Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World
Ten years ago today, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom arrived at a state dinner held during a momentous diplomatic occasion: the first visit of a reigning British monarch to Ireland in a century. Here’s a closer look at the jewels (and the symbol-packed dress!) that the Queen wore for the dinner at Dublin Castle.
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| Chris Jackson/Getty Images |
I’m back from my honeymoon — thanks to everyone for holding down the fort in my absence! Time to catch up on some of the current events of last week, starting with the Cambridges’ tour of Ireland.
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The Duke and Duchess kicked off their first official visit to Ireland on Tuesday with a stop at the nation’s presidential residence, Aras an Uachtarain, in Dublin. There, they were greeted by President Michael D. Higgins and his wife, Sabina Coyne. The welcome continued with an audience with the country’s prime minister, Teoiseach Leo Varadkar, and his partner, Matthew Barrett. The Cambridges also laid a ceremonial wreath at the Garden of Remembrance, a memorial in Dublin dedicated to those who gave their lives for Irish independence.
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| Chris Jackson – Pool/Getty Images |
For these initial engagements, Kate wore a pair of new earrings. The diamond floral studs are the Daisy Heritage style from Asprey.
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| Chris Jackson/Getty Images |
On Tuesday evening, the couple attended a reception at the famous Guinness Storehouse, hosted by the British Ambassador to Ireland, Robin Barnett.
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| Chris Jackson/Getty Images |
With her dazzling green gown, Kate wore a pair of golden statement earrings from H&M. This was the second outing for the earrings; Kate previously wore them in November 2018 for a Royal Foundation dinner in London.
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| Facundo Arrizabalaga – Pool /Getty Images |
On Wednesday, William and Kate’s engagements included a stop at Jigsaw, the National Center for Youth Mental Health in Dublin. The Cambridges’ charitable platform includes a major focus on mental health support, especially for young people. They also made a visit to Savannah House, a shelter run by Extern, a social justice organization.
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| Facundo Arrizabalaga – Pool /Getty Images |
During the visits, Kate wore another new pair of earrings with an appropriate design for a visit to Ireland. They feature open hoops with a shamrock charm. Our friends over at What Kate Wore have identified these as the Mini Cupid Hoops with Baby Shamrock Charms by Daniella Draper. They believe the earrings are sterling silver, but they look a bit more golden in tone to me.
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Wednesday’s engagements also included a stop at the Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research Center in Grange, as well as a walk along Howth Cliff.
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Kate wore the same shamrock earrings for the outdoor engagements.
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Here’s one more view from the couple’s stop in Howth. This angle gives you a clearer view of the curved “cupid’s arrow” design of the hoops.
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| Phil Noble – WPA Pool/Getty Images |
Wednesday evening’s reception, hosted by Ireland’s deputy prime minister, Simon Coveney, was held at Ireland’s Museum of Literature on St. Stephen’s Green.
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| Phil Noble – WPA Pool/Getty Images |
During the reception, Kate wore a pair of gold-toned earrings featuring an open circle stud and a larger twisted gold hoop.
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For the final day of the trip, the Cambridges headed to Galway, where they spent their Thursday taking in a variety of cultural activities. During a meeting with Galway Community Circus performers, local artists and young musicians, William even got to show off his juggling skills.
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The neckline of Kate’s dress gave us a good view of her necklace. This simple shamrock pendant necklace, also by Daniella Draper, coordinates with the earrings Kate debuted during the tour.
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It wouldn’t be a Cambridge royal visit without a sports demonstration, would it? William and Kate stopped by the Salthill Knocknacarra GAA Club to try their hand at Gaelic football and hurling.
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| Facundo Arrizabalaga – Pool/Getty Images |
Kate again reached for the Daniella Draper shamrock earrings for this sporty engagement.
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And that’s a wrap on the royal jewelry from this official visit! What did you think of Kate’s choices for her first official trip to Ireland? (And do you think we’ll see those shamrock earrings again next week on St. Patrick’s Day?)
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King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands embarked on a state visit to Ireland on Wednesday, and Maxima wore jewels that honored both nations.
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| PAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty Images |
Wax ‘n Max arrived at the Presidential Mansion in Dublin on Wednesday, where they were greeted by President Higgins and his wife, Sabina. The king and queen immediately began getting down to the business of royal visits by planting a tree.
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| PAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty Images |
Maxima also visited Dublin’s CoderDojo, which is part of a global movement of free, volunteer-led, community-based computer programming clubs for young people. The engagement gave us a good look at her diamond earrings, which feature orange gemstone drops. (The royal family of the Netherlands is part of the House of Orange, so Maxima has a lot of orange-themed jewels.) She also wore her fantastic padparadscha sapphire ring.
For Wednesday evening’s state banquet, Maxima appropriately chose pieces from the family’s emerald parure.
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The tiara from the suite features a trio of emerald toppers, plus a large central emerald cluster. (Originally the tiara had five emerald toppers, but two of them were repurposed as a pair of earrings.) The tiara, which was made in 1899, can also be worn with pearl toppers or in a petite all-diamond setting. (Learn more about it over here!)
Maxima wore the tiara with her own convertible emerald earrings. (Learn more about them here!)
She also wore one of my favorite emerald pieces from the Dutch vaults: the brooch from the emerald parure. For this occasion, Maxima wore it as a pendant on a diamond necklace.
She also attached the family’s large cabochon emerald pendant, which is roughly the size of a small egg. The emerald was a favorite of Queen Juliana’s, but it has been with the family at least since the reign of Queen Wilhelmina. Many speculate that the pendant is one of the Russian jewels that made its way into the Dutch royal vaults.
Maxima finished off the look with a diamond and emerald bangle.
Here’s a look at Maxima’s complete ensemble for the banquet.