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Group photograph from the king's birthday gala (Photo: Peter Knutson/Kungahuset.se) |
Bringing you sparkling heirloom jewels of royal and noble families from across the globe
30 April 2016
King Carl XVI Gustaf's 70th Birthday (Evening Gala)
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King Carl XVI Gustaf's 70th Birthday (Te Deum and Lunch)
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The King appears on the balcony on his 70th birthday (Photo: MAJA SUSLIN/TT/AFP/Getty Images) |
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29 April 2016
King Carl XVI Gustaf's 70th Birthday (Nordic Museum Concert)
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The King and Queen arrive at the concert (Photo: video screencap) |
This Week in Royal Jewels: April 22-29
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!
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Photo: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images |
10 of the Best Jewels from William and Kate's Royal Wedding
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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!)
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28 April 2016
Camilla Takes Wing in Hertfordshire
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Camilla visits the Queen Mother Hospital for Small Animals (Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images) |
Royal Jewel Rewind: King Carl XVI Gustaf's 60th Birthday (Gala Dinner)
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The Swedish royal family poses for a portrait before the king's birthday gala (Photo: JONAS EKSTROMER/AFP/Getty Images) |
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27 April 2016
The Pearl Button Tiara
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Beatrix of the Netherlands wears the Pearl Button Tiara at her inauguration (Photo: ARCHIVE/AFP/Getty Images) |
King's Day Jewels 2016
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The Dutch royal family celebrates King's Day in Zwolle (Photo: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images) |
Royal Jewel Rewind: King Carl XVI Gustaf's 60th Birthday (City Hall Luncheon)
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The Swedish royals appear on the palace balcony on King Carl XVI Gustaf's 60th birthday (Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images) |
26 April 2016
Where Were the British Crown Jewels Hidden in World War II?
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The British Crown Jewels, ca. 1953 (Photo: Fox Photos/Getty Images) |
Royal Jewel Rewind: King Carl XVI Gustaf's 60th Birthday (Private Dinner)
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Princess Lilian of Sweden attends a private dinner for King Carl XVI Gustaf's 60th birthday (Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images) |
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25 April 2016
Developments in the Koh-i-Noor Claims
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A model holds a replica of the Koh-i-Noor diamond at a show in Calcutta (Photo: DESHAKALYAN CHOWDHURY/AFP/Getty Images) |
A Closer Look at Kate's Endless Knot Necklace
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Kate wears the endless knot necklace in Bhutan (Photo: Heathcliff O'Malley-Pool/Getty Images) |
Jewel History: The Persian Jewels (1897)
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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!
24 April 2016
Letizia Shines in Gold Earrings at the Palace
Charles and Camilla Celebrate Shakespeare
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The Duchess of Cornwall attends Shakespeare Live in Stratford (Photo: Tristan Fewings - WPA Pool/Getty Images) |
Kate's Jewelry Box: The Mouawad Ruby and Diamond Demi-Parure
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Kate attends the Sun Military Awards (Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images) |
23 April 2016
Letizia Wears Bulgari to Celebrate Cervantes
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Felipe and Letizia help celebrate Miguel de Cervantes (Photo: Eduardo Parra/Getty Images) |
Te Deum for Prince Alexander
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A te deum service for Prince Alexander of Sweden (Photo: kungahuset.se) |
The Dutch Ears of Wheat Tiara
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The Dutch Ears of Wheat Tiara (Photo: Michel Porro/Getty Images) |
22 April 2016
Tanzanites and Bathrobes as the Obamas Dine at Kensington Palace
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Prince Harry and the Cambridges host President and Mrs. Obama at Kensington Palace (Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images) |
Patricia Treble Talks Royal Brooches
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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
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The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh greet President Obama (Photo: JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images) |
This Week in Royal Jewels: April 15-21
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!
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.
21 April 2016
Queen Elizabeth II Reaches for a Star on Her Birthday
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Queen Elizabeth II greets the public in Windsor on her 90th birthday (Photo: John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images) |
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
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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 4: Queen Mary's Bequest, March 1953
Part 5: Queen Mary's Bequest, March 1953
Part 8: The Queen Mother's Bequest, 2002
Part 9: Brand-New Jewels, 2002-2016
...and two bonus posts!
All My Tiaras: Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
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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!
20 April 2016
The Queen Celebrates a (Royal Mail) Milestone
90 Years, 90 Jewels: Bonus Jewels!
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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!)
90 Years, 90 Jewels: Part 9 (2002-2016)
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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)
19 April 2016
Kate's Endless Knot Necklace Designer Revealed
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Kate wears her endless knot necklace in Bhutan (Photo: Heathcliff O'Malley-Pool/Getty Images) |
A New Prince in Sweden
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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
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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!
90 Years, 90 Jewels: Part 8 (March 2002)
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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)
18 April 2016
Royal Jewel Rewind: Grace and Rainier's Pre-Wedding Gala
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A stamp released to mark the wedding of Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Grace Kelly (Photo: STF/AFP/Getty Images) |
90 Years, 90 Jewels: Part 7 (1973-2002)
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)
17 April 2016
Royal Tour of India and Bhutan: Jewel Recap
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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's Week in Earrings
90 Years, 90 Jewels: Part 6 (1953-1973)
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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)
16 April 2016
Royal Tour of India and Bhutan: Visit to the Taj Mahal
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William and Kate pose outside the Taj Mahal (Photo: MONEY SHARMA/AFP/Getty Images) |
Royal Tour of India and Bhutan: Departure from Paro
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William and Kate leave Bhutan (Photo: Heathcliff O'Malley-Pool/Getty Images) |
90 Years, 90 Jewels: Part 5 (March 1953)
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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)
15 April 2016
Royal Tour of India and Bhutan: Reception in Thimphu
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Kate attends a reception in Thimphu, Bhutan (Photo: Mark Large - Pool/Getty Images) |
Royal Tour of India and Bhutan: Hike to Tiger's Nest
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Kate on the hike to Tiger's Nest (Photo: Mark Large - Pool/Getty Images) |
This Week in Royal Jewels: April 8-14
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!
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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.
90 Years, 90 Jewels: Part 4 (March 1953)
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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!)
14 April 2016
Maxima Continues to Sparkle in Bavaria
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Willem-Alexander and Maxima visit Nuremberg (Photo: DANIEL KARMANN/AFP/Getty Images) |