Jewels of Trooping the Colour

The Queen selected a brooch that is often worn for this occasion: the Guards’ Badge, which combines the badges of each of the five regiments of the Foot Guards (Irish Guards, Welsh Guards, Scots Guards, Grenadier Guards, and Coldstream Guards) into one large jewel-encrusted brooch, which was probably the same piece previously worn by Queen Mary. Each year, a different regiment troops the colour at Horse Guards Parade; this year, it was the turn of the Grenadier Guards, whose badge is in the top-most position inside the oval of the Queen’s brooch.

No big jewel surprises from the Duchess of Cornwall at Trooping either. She wore pearl earrings with one of her multi-stranded pearl choker necklaces. This one is the five-stranded choker with a diamond and pink topaz clasp, reportedly purchased for Camilla by Prince Charles at an auction.

The Duchess of Cambridge, however, did use the occasion to debut a new piece: a silver-toned brooch that appears to include five large pearls. Nothing is known about the provenance of this one, though I’ve heard suggestions already that it might be one of the gifts she has received during a royal tour. Here’s a closer look:

A pearl brooch from the South Seas tour, for example, would certainly seem plausible. We’ve also not seen the list yet of the gifts she may have received from the recent tour of New Zealand and Australia. Along with the brooch, Kate’s also wearing her pearl drop earrings by Annoushka.

I love that Princess Anne rides in the Trooping the Colour parade every year alongside some of the male members of the royal family. Because she’s in the uniform of the Blues and Royals, a regiment of which she is an honorary colonel, her bling here is of the military variety. Among her medals are those commemorating her mother’s coronation and Silver, Golden, and Diamond Jubilees. She’s also wearing the sash and star of the Order of the Garter. And that HAT!

Not much accessorizing today by the Countess of Wessex — just her wristwatch and a pair of small drop earrings, identified by Anna as pavé-set diamond earrings by Amrapali, a Knightsbridge jeweler. The belt does have a bit of sparkle, as well.

Hardly any jewels for Princess Eugenie, either — hope that apparent association with Faberge reaps some sparkling rewards for us soon! I do see two rings on her right hand.

One of my favorites, Princess Alexandra, rode in today’s carriage procession, wearing pearls, earrings, and a brooch that I wish we had a clearer look at. (Also, looks like the Duke of Kent, who usually rides in the procession, has given that up in the wake of his stroke last year. Glad to see he’s still attending!)

Princess Michael wore a cape (more royals should wear capes on the regular, yes?) and a few delicate bracelets, and a pair of large earrings.

Lady Gabriella followed her mother’s lead and went rather big in the earring department, too.

Lady Sarah Chatto, elegant as always, wore a necklace of four strands of pearls held together by a diamond and pearl clasp. You’ll probably not be surprised that this necklace is from the collection of Sarah’s late mother, Princess Margaret.

Lady Helen chose a bracelet and watch for the day, but her daughter, Estella, wore a necklace.

And there were lots of other Windsors in attendance, too. From left to right, we’ve got the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Earl and Countess of Ulster, Zenouska Mowatt, Lady Marina Windsor, the Earl of St. Andrews, Prince Michael of Kent, Princess Michael of Kent, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Prince of Wales, Princess Eugenie, Princess Anne (with Tim Laurence out of view), Queen Elizabeth II, the Countess of Wessex, the Earl of Wessex (with the Duke of York obscured), Prince Philip, Prince Harry, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke of Cambridge, Lady Frederick Windsor, Estella Taylor, Timothy Taylor, Lady Helen Taylor, Eloise Taylor, Lady Gabriella Windsor, the Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra, and the Countess of St. Andrews. WHEW.