Exquisite Entente Cordiale Celebration Earrings for Duchess Sophie

The Duchess of Edinburgh made a special appearance at Buckingham Palace on Monday, wearing a pair of favorite earrings from her collection of aquamarine jewels.

On Monday, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh joined Hélène Duchêne, the French ambassador to the United Kingdom, for a special Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, celebrating the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale. Buckingham Palace noted that “French and British troops swapped roles in the Changing of the Guard outside the palaces of the other country’s Head of State” to mark the anniversary. They added, “The event marks the first time a country from outside the Commonwealth has taken part in the Changing of the Guard on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.”

The Entente Cordiale, signed on April 8, 1904, was a series of agreements that laid the groundwork for a solid diplomatic relationship between the United Kingdom and the French Republic. Much of the actual content of the agreements related to colonial territories, including Egypt and Morocco. The agreement wasn’t a formal alliance–that didn’t happen until after World War I began ten years later. But it was a crucial part of the formal end of the ancient conflicts that had existed between the two nations for centuries, and it is celebrated as a very important part of their continuing relationship today.

In France, President Emmanuel Macron reviewed troops in Paris. Continuing medical treatment prevented King Charles III from taking part in the event at Buckingham Palace. His brother and sister-in-law, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, stepped in on his behalf.

For the Changing of the Guard ceremony, Sophie was elegant in shades of cream and blue. UFO No More tells us that her dress was made by Roland Mouret. The choice was a nice little diplomatic nod, as Mouret is a French designer.

Sophie echoed the light blue color of the dress with her choice of earrings for the event: floral earrings set with light blue gemstones.

The earrings feature a five-petaled blossom with a gold-toned center. They come from Sophie’s large collection of blue jewels set with aquamarines and blue topazes.

Sophie has chosen the earrings for several important moments over the years. In June 2009, she wore them for a royal engagement in Whitton on her tenth wedding anniversary.

Two summers ago, in June 2023, she wore them at Royal Ascot, part of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. She paired the earrings on that occasion with her gorgeous aquamarine, diamond, and enamel Art Deco brooch.

Here’s one more look at the earrings from Monday’s event at the palace. Sophie paired them with a subdued necklace, the “diamond slice pendant” from the British brand Felt.