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The Women of Hampshire Brooch

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Queen Elizabeth II wears the Women of Hampshire Brooch at the farewell ceremony during the Dutch state visit, October 2018 (CHRISTOPHER FURLONG/AFP/Getty Images)

Queen Mary’s wedding presents included a number of important pieces of jewelry. We talk a whole lot about the magnificent tiaras that she received, but the gifts included other pieces as well. Today, we’re looking at a lovely smaller piece from the collection of gifts: the Women of Hampshire Brooch.

Mary wears the brooch on her order sash for a portrait taken in Melbourne, May 1901

The brooch was one of the gifts given to Mary by a committee of women. This time, the group was made of women who lived in the county of Hampshire. The committee was chaired by an important aristocratic lady: Elizabeth Wellesley, the Dowager Duchess of Wellington.

Elizabeth Wellesley, Duchess of Wellington, ca. 1861 (Wikimedia Commons)

Elizabeth was the daughter of a marquess and the daughter-in-law of the famous 1st Duke of Wellington, the hero of the Battle of Waterloo. She also served as Queen Victoria’s Mistress of the Robes, so she was used to moving in royal circles. The committee selected a piece of diamond and pearl jewelry with a floral motif from Garrard for the present.

Christopher Furlong – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Initially, the piece was designed to be worn as a pendant on a necklace, but Mary later had it converted so that it could be worn as a brooch. It has a distinctive shape with three pendant stones: two pear-shaped diamonds and a large pear-shaped pearl.

Queen Mary wears the brooch at Princess Anne’s christening

Mary often wore her brooches, including this one, pinned at her throat. That’s precisely how she wore it for the christening of her great-granddaughter, the Princess Royal, in 1950.

Queen Elizabeth II wears the brooch for a reception at Buckingham Palace, July 2010 (Anthony Devlin/WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The brooch was among the jewels inherited by the present Queen when her grandmother, Queen Mary, died in 1953. Since then, it’s become part of the Queen’s daytime brooch rota, popping up now and again at various royal engagements.

Note: This is an expanded version of an earlier post, with new text and images.

Royal Jewels at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Wedding

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ANDREW MILLIGAN/AFP/Getty Images

The Windsors showed up in droves today at St. George’s Chapel to watch the Duke and Duchess of Sussex exchange vows and rings. Here’s a look at the jewels that the royals wore for the big celebration!

JONATHAN BRADY/AFP/Getty Images

The Queen wore her usual daytime pearl necklace and earrings with one of the grandest brooches in her collection: Queen Mary’s Richmond Brooch.

Gareth Fuller – WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Duchess of Cornwall picked her most impressive daytime necklace: the five-stranded pearl choker with the large pink topaz and diamond clasp. She paired it with her usual daytime pearl drop earrings.

JONATHAN BRADY/AFP/Getty Images

I don’t know the particulars on these earrings yet, but I do know Kiki McDonough when I see it!

JANE BARLOW/AFP/Getty Images

The Duchess of Cambridge was also wearing a large ring on her right hand. I don’t have details yet on this one, either. Will update if I get them!

GARETH FULLER/AFP/Getty Images

The Princess Royal wore her gold and pearl earrings, one of her seed pearl necklaces, and a gold bangle on the day.

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Here’s another view that shows Anne’s earrings, necklace, and golden floral brooch.

Gareth Fuller – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Anne’s daughter, Zara Tindall, wore a pair of earrings with green drops that matched her coat. Zara and Mike are expecting their second child within a matter of weeks.

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Here’s another view of the earrings from inside the chapel.

Gareth Fuller – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Autumn Phillips’s earrings were obscured by her hair and her elegant hat.

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We got just the briefest glimpse of an accessory when she adjusted her hat inside the chapel.

Gareth Fuller – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Beatrice’s major accessories for the day were rings on both hands.

Gareth Fuller – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Here’s a better look at the rings on her right hand.

Gareth Fuller – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Eugenie also eschewed earrings for the wedding day.

ANDREW MILLIGAN/AFP/Getty Images

But her engagement ring was on display!

GARETH FULLER/AFP/Getty Images

Sarah, Duchess of York wore earrings with pale pink drops to coordinate with her outfit.

Chris Radburn – WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Countess of Wessex was effortlessly elegant in diamond and pearl drop earrings.

JONATHAN BRADY/AFP/Getty Images

Her daughter, Lady Louise, wore a lovely pendant necklace.

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The wedding was also attended by several members of the extended family. The Countess of Snowdon, daughter-in-law of Princess Margaret, wore her customary pearls.

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Lady Sarah Chatto, who is one of Harry’s godparents, was also there, looking lovely in blue. Her major accessory were her earrings: the diamond and pearl drop earrings that she wore on her own wedding day. The earrings once belonged to her mother, the late Princess Margaret. I’m not sure if the bit of bling on her belt is a jewel or a part of the garment.

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The Duchess of Gloucester wore pearls and a pair of diamond floral brooches.

CHRIS RADBURN/AFP/Getty Images

The Duchess of Kent wore pearls…

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…and so did her sister-in-law, Princess Alexandra.

CHRIS RADBURN/AFP/Getty Images

Princess Michael of Kent was thankfully appropriate with her jewelry choices, wearing jewelry made of coral and seed pearls.

Jewels of the Queen’s Birthday Party

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ANDREW PARSONS/AFP/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom turned 92 on Saturday, and the nation threw her an elaborate birthday party concert at the Royal Albert Hall to celebrate. Here’s a look at the jewels worn by her family for the big event.

ANDREW PARSONS/AFP/Getty Images

The Queen wore classic pearl and diamond jewels to celebrate her birthday.

JOHN STILLWELL/AFP/Getty Images

Her accessories for the evening included a triple-stranded pearl necklace, one of the Cartier bracelets that belonged to her mother (and which can be worn on a bandeau frame), and the pearl cluster earrings from Queen Alexandra’s Wedding Gift Parure. Elizabeth’s diamond engagement ring also twinkled on her left hand.

JOHN STILLWELL/AFP/Getty Images

The Duchess of Cornwall was radiant in vivid violet.

JOHN STILLWELL/AFP/Getty Images

She donned her diamond earrings from the Magic Alhambra collection by Van Cleef and Arpels, as well as one of her signature pearl necklaces. This particular necklace features four strands of pearls gathered together by an unusual clasp, which appears to be set partly with deep blue or purple gems.

JOHN STILLWELL/AFP/Getty Images

The royal bride-to-be, Meghan Markle, wore golden jewels to compliment her chic navy dress. According to What Meghan Wore, her jewelry for the night was made by Shaun Leane, including gold and silver earrings from the Signature Tusk collection.

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Her bracelets, also by Shaun Leane, were from the Signature Tusk and Serpents Trace lines. My favorite of her accessories, though, was probably this stunning golden constellation clutch bag from Naeem Khan. (Part of me wished that she would have worn classic diamond stud earrings to pick up the starry theme from the bag!)

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She was wearing at least one important piece of diamond jewelry, though: her sparkling engagement ring!

JOHN STILLWELL/AFP/Getty Images

The Princess Royal looked lovely in a silver gown for the evening, and she chose classic accessories to go with it. Her elegant pearl and diamond stud earrings and her double-stranded pearl necklace were paired with this elaborate bird brooch.

JOHN STILLWELL/AFP/Getty Images

She also wore a torque-style bangle bracelet in gold on her right wrist.

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Anne’s daughter-in-law, Autumn Phillips, was also in attendance, but we didn’t get a good look at her jewelry, sadly!

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But we did get a glimpse of Princess Beatrice of York’s delicate bracelets.

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Her sister, Princess Eugenie, arrived with her fiance, Jack Brooksbank. She wore earrings with delicate golden drops.

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We also got a glimpse of her lovely sapphire engagement ring.

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The Countess of Wessex wore a daring, trendy jumpsuit for the evening, pairing it with gemstone drop earrings and her initial charm necklace.

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Sophie’s daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, wore a delicate pendant necklace.

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The Duchess of Gloucester was ultra elegant in heirloom emeralds. The pearl and emerald necklace was a part of Queen Mary’s wedding gift to Birgitte’s mother-in-law, Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester.

JOHN STILLWELL/AFP/Getty Images

Princess Alexandra wore some favorite pieces from her jewelry box, including her lovely pearl choker necklace with the geometric diamond clasp.

JOHN STILLWELL/AFP/Getty Images

And her sister-in-law, Princess Michael of Kent, glittered in diamond earrings and a diamond and sapphire cocktail ring. I’m not sure whether the floral brooch on her white jacket is a standalone jewel or a part of the garment.

JOHN STILLWELL/AFP/Getty Images

There were also numerous other members of the extended Windsor family in attendance, but sadly, we didn’t get a close-up view of their jewels. It’s really a shame, because it looks like Sophie Winkleman — AKA Lady Frederick Windsor — is wearing some pretty spectacular statement earrings!