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Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World

New Pieces for Charlene of Monaco?

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Princess Charlene of Monaco celebrated her 37th birthday yesterday. I’m a firm believer that all birthdays deserve to be recognized with generous helpings of bling, but when you have a birthday right after giving birth to an heir and a spare? Surely that deserves some extra-special sparkle! Here are some pieces from Charlene’s favorite jewelers that I hope Prince Albert added to her collection this weekend. What pieces would you like to see her wear?
Graff’s Sapphire and Diamond Demi-Parure

Charlene often wears jewelry by Graff, including the diamond floral headband she donned last year. The company is currently selling a gorgeous set of diamond and sapphire jewels that would be just perfect for gala events in Monaco. 

The necklace features berry-like sapphire beads nestled within leaves of diamonds and interspersed with several large emerald-cut sapphires; the earrings echo the necklace’s motif. The demi-parure includes more than 33 carats of diamonds and a whopping 183 carats of sapphires.

Van Cleef and Arpels’s Olympia Bracelet

One of Charlene’s most elaborate wedding gifts was made by Van Cleef and Arpels: the convertible Ocean Tiara and its coordinating earrings. While Charlene rarely wears these elaborate jewels, I think she’d find many more occasions to wear the company’s Olympia bracelet, made of diamonds set in white gold. The bracelet would transition nicely from day to night, making it suitable for everything from the Grand Prix to the Rose Ball. (Also: what better motif for a former Olympian to wear than interlocking rings?)

Repossi’s White Noise Earrings

Charlene often favors jewelry with a bit of an edge — a welcome bit of interest when paired with her usual sleek couture gowns. These unusual earrings by Repossi (maker of her engagement ring) would definitely fit the bill. The White Noise diamond and rose gold earrings curve around the wearer’s earlobes in a pattern that somehow manages to be both elegant and hectic.
Cartier’s Panthère de Cartier Pin

You all know that I’m a big proponent of the return of the brooch, but even I recognize that they’re probably not among Charlene’s most desired pieces. That said — of all of the princesses in the world today, I’m hard pressed to think of one who could wear a classic Cartier panther brooch as well as Charlene could. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see something so glam and slinky pinned to the lapel of her coats? This version is made of 18K yellow gold with a black lacquer nose and an unexpected green tsavorite garnet eye.

This Week in Royal Jewels: January 16-22

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January 16-22, 2015
Birthdays, brooches, and a trip to the circus — here are this week’s royal jewels!
10. The Countess of Wessex celebrated her 50th birthday this week with a series of engagements; she chose minimal jewelry, including these sea urchin stud earrings by Patrick Mavros. The earrings feature tiny black diamonds in the center of the stud. Closeups are available at Anna’s blog.

9. The Duchess of Cambridge wore a more familiar pair of earrings during her visit to the Kensington Leisure Centre on Monday: her Kiki McDonough green amethyst drop earrings.

8. The annual International Circus Festival is in full swing in Monaco. Princess Stephanie, wearing no jewelry as usual, attended the circus on Saturday with her daughters, Pauline and Camille. And, praise be, it looks like Camille may be stepping up the jewelry game in this branch of the Grimaldi family: check out the statement earrings she paired with her fur hat!

7. Another of Princess Grace’s granddaughters, Charlotte Casiraghi, wore a pair of delicate hoop earrings and a bracelet on Monday to announce her new partnership with Montblanc.

6. On Wednesday, Queen Letizia of Spain wore a lovely pair of drop earrings and a glittering dress to receive foreign ambassadors at the palace.

5. Princess Caroline wore an intriguing necklace to view an exhibit at the New National Museum in Monaco on Tuesday.

4. The Duchess of Cornwall wore one of her many pearl choker necklaces to welcome radio personality Chris Evans to Clarence House on Tuesday.

3. The Duchess of Cambridge debuted a new pair of earrings at the Fostering Network on Friday. They’re the “Lolita” earrings by Mirabelle.

2. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands wore another massive statement necklace this week, this time to a conference on financial inclusion in London on Monday.

1. She’s still on her Christmas holiday — and will be until February 6, the anniversary of her father’s death and her accession to the throne — but Queen Elizabeth II stepped out at Sandringham on Thursday for a Women’s Institute meeting. She wore her Cartier aquamarine clips for the engagement. (Also worth noting: on Thursday, Elizabeth II became the oldest living person in the world currently reigning as a monarch when King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia died. Please live forever, Lilibet.)

Monaco Welcomes Gabriella and Jacques

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Most of the royals are still enjoying their winter holidays at the moment, so we’re postponing the weekly jewel news until we get, well, more news! In the meantime, let’s look at the big royal event of the week: the official presentation of Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques of Monaco! We’ve got adorable babies, glamorous Grimaldis, and jewels that belonged to Princess Grace…

Prince Albert presented the heir to the throne, Hereditary Prince Jacques…

While Princess Charlene brought Princess Gabriella on to the balcony for her official presentation. Gabriella is the older of the twins by two minutes, but because Monaco still follows male-preference primogeniture rules, Jacques will one day be the nation’s sovereign prince.

For the presentation, Charlene wore pearl stud earrings and an outfit by Akris.

Many of the other members of the Grimaldi family also gathered at the palace for the happy occasion. The twins’ aunt, Princess Stephanie, wore simple silver-toned stud earrings; she and her son, Louis Ducruet, both look especially happy, don’t they?

Princess Caroline looked equally proud and happy as she greeted the crowd. I love that she took the opportunity to wear a set of golden jewelry that belonged to her late mother, Princess Grace. Here’s a picture of a young Grace wearing the set. This was the perfect occasion to bring out a family heirloom or two!

Three of Caroline’s children also attended the presentation. Above, Hollywood film star Pierre Casiraghi and Princess Alexandra of Hanover stand with Princess Stephanie’s younger daughter, Camille. The couple standing on the right side of the image are Princess Charlene’s brother, Gareth, and his girlfriend.

Charlotte Casiraghi was at the presentation with her partner, French comedian Gad Elmaleh.

Princess Antoinette’s daughter, Elisabeth-Anne de Massy, and her daughter Melanie were also spotted on the balcony. You can also glimpse a slightly better view of Charlotte’s earrings in this shot.

After presenting the babies to the Monegasque people, Albert and Charlene greeted the gathered crowd during a short walkabout.