Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World
Today’s royal brooch post is an absolute whopper! As we begin our annual June exploration of magnificent royal pearls, we’ve got a closer look today at the grand diamond and pearl devant de corsage from the Dutch royal vaults.
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| JENS BUTTNER/AFP/Getty Images |
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands jetted over to Germany for an official visit this week, and today we’ve got a look at the glamorous and whimsical jewels that Maxima packed for the trip.
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| JENS BUTTNER/AFP/Getty Images |
The royal couple began their visit in Schwerin on Monday, where they were hosted by Manuela Schwesig, the Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and her husband, Stefan. They toured Schwerin Palace, which is now a government building, visiting its grand ducal throne room and orangerie. The palace has special meaning for Willem-Alexander; his great-grandfather was Duke Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
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| JENS BUTTNER/AFP/Getty Images |
Maxima began the visit in a pair of earrings with gem-set quatrefoil pendants. The little bow you’ll see pinned to her outfit during her visits to Germany is the ribbon of the German Order of Merit.
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| JENS BUTTNER/AFP/Getty Images |
Maxima also wore a stack of bracelets, including her diamond wedding bracelet and her diamond initial bracelet, on her right wrist, as well as her diamond and ruby ring.
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| CHRISTOPH SOEDER/AFP/Getty Images |
On Tuesday, the royals traveled to Schwielowsee near Potsdam, where they were hosted by several officials, including German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen and Brandenburg’s State Premier Dietmar Woidke. The day’s itinerary included visits to the Henning-von-Tresckow Barracks and the Bundeswehr Foreign Operations Command.
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| Sean Gallup/Getty Images |
Maxima chose pearls for her accessories on Tuesday, including a pearl necklace and her pearl stud and drop earrings.
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| CHRISTOPH SOEDER/AFP/Getty Images |
She also wore a pearl and diamond ring on her right hand.
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| JENS KALAENE/AFP/Getty Images |
For a dinner in the Historical Saftfabrik in Werder on Tuesday evening, Maxima changed into a vibrant dress with statement jewels.
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| JENS KALAENE/AFP/Getty Images |
Her earrings were the major accessory of note: large modern pieces that appear to be set with coral.
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| JENS KALAENE/AFP/Getty Images |
Here’s a look at the entire ensemble for the dinner.
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| BRITTA PEDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images |
On Wednesday, Wax ‘n Max peeked into the royal past again as they toured Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam. The famous palace was the summer home of Frederick the Great — who, of course, is also one of Willem-Alexander’s ancestors. The royals were shown around the palace by Christoph Martin Vogtherr, general director of the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation.
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| BRITTA PEDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images |
Maxima accessorized her blush and gray ensemble with a fair bit of glitter. On her right wrist, you’ll spot a stack of diamond bracelets: her wedding bracelet, her initial bracelet, and one of the Dutch East Indies bracelets.
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| BRITTA PEDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images |
But the big jewelry moment of the day came courtesy Maxima’s statement earrings: a pair of dazzling oversized hoops. We can all be very grateful for the painted ceilings at Sanssouci, because they drew Maxima’s eye and allowed us a good glimpse of these jewels!
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| Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images |
The Dutch royal jewelry vaults are some of the most impressive in all of Europe, with numerous parures and suites set with precious gems. Today, we’ve got a closer look at one of the family’s lovely butterfly brooches.
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| REMKO DE WAAL/AFP/Getty Images |
This stunning brooch, set with diamonds and emeralds, dates to the end of the nineteenth century. It was a gift from King Willem III of the Netherlands to his second wife, Queen Emma. The royal couple married in 1879, and Willem died in 1890. Emma needed major jewels for her dual royal roles, first as queen consort, and then as regent for her young daughter, Queen Wilhelmina.
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| TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images |
The brooch is still in the royal vaults today. The piece has been worn by numerous members of the royal family, including Queen Juliana and Princess Beatrix. Today, it’s become a favorite piece of Queen Maxima. Above, she wears the brooch during a visit to Japan in October 2014.
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| REMKO DE WAAL/AFP/Getty Images |
Appropriately, Maxima likes to pair the brooch with clothing in vibrant shades of green. Above, she wears the brooch on a green jacket for a conference on transgender health care in Amsterdam in June 2016.
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| Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images |
And in October 2018, she pinned the brooch (carefully!) to a modern lace gown in a darker shade of jade. On both occasions, she wore the brooch with her diamond and emerald earrings, which can be worn in various lengths.
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| Koen van Weel/AFP/Getty Images |
The brooch’s size also makes it a lovely hair ornament. In May 2015, the brooch was fastened in Maxima’s hair for the annual Liberation Day Concert in Amsterdam.
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| Harry Pot/Anefo/Nationaal Archief/Wikimedia Commons |
And she’s not the first member of the family to have experimented with wearing the brooch in her hair. In April 1963, Princess Irene used the brooch as an alternate to a traditional tiara for a return dinner during a state visit from the President of Mexico.