The Court Jeweller: April 2016

30 April 2016

King Carl XVI Gustaf's 70th Birthday (Evening Gala)

Group photograph from the king's birthday gala (Photo: Peter Knutson/Kungahuset.se)

The festivities in Sweden this weekend wrapped up with a black-tie gala in honor of the king's birthday. Even though this event wasn't white-tie, we were lucky: most of the royal women still wore tiaras! Here's a look at the jewels on display.

The King appears on the balcony on his 70th birthday (Photo: MAJA SUSLIN/TT/AFP/Getty Images)

Today, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden celebrates his 70th birthday, and royals from around the world gathered for a balcony appearance, a service of thanksgiving, and a luncheon. Let's have a look at some of the daytime jewels on show...

King Carl XVI Gustaf's 70th Birthday (Nordic Museum Concert)

The King and Queen arrive at the concert (Photo: video screencap)

Tomorrow is King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden's 70th birthday, and the festivities kicked off this evening with a concert at the Nordic Museum.

April 22-29, 2016

With one birthday celebration wrapping up and another starting, this week included a number of glittering royal appearances. Be sure to vote for your favorites in the poll below!

Photo: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images

10. Princess Lalla Hasna of Morocco, the king's sister, spoke at the United Nations in New York on Friday during the ceremony for the signing of the Paris Agreement. She selected a chic, understated pair of pearl earrings for the occasion.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day (Photo: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

Five years ago today, many of us were perched in front of our televisions, watching as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said their vows in Westminster Abbey. To celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary, here's a look at ten of the most glittering and beautiful pieces of jewelry that were worn on their wedding day. (PS: looking for our weekly jewel roundup? It'll be up later today!)

Camilla Takes Wing in Hertfordshire

Camilla visits the Queen Mother Hospital for Small Animals (Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

The Duchess of Cornwall began a set of engagements on Thursday with a visit to the Queen Mother Hospital for Small Animals. Camilla was there in her role as patron of the Royal Veterinary College Animal Care Trust.

The Swedish royal family poses for a portrait before the king's birthday gala (Photo: JONAS EKSTROMER/AFP/Getty Images)

The final event of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden's 60th birthday celebrations was the most glittering: a gala dinner at the palace.

The Pearl Button Tiara

Beatrix of the Netherlands wears the Pearl Button Tiara at her inauguration (Photo: ARCHIVE/AFP/Getty Images)

Some tiaras are indelibly associated with a major event in a royal woman's life. Many of those occasions are royal weddings, but for some lucky royal ladies, they get to choose one of their tiaras to wear for their coronation ceremonies. When Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands was invested as queen, following the abdication of her mother, she chose the family's pearl button tiara.

The Dutch royal family celebrates King's Day in Zwolle (Photo: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

Today, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands celebrates his 49th birthday, and the Dutch royals gathered for the annual King's Day festivities. The celebrations were held in Zwolle this year, and there were lots of jewel-wearing royal ladies in attendance.

The Swedish royals appear on the palace balcony on King Carl XVI Gustaf's 60th birthday (Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

To continue our look back at the jewels worn during the 60th birthday celebrations for King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, we're flashing back to the daytime events from the king's birthday, including a balcony appearance and a luncheon at city hall.

Where Were the British Crown Jewels Hidden in World War II?

The British Crown Jewels, ca. 1953 (Photo: Fox Photos/Getty Images)

Camilla Tominey writes this weekend in the Express about a book which reveals the secret hiding spot where the British crown jewels were stashed during World War II. With the Germans bombing London, even the jewels's Tower of London stronghold wasn't considered to be safe enough for the priceless collection.

Princess Lilian of Sweden attends a private dinner for King Carl XVI Gustaf's 60th birthday (Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

This week, King Carl XVI Gustaf will celebrate his 70th birthday at a gathering of Europe's royals in Stockholm. To prep for Saturday's festivities -- which will be black tie, so don't expect tiaras -- we're looking back ten years to the king's 60th birthday, which was marked with three events in 2006. Today, we're rewinding to the private dinner held the night before the king's birthday.

Developments in the Koh-i-Noor Claims

A model holds a replica of the Koh-i-Noor diamond at a show in Calcutta (Photo: DESHAKALYAN CHOWDHURY/AFP/Getty Images)

Over the past few weeks, we've seen a few developments in one of the claims on the Koh-i-Noor diamond, the famous stone that originated in India and is now a part of Britain's crown jewel collection.

Kate wears the endless knot necklace in Bhutan (Photo: Heathcliff O'Malley-Pool/Getty Images)

Sonam Rabgye, the jeweler who made the endless knot necklace given by the Queen of Bhutan to the Duchess of Cambridge, has sent us an excellent close-up of the necklace's intricate pendant.

Golestan Palace in Tehran, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Photo: ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)

"The Persian Jewels"

(originally appeared in the New York Times on 25 Apr 1897)

From The New Illustrated Magazine -- Who has not heard of the Persian jewels: their glory, their number, their priceless worth? When the doors were unlocked and I was taken into the Peacock Throne Room [1], I found myself surrounded by a mass of wealth unequaled in the world. Nowhere are such treasures. But nowhere, also, is there such an accumulation of rubbish. I will, however, dismiss the rubbish, and refer only to the treasures. Down each side of the room were chairs entirely covered with sheeted gold, and at intervals were tables of gold, nailed, I shuddered to note, with the commonest of black-headed tacks!

Letizia Shines in Gold Earrings at the Palace

Queen Letizia wears gold earrings by Tous (Photo: Jose Luis Cuesta - Pool/Getty Images)

On Friday, Queen Letizia of Spain wore a stunning pair of gold earrings for two events at Zarzuela Palace in Madrid.

The Duchess of Cornwall attends Shakespeare Live in Stratford (Photo: Tristan Fewings - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

While the Spanish royals were honoring the legacy of Miguel de Cervantes, the Windsors were marking the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare, who died on the same day as Cervantes in 1616.

Kate attends the Sun Military Awards (Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

At the Sun Military Awards in December 2011, the Duchess of Cambridge stepped out in a new suite of diamond and ruby jewels. The set includes a necklace and a coordinating bracelet.

Letizia Wears Bulgari to Celebrate Cervantes

Felipe and Letizia help celebrate Miguel de Cervantes (Photo: Eduardo Parra/Getty Images)

Today is the 400th anniversary of the deaths of two literary giants: William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes. The Brits are feting Shakespeare in Stratford, as we'll see later, and Madrid, the royal are celebrating the legacy of Cervantes.

A te deum service for Prince Alexander of Sweden (Photo: kungahuset.se)

On Friday, a te deum service was held in Stockholm to give thanks for the birth of the newest member of the Swedish royal family, Prince Alexander. You can read the full program of the service here.

The Dutch Ears of Wheat Tiara (Photo: Michel Porro/Getty Images)

When you think about motifs for wedding tiaras, probably hearts and flowers and such come to mind long before you arrive at ears of wheat. But when you consider the traditional symbolism of wheat as it relates to fertility, it actually makes a bit more sense that multiple brides from the Dutch royal family have worn the family’s Ears of Wheat Tiara on their wedding days.

Tanzanites and Bathrobes as the Obamas Dine at Kensington Palace

Prince Harry and the Cambridges host President and Mrs. Obama at Kensington Palace (Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

President and Mrs. Obama capped off a day in Britain with a dinner at Kensington Palace. William, Kate, and Harry were all on hand to host.

Queen Elizabeth II wears a turquoise and diamond brooch, November 2015 (Photo: Matt Cardy-Pool/Getty Images)

Patricia Treble, royal writer at Maclean's, published an article yesterday that will be right up your alley: a birthday tribute to the brooch, the Queen's favorite accessory. The article discusses numerous pieces from the Queen's collection, including the Jardine Star Brooch worn yesterday in Windsor, the brooch from the crown ruby suite, and the Albert brooch. And, as icing on the cake, The Court Jeweller gets a few mentions here and there as well. Enjoy!

Jewels on Film: Elizabeth at 90

Last night's utterly charming new BBC documentary Elizabeth at 90 has made an appearance on YouTube, for those of you who weren't already able to view it. Note: if you're going to watch it, I'd do so quickly -- videos like these are inevitably removed soon after they're uploaded. Also of note: the BBC will be airing an extended 90-minute version of the same documentary on Sunday afternoon. Enjoy!

Aquamarine Clips for a Presidential Lunch

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh greet President Obama (Photo: JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

Following Thursday's big 90th birthday celebrations, it was back to business as usual on Friday for Queen Elizabeth II. She and the Duke of Edinburgh hosted President and Mrs. Obama of the United States for a lunch at Windsor Castle.

April 15-21, 2016

A major royal birthday was the biggest event of the week, but everyday engagements brought us quite a bit of sparkle, too. Be sure to vote for your favorites in the poll below!

Embed from Getty Images

10. On Saturday, the Countess of Wessex wore simple earrings, a pendant necklace, and a Girlguiding pin to open the organization's new headquarters in London.

Queen Elizabeth II Reaches for a Star on Her Birthday

Queen Elizabeth II greets the public in Windsor on her 90th birthday (Photo: John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom was in Windsor today, where she celebrated her milestone 90th birthday with a walkabout.

Jewels on Film: Sky News's The Queen at 90

Yesterday, Sky News ran a special report on the Queen's 90th birthday. The special includes footage from throughout her reign, plus interviews with the Duke of Cambridge and the Earl and Countess of Wessex. Enjoy!

90 Years, 90 Jewels: The Complete Series

An official portrait of the new Queen Elizabeth II, ca. 1953 (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

Happy 90th birthday to HM Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom! For the past ten days, we've gone on a historical journey through the Queen's jewelry collection, from her earliest acquisitions all the way to brand-new pieces. Here's a list of each of the posts from the series. Enjoy!

Part 1: Early Acquisitions, 1941-1947

Part 2: Wedding Gifts, November 1947

Part 3: Heirlooms of the Crown, 1948-1952

Part 4: Queen Mary's Bequest, March 1953

Part 5: Queen Mary's Bequest, March 1953

Part 6: Modern Pieces and Color, 1953-1973

Part 7: From Jubilee to Jubilee, 1973-2002

Part 8: The Queen Mother's Bequest, 2002

Part 9: Brand-New Jewels, 2002-2016

...and two bonus posts!

Unworn Pieces from the Queen Mother's Bequest

All My Tiaras: Queen Elizabeth II

All My Tiaras: Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

The Queen wears the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara (Photo: MICHAEL KAPPELER/AFP/Getty Images)

Today, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom celebrates a big milestone: her 90th birthday. We've already done a bit of royal jewel pre-partying here with our 90 Years, 90 Jewels series, but I thought we'd cap things off today with a bit of tiara fun. Here's a rundown of all of the tiaras that the Queen has worn in public. (There are also many that she owns but has not worn -- see the 90 Jewels series for many of those!) At the end, be sure to vote in our poll for your favorite tiara!

The Queen Celebrates a (Royal Mail) Milestone

The Queen in Windsor (Photo: Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The day before her 90th birthday, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom was out and about in Windsor, where she officially opened the new Alexandra Bandstand and marked the 500th anniversary of the Royal Mail delivery service.

The Delhi Durbar Tiara goes on display (Photo: Bethany Clarke/Getty Images)

For the past nine days, we've looked at ninety pieces of jewelry worn by the Queen, but of course, there are lots of pieces that we didn't discuss. Here's a look at some of them -- specifically, ten more pieces of jewelry from the Queen Mother's bequest that the Queen hasn't worn herself.

(Missed any of our 90 Years, 90 Jewels posts? Catch up here!)

The Queen wears the Modern Floral Brooch (Photo: Owen Humphreys - WPA Pool /Getty Images)

As we wrap up our nine days' historical journey through the Queen's jewelry collection, it's time to look at some of the newest additions to the royal vaults. Here are ten brooches that have been given to the Queen over the past decade, many of them to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee and the 60th anniversary of her coronation.

Missed any of our previous 90 Years, 90 Jewels posts? Catch up here: 1941-1947, November 1947, 1948-1952, March 1953, March 1953, 1953-1973, 1973-2002, and March 2002)

Kate's Endless Knot Necklace Designer Revealed

Kate wears her endless knot necklace in Bhutan (Photo: Heathcliff O'Malley-Pool/Getty Images)

Near the end of last week's royal tour of India and Bhutan, Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan gave the Duchess of Cambridge a gold necklace with an intricate pendant. People writes this week that the necklace was designed by Bhutanese jeweler Sonam Rabgye.

Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip of Sweden (Photo: Michael Campanella/Getty Images)

The palace officially announced this evening that Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia of Sweden have welcomed a son. The baby prince is the couple's first child. (Trivia fact: if the succession laws had not been changed seven months after Carl Philip's birth, this baby would be a future Swedish king.)

Shall we start our name guesses? If I had to put money on it, I'd expect to see Bertil among the names, in honor of Carl Philip's beloved great-uncle and godfather, Prince Bertil of Sweden.

Jewels on Film: Rainier and Grace's Religious Wedding

Rainier and Grace marry at Monaco's cathedral (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

Sixty years ago today, Prince Rainier III of Monaco married Hollywood actress Grace Kelly in a grand ceremony at Monaco's cathedral. The bride's wedding ensemble was made by MGM designer Helen Rose and paid for by the studio. Instead of a tiara, Grace walked down the aisle wearing a juliet cap embroidered with seed pearls and a similarly-embellished Catholic prayer book.

Thanks to the magic of the internet, we can relive the ceremony today. Enjoy!

The Queen wears the Crown Rubies in Germany (Photo: Michael Ukas - Pool /Getty Images)

The Queen's jewelry collection got another huge boost in 2002 after a sad event -- the death of the Queen Mother at the age of 101. The Queen Mum was a total jewel lover, and her jewelry box was extensive, packed with gems from the Greville bequest and her own years of collecting and receiving gifts -- plus a few heirlooms of the crown that she kept even after her daughter became monarch. Here's a look at ten of the pieces that the Queen has worn from her mother's jewelry bequest.

(Catch up on jewels #1-70 here: 1941-1947, November 1947, 1948-1952, March 1953, March 1953, 1953-1973, and 1973-2002)

Royal Jewel Rewind: Grace and Rainier's Pre-Wedding Gala

A stamp released to mark the wedding of Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Grace Kelly (Photo: STF/AFP/Getty Images)

Today is the 60th anniversary of the civil wedding celebrations of Prince Rainier III of Monaco and his American bride, Grace Kelly. After the pair's civil wedding service at the Palais Princier, a gala was held at the principality's opera house. Grace wore gala jewels, including a tiara, for the first time that evening.

The Queen wears her Pearl Trefoil Brooch in France, June 1992 (Photo: JOEL ROBINE/AFP/Getty Images)

With the jewels from her wedding gifts, the heirlooms of the crown, and Queen Mary's bequest already crowding her jewelry box, the Queen made fewer acquisitions during the next era of her reign. Even so, new pieces joined the collection at various stops along the way. Here's a look at ten pieces acquired between 1973 and 2002.

(Catch up on previous posts: 1941-1947, November 1947, 1948-1952, March 1953, March 1953, 1953-1973)

Royal Tour of India and Bhutan: Jewel Recap

A selection of earrings worn on the royal tour by Kate (see below for photo credits)

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's tour of India and Bhutan wrapped up yesterday after an eventful week of events across two nations. If you missed any of our posts on the jewels worn by Kate during the tour, here's a handy recap of our posts.

Queen Letizia attends a meeting for the Miguel de Cervantes IV Centenary (Photo: Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

She didn't make our super-packed royal jewel roundup this week, but Queen Letizia of Spain was out and about in a couple of pairs of earrings.

Queen Elizabeth II wears the George VI Sapphires with the Belgian Sapphire Tiara (Photo: Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Throughout the first two decades of her reign, the Queen's jewel collection expanded even further through a combination of gifted pieces and personal acquisitions. Here are ten of the pieces that she received throughout the '50s and '60s.

(Catch up on previous 90 Years, 90 Jewels posts: 1941-1947, November 1947, 1948-1952, March 1953, and March 1953)

Royal Tour of India and Bhutan: Visit to the Taj Mahal

William and Kate pose outside the Taj Mahal (Photo: MONEY SHARMA/AFP/Getty Images)

The final event of the Cambridges' tour of India and Bhutan was probably the most highly anticipated of all: their visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra. The grand monument is actually a mausoleum; it was built in 1653 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

William and Kate leave Bhutan (Photo: Heathcliff O'Malley-Pool/Getty Images)

William and Kate said a rainy farewell to Bhutan on Saturday morning before taking off for Agra and the Taj Mahal.

Elizabeth wears the Duchess of Cambridge's Brooch in France, 1972 (Photo: STAFF/AFP/Getty Images)

Queen Mary's jewel bequest to her granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II, was so extensive that one post wouldn't even begin to represent its breadth. Today, we're looking at ten of the brooches that the Queen inherited from her grandmother in 1953, forming a strong cornerstone to a brooch collection that is still growing today.

(Missed an earlier installment of 90 Years, 90 Jewels? Catch up here: 1941-1947, November 1947, 1948-1952, and March 1953)

Royal Tour of India and Bhutan: Reception in Thimphu

Kate attends a reception in Thimphu, Bhutan (Photo: Mark Large - Pool/Getty Images)

For an evening reception in Thimphu, Kate paired a red poppy-printed gown by Beulah with familiar earrings -- it's another outing for the Cassandra Goad Temple of Heaven girandoles.

Kate on the hike to Tiger's Nest (Photo: Mark Large - Pool/Getty Images)

For another of the outdoor events on the tour -- a six-hour long hike to Tiger's Nest, a monastery high in the mountains of Bhutan -- Kate went appropriately casual.

April 8-14, 2016

In a week with a major royal tour and a state visit, you know we've got some sparkle to discuss! This is my list of the top ten pieces of the week -- be sure to vote for your favorite in the poll below!

Photo: VIRGINIE LEFOUR/AFP/Getty Images

10. Queen Mathilde of the Belgians wore a pair of gold statement earrings on Thursday at a prize ceremony in Brussels.

Elizabeth wears Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara in Brisbane, 1957 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Only a few months before Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, her beloved grandmother, Queen Mary, died of lung cancer. Elizabeth had inherited the "heirlooms of the crown" only eleven months earlier; now, Queen Mary bequeathed her a huge cache of jewels, many of which have formed the cornerstone for her royal jewelry wardrobe throughout her reign. Here's a look at ten pieces from the Queen Mary bequest -- and stay tuned tomorrow for even more.

Need to catch up on previous posts? You can read about the jewels Elizabeth received from 1941-1947, in November 1947, and from 1948-1952. (Also, if you're looking for the weekly jewel poll, check back later today!)

Maxima Continues to Sparkle in Bavaria

Willem-Alexander and Maxima visit Nuremberg (Photo: DANIEL KARMANN/AFP/Getty Images)

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands continued their visit to Bavaria and Wednesday and Thursday, and there were jewels galore.

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