Royal Jewels of Remembrance in London for Queen Mathilde and Duchess Birgitte

Last weekend, an impressive royal gathering quietly happened in central London, with the Queen of the Belgians and the Duchess of Gloucester wearing classic diamonds and pearls to remember fallen heroes.

Every year on the weekend preceding Belgium’s National Day in July, the Belgian Cenotaph Parade takes place in London. Members of Belgium’s Armed Forces march from the Cenotaph, the war memorial on Whitehall, through Horse Guards Parade to the Guards Memorial. The parade was first held in 1934 as a way to honor the late King Albert I of Belgium, who had commanded troops during World War I. King George V, who was a cousin of the late Belgian king, granted Belgian soldiers the special privilege of parading in uniform with arms in London. Belgium is the only non-Commonwealth nation allowed to do so.

The King and Queen of the Belgians are occasionally able to travel to London to be present for the parade. This year, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde were joined by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester for the event. Both the King and the Duke were in uniform, with Philippe wearing the star and purple sash of Belgium’s Order of Leopold and Richard wearing the sash and star of the Order of the Garter, as well as the neck badge of the Order of Saint John.

Both the Queen and the Duchess wore elegant daywear for the parade. Mathilde wore a colorful ensemble from Armani Privé, while Birgitte wore a cream-colored coat over a black and white printed day dress. We’ve seen this coat on Birgitte several times recently, including outings at Trooping the Colour and Royal Ascot.

Queen Mathilde wore a classic pair of diamond drop earrings with her outfit, as well as her usual bracelets and watch on her left wrist.

Here’s a closer look at the earrings, which Mathilde has been wearing for both day and evening occasions for several years. She’s also loaned them to her elder daughter, the Duchess of Brabant.

Birgitte reached for classic pearls to pair with her outfit for the parade, wearing pearl drop earrings and a single strand of pearls.

Here’s another look at the earrings and necklace. Birgitte likes to add various pendants from her jewelry box to this strand of pearls, but on this occasion, she let it speak for itself.

Belgium celebrates its National Day on Sunday. I’m planning to feature jewels from that day’s celebrations here at The Court Jeweller early next week!