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Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World

Archives for July 2019

German Jewels for Queen Mathilde

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MARTIN SCHUTT/AFP/Getty Images

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians made a two-day visit to Germany this week, complete with stops in the home of Philippe’s Saxe-Coburg-Gotha ancestors.

JENS KALAENE/AFP/Getty Images

The Belgian royal couple landed at the Erfurt-Weimar airport on Tuesday for their two-day visit to Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt.

MARTIN SCHUTT/AFP/Getty Images

Mathilde wore her classic diamond and pearl earrings for her arrival in Germany, as well as a striking brooch in the shape of a dragonfly.

MARTIN SCHUTT/AFP/Getty Images

Here’s a slightly better look at the brooch. The jewel appears to be set with blue gemstones, perhaps pale sapphires?

MARTIN SCHUTT/AFP/Getty Images

The first day of the trip included a stop at Schloss Friedenstein. The eighteenth-century palace was built by Duke Ernst I of Saxe-Gotha, one of Philippe’s ancestors. The palace was later a secondary residence for the Dukes of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

JENS KALAENE/AFP/Getty Images

Philippe’s great-great-great-grandfather was King Leopold I of Belgium, who was Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha before he accepted the offer to become Belgium’s first monarch. (Some of you may know him better as Uncle Leopold to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.) Material related to Leopold was put on display at Schloss Friedenstein for the Belgian royal visit.

JENS BUTTNER/AFP/Getty Images

On Wednesday, the royal couple headed to Wittenberg, where they made stops at the city hall and the castle church.

JENS BUTTNER/AFP/Getty Images

The (Roman Catholic) couple received a statue of one of the town’s most famous residents, Martin Luther, during their visit to the city hall.

JENS BUTTNER/AFP/Getty Images

Mathilde wore pale pink earrings with her floral dress for the second day of the visit.

Holyrood Week Jewels 2019

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Duncan McGlynn/Scottish Parliament – Pool/Getty Images

While I was away last week, the Queen was very busy up in Scotland! Today, we’ve got a look at the jewels she wore during Holyrood Week, her annual residence at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

Andrew Milligan – WPA Pool/Getty Images

On June 28, crowds gathered in Cumbernauld for the Queen’s visit to Greenfaulds High School.

Andrew Milligan – WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Queen wore one of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Bow Brooches for the visit. She kept the same brooch on for the annual Ceremony of the Keys later in the day at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

ANDREW MILLIGAN/AFP/Getty Images

On June 29, the Queen and the Prince of Wales were both on hand to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Scotland’s Parliament.

Duncan McGlynn/Scottish Parliament – Pool/Getty Images

She chose a very Scottish jewel for the occasion: the Diamond Thistle Brooch that belonged to her grandmother, Queen Mary.

JANE BARLOW/AFP/Getty Images

There was also another bejeweled guest of honor at parliament on the same day: the Crown of Scotland, which was carried in by the Duke of Hamilton. (More on its history over here!)

Jane Barlow – WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Queen attended Sunday church services on June 30 at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh. It’s the same church where her granddaughter, Zara Phillips, married Mike Tindall in the summer of 2011.

Jane Barlow – WPA Pool/Getty Images

She chose the Sapphire and Diamond Grapes Brooch that belonged to the late Queen Mum for the occasion.

Jane Barlow – WPA Pool/Getty Images

On July 3, the Queen held private audiences at the Palace of Holyroodhouse with Ken Macintosh, presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament, and with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Jane Barlow – WPA Pool/Getty Images

It’s a little hard to see on her printed dress, but the Queen wore Queen Mary’s Russian Brooch for the audiences.

Jane Barlow – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Later the same afternoon, the Queen hosted the annual garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Jane Barlow – WPA Pool/Getty Images

I got more than a few messages while I was away about the brooch she chose for the garden party — because it appears to be a new piece!

Jane Barlow – WPA Pool/Getty Images

It also appears to have Scottish connections, as the brooch features a sort of abstract version of a paisley print. The pink and black brooch is studded with diamonds, but it’s really tough to tell what material the rest of the brooch is made of. I’ve read speculations about onyx or coral, but from photographs, it could easily also be something akin to Bakelite (especially given the midcentury feel of the piece). Without being able to see it in person or touch it, it’s just too hard to tell. We’ll have to wait until the palace offers us some sort of comment about its provenance.

Jane Barlow – WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Princess Royal was also present for the garden party, wearing her Grima pearl and diamond earrings with her seed pearl necklace. She also pinned a gem-studded badge to the lapel of her coat.

Andrew Milligan – WPA Pool/Getty Images

On July 4, the Queen met Olive the Duck and her keeper, Maia Gordon, during a visit to Gorgie City Farm in Edinburgh.

Andrew Milligan – WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Queen dug a pair of floral brooches that you may recognize out of her jewelry box for this particular engagement.

Andrew Milligan – WPA Pool/Getty Images

These are the smaller Nizam of Hyderabad Rose Brooches, which were salvaged when the rest of the tiara was dismantled in the 1970s. The Queen often wears the largest of the three brooches, but it was a treat to see these out again!

Christening Jewels for Archie at Windsor Castle

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CHRIS ALLERTON/AFP/Getty Images

I’m officially married and back to work, so it’s time to get caught up on some of the jewels we saw during my break last week! (Don’t worry, I’m going on a honeymoon, but not until the end of the year!) Let’s get started with a look today at the jewels worn for the christening of little Archie Mountbatten-Windsor at Windsor Castle on Saturday.

CHRIS ALLERTON/AFP/Getty Images

For the official photo, adorable little Archie was front and center. The Duchess of Sussex’s wedding, engagement, and eternity rings rested on his little hand in the image. Meghan’s diamond engagement ring recently went through a minor renovation; Archie’s first official photos showed that it now has a slightly slimmer band that is pave-set with diamonds. She now wears that ring stacked with her Welsh gold wedding band and her new diamond eternity ring, which was likely a gift from Harry to mark their first wedding anniversary. The stack now makes a pleasant little pave-diamond sandwich.

CHRIS ALLERTON/AFP/Getty Images

The second official photo from the christening gives us another view of sweet little Archie, as well as a glimpse of Meghan’s earrings. She chose to wear the same Cartier diamond stud earrings that she wore for her wedding ceremony.

CHRIS ALLERTON/AFP/Getty Images

My best-dressed of the day was Archie’s grandmother, Doria Ragland. From her hat to the color of her ensemble to her accessories, the look was spot-on! I love the simple gold hoop earrings and the festive ’60s-style brooch.

CHRIS ALLERTON/AFP/Getty Images

The Duchess of Cornwall wore tried-and-true pieces for the christening of the newest member of the family: her favorite pearl drop earrings and her pearl choker necklace with the large diamond clasp.

CHRIS ALLERTON/AFP/Getty Images

The Duchess of Cambridge wore jewels from the collection of the late Diana, Princess of Wales for the christening: her Collingwood Pearl Drop Earrings and — of course! — her sapphire and diamond engagement ring. Like Meghan, Kate now wears a stack of three rings: her engagement ring, her Welsh gold wedding band, and her pave-set diamond eternity ring.

CHRIS ALLERTON/AFP/Getty Images

Diana’s sisters were also present for the christening of their great-nephew. Lady Jane Fellowes wore button-style earrings that appear to be made of diamonds and black enamel, while Lady Sarah McCorquodale chose simple golden earrings.

Thank you so much for all your kind messages ahead of my wedding last weekend! You made both of us feel so special. I’ll be doing a lengthy post about my jewels and dress here on the blog in a few weeks (after my photographer sends me the pictures!), but if you’d like a sneak peek, head over to my Instagram account!