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Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World

Princess Ayako’s Wedding Tiara

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TORU HANAI/AFP/Getty Images

Princess Ayako of Takamado became Ayako Moriya when she married Kei Moriya this week in Tokyo, but even after she was officially no longer a princess, she gave us one of the most innovative jewelry moments the imperial family has seen in some time.

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Princess Ayako wore traditional attire as she arrived for her wedding ceremony at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo on Monday…

JIJI PRESS/AFP/Getty Images

…and Ayako Moriya also wore traditional attire as she and her new husband took questions from journalists outside the shrine after their wedding.

TORU HANAI/AFP/Getty Images

On Tuesday evening, the newlyweds were feted at a banquet in Tokyo that was also attended by Prime Minister Abe, Crown Prince Naruhito, and Crown Princess Masako.

TORU HANAI/AFP/Getty Images

For the banquet, Ayako wore diamonds, including this striking diamond tiara.

HENRIK MONTGOMERY/AFP/Getty Images

You may recognize the tiara: it’s a converted diamond floral necklace worn by Ayako’s mother, the Princess Takamado. Here, she wears the necklace with her diamond bandeau in Sweden in 2016.

TORU HANAI/AFP/Getty Images

Here’s a straight-on view of the converted tiara.

TORU HANAI/AFP/Getty Images

Ayako paired the tiara with a coordinating diamond floral bracelet and diamond earrings.

TORU HANAI/AFP/Getty Images

Crown Princess Masako chose pearl jewels with diamond accents for the occasion.

TORU HANAI/AFP/Getty Images

The joy on the faces of the bride and groom (who are smiling here at the crown prince and crown princess) was totally evident. Congratulations to the Moriyas!

This Week in Royal Wedding Jewels: October 12-18

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October 12-18, 2018
When there’s a British royal wedding, you know there’s going to be a separate, bonus royal jewelry review for the week! Here’s my top ten list of the best royal jewels worn at Princess Eugenie’s wedding — don’t forget to vote for your favorites in the poll below!
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10. Lady Gabriella Windsor, who recently announced her own engagement, wore a pair of stunning blue statement earrings for the wedding. (More here!)

GARETH FULLER/AFP/Getty Images
9. The Duchess of Sussex glittered in Herkimer diamonds by Pippa Small for the ceremony, including numerous stacked rings. (More views here!)
GARETH FULLER/AFP/Getty Images
8. Gold, diamonds, and pearls, including earrings from Andrew Grima and a classic ribbon brooch, were the Princess Royal’s accessories for the wedding. (More here!)
Victoria Jones – WPA Pool/Getty Images
7. Sarah, Duchess of York was luminous in emeralds for her daughter’s wedding. (See more, including her bracelet stacks, here!)
ANDREW MATTHEWS/AFP/Getty Images
6. Pearls and classic diamond and ruby clips were the Duchess of Gloucester’s choices for the wedding. (More here!)
YUI MOK/AFP/Getty Images
5. To serve as her sister’s maid of honor, Princess Beatrice of York wore earrings from Sabine Getty and an adorable little diamond bee brooch. (See earring close-ups here!)
GARETH FULLER/AFP/Getty Images
4. The Duchess of Cambridge went for major daytime diamonds for the wedding, donning the diamond frame earrings on loan to her from the Queen. (Much more here!)
Owen Humphreys – WPA Pool/Getty Images
3. One of the Queen’s most beloved brooches, the Cullinan V Brooch, was her jewel of choice for her granddaughter’s big day. (More here!)
Alex Bramall/Royal Communications via Getty Images
2. It didn’t show in the pictures of Princess Eugenie’s wedding dress, but a press release from the palace revealed that she swapped out her tiara for one of Queen Victoria’s Wheat-Ear Brooches. She reportedly wore the brooch as a slide in her hair, as her grandmother has sometimes done.
ALASTAIR GRANT/AFP/Getty Images
1. The showstoppers, though, were the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik and the diamond and emerald earrings given to Princess Eugenie by her new husband. (Get much, much more on her bridal jewels over here!)

Royal Jewels at Princess Eugenie’s Wedding

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Owen Humphreys – WPA Pool/Getty Images

There were royals galore present at St. George’s Chapel this morning for the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank — and lots of royal jewelry, too! Here’s an overview of the British royal jewels worn for the occasion.

Jonathan Brady – WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Queen attended the wedding of her sixth grandchild alongside the Duke of Edinburgh, who was a last-minute addition to the guest list.

Owen Humphreys – WPA Pool/Getty Images

She chose one of her grandest brooches, the Cullinan V, for the occasion. The Prince of Wales sat beside his parents for the ceremony; his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, did not attend because of a conflict with a previously-scheduled engagement.

Jeremy Selwyn – WPA Pool/Getty Images

But no matter — Fergie was on the scene! Sarah, Duchess of York wore emerald green, coordinating with her daughter’s tiara. She also carried a meaningful accessory: the same clutch bag carried by her mother, the late Susan Barrantes, for Andrew and Sarah’s 1986 nuptials.

Victoria Jones – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Fergie wore a mix of coordinating gems and sentimental jewels for her daughter’s wedding.

Victoria Jones – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Her earrings were classic emerald and diamond cluster drops…

Victoria Jones – WPA Pool/Getty Images

…while stacks of bracelets, including one emblazoned with her daughters’ names, adorned her wrists.

STEVE PARSONS/AFP/Getty Images

Princess Beatrice, serving as her sister’s maid of honor, wore electric blue for the occasion — and much more jewelry than we’re used to seeing on her!

BEN BIRCHALL/AFP/Getty Images

Beatrice even wore a pair of earrings. These look to be clip-ons, which makes sense, as I don’t believe Beatrice’s ears are pierced.

YUI MOK/AFP/Getty Images

A lovely little diamond bee brooch was also pinned to the neckline of Princess Bea’s dress.

OWEN HUMPHREYS/AFP/Getty Images

The Duchess of Cambridge was pretty in deep pink for the ceremony.

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She accessorized with the pair of diamond frame earrings loaned to her by the Queen.

DANNY LAWSON/AFP/Getty Images

The family’s most recent royal bride, the Duchess of Sussex, wore navy for her return to St. George’s Chapel.

ALASTAIR GRANT/AFP/Getty Images

Her earrings featured pale gemstones in bezel-set gold fittings.

GARETH FULLER/AFP/Getty Images

She also wore a bracelet and stacks of rings on her right hand.

DANNY LAWSON/AFP/Getty Images

This close-up makes me think that the earrings and rings (and perhaps bracelet) may all be coordinating pieces from the same designer.

Gareth Fuller – WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Princess Royal reached into her jewelry box for some familiar pieces: a double-stranded pearl necklace, her gold and pearl earrings from Andrew Grima, and her gold and diamond ribbon brooch.

Mark Large – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Autumn Phillips strayed from her usual pearl stud earrings, choosing a pair instead that was a bit more modern in design.

Owen Humphreys – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Her sister-in-law, Zara Phillips Tindall, opted for a much more classic earring in a drop style.

ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images

The Countess of Wessex chose a favorite piece, her crystal and resin Dior brooch, for her niece’s wedding.

Gareth Fuller – WPA Pool/Getty Images

She opted not to wear the earrings that coordinate with the brooch, choosing instead to wear pearl drop earrings.

YUI MOK/AFP/Getty Images

Lady Louise Windsor, who was tasked with wrangling the children in the wedding party, wore the lovely diamond and pearl pendant necklace that also wore this summer at Trooping the Colour.

Mark Large – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Princess Margaret’s children and their spouses were also in attendance, but they managed to hide a bit from the photographers behind Princess Anne’s children. You’ll spot the Countess of Snowdon behind Autumn Phillips, and, behind Mike Tindall, you’ll note Lady Sarah Chatto, who wore pearls.

ANDREW MATTHEWS/AFP/Getty Images

The Duchess of Gloucester also wore pearls, pairing them with pieces from her collection of vintage gem-set clips.

Jonathan Brady – WPA Pool/Getty Images

As neither the Duchess of Kent nor Princess Alexandra (who is recovering from a broken arm) were in attendance, Princess Michael was the senior Kent lady at the wedding. She wore pearls with a large wing brooch and a cocktail ring.

AARON CHOWN/AFP/Getty Images

More Kents were visible as the couple departed from St. George’s, including Princess Alexandra’s granddaughter, Zenouska Mowatt. She chose a pair of statement earrings in a neutral shade to accessorize her deep cranberry-colored ensemble. (You’ll also spot a gleaming bangle on the Countess of Snowdon in the background.)
P.S.: Doesn’t Lady Gabriella’s fiance (standing beside the Duchess of Gloucester) look like James Ogilvy (Princess Alexandra’s son, standing beside Lady Snowdon)?
AARON CHOWN/AFP/Getty Images

Lady Gabriella Windsor, who recently announced her engagement to Tom Kingston, wore a pair of eye-catching blue earrings.

Danny Lawson – WPA Pool/Getty Images

A few more Kent ladies were there, including Lady Helen Taylor, but the cameras didn’t catch a good look. But they did capture Lady Frederick! Sophie wore an elegant pair of gem-set drop earrings to watch her daughter, Maud, process down the aisle with the rest of the bridesmaids.

Yui Mok – WPA Pool/Getty Images