Brooch to kick off this much-anticipated (and controversial) state visit.
Three Strand Pearl Necklace
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall met the Chinese first couple at their hotel and escorted them to the welcome ceremony today.
It was nice to see The Duchess in a suite of jewels we've covered here before, including regular favorites in the form of her
Everyday Pearl Pendant Earrings, her
Gold Chain Bracelet with Multi-Color Stones, and her
Four Strand Pearl Choker with Small Diamond Clasp. She also wore her pair of
Cosmos Brooches from Van Cleef & Arpels.
UPDATES:
Back at Buckingham Palace, the traditional exchange of gifts occurred. The Queen gave the Chinese president a collection of Shakespeare's sonnets in a specially commissioned leather and gilt box and a pair of Royal Crown Derby candlesticks for Madame Peng, in addition to the standard gift of a silver-framed set of portraits of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. From President Xi, The Queen received two of Madame Peng's albums (she's a famous folk singer in China) along with a 1.18 meter long work of embroidery, a stamp booklet, and a wood carving.
The President and Madame Peng joined The Prince of Wales and The
Duchess of Cornwall for tea at Clarence House, where Camilla changed
into her pearl choker with an Art Deco sapphire clasp, the newest
addition to her choker collection.
The Duke of Cambridge also met with the President today, at Buckingham Palace.
And The Queen inspected the scene for the state banquet, as she always does! Updated to add: In
this Flickr behind-the-scenes gallery, we can identify The Queen's brooch as the
Flower Basket Brooch.
Stay tuned for another post later for tonight's state banquet.
