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Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World

Royal Tour of Canada: Arrival in Victoria

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The Cambridges arrive in Canada (Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

And so it begins! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, with Prince George and Princess Charlotte, have arrived in British Columbia to embark on a tour of Canada. We’ll be following all of Kate’s jewelry here during the tour, and we’ve got a great couple of pieces to kick things off.

Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Kate chose her diamond and tanzanite earrings from Collins and Sons for the arrival. The vivid blue of the tanzanites pairs perfectly with her royal blue dress and hat (which, naturally, is festooned with maple leaves).

Photos: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images

Here’s a close look at the earrings, plus the coordinating necklace from the suite. You can read our extensive post on the set over here.

Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

For the second time, the Queen has loaned Kate a piece of jewelry with a very Canadian connection: the Diamond Maple Leaf Brooch that belonged to the Queen Mother. Made by Asprey, the brooch was a gift to the Queen Mum from her husband, King George VI, in 1939. The gift was in commemoration of their 1939 tour of Canada; the Queen Mum wore it for the first time during their Atlantic crossing.

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Above, the Queen Mum wears the brooch in April 1940, shortly after the outbreak of World War II, during a visit to an ammunition factory. She kept and wore the brooch throughout her lifetime, and it was inherited by the Queen in 2002. Since then, the Queen has loaned the piece to both the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge.

Photo: GEOFF ROBINS/AFP/Getty Images

Kate wore the brooch multiple times during the Cambridges’ last tour of Canada, which took place shortly after their wedding in the summer of 2011. Above, she wears the brooch (and another maple-leaf themed hat) in Ottawa on Canada Day. You can read more about the Maple Leaf Brooch in our post here.

Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

In one of my favorite images from the airport arrival, Princess Charlotte reached out to grasp her great-great-grandmother’s brooch.

Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

At the official welcome ceremony in Victoria, Kate wore the same outfit and jewelry. Her wedding and engagement rings were also visible.

Photos: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Here’s a closer look at both major jewelry pieces from today’s arrival. I give the entire look a thumbs-up — how about you?

Kate’s Jewelry Box: The Collins Tanzanite Suite

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Kate attends a service of commemoration for British troops who served in Afghanistan (Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

The Duchess of Cambridge’s jewelry box is full of eye-catching suites, but one of the most glittering and vibrant sets is her diamond and tanzanite necklace and coordinating earrings.

Photo: Geoff Pugh – WPA Pool / Getty Images

Kate debuted the set, which is made of platinum, at a service of commemoration at St. Paul’s Cathedral in 2015. The event honored British troops who served in Afghanistan.

Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images

Above, you can see a detailed close-up of both the necklace and earrings. The earrings can be worn either as studs, as Kate does, or as pear-shaped dangles. Each electric-blue, pear-shaped tanzanite weighs more than six carats.

Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images

The necklace and earrings were made by G. Collins and Sons, a British firm based in Tunbridge Wells. The company’s owner, Harry Collins, is the current crown jeweller.

Photo: Chris Radburn – WPA Pool/Getty Images

In April, Kate wore the set in public for a second time when she, William, and Harry welcomed President and Mrs. Obama to Kensington Palace for dinner.