Jewels of the Diplomatic Reception 2019

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Tonight, the British royals attended the annual Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace, and the Queen brought a major jewelry surprise along with her!

Nobel Jewels 2019: Princess Madeleine

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Princess Madeleine sparkled in a favorite tiara this year for the Nobels in Stockholm. Here's a closer look at all of her jewels!

Nobel Jewels 2019: Princess Sofia

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Princess Sofia brought a delightful surprise with her to the Nobels this year -- a new setting of her tiara! Here's a look at all her jewels.

Nobel Jewels 2019: Queen Silvia

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For one of the most important royal galas of the year, the annual presentation of the Nobel Prizes, Queen Silvia of Sweden reached for major heirloom jewels. Here's a look at all the sparkle!

Nobel Jewels 2019: Crown Princess Victoria

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Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden dazzled on Tuesday evening at the annual presentation of the Nobel Prizes in Stockholm. Here's a closer look at her jewelry!

The Daily Diadem: The Modern Fringe Tiara

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Princess Madeleine of Sweden wears the Modern Fringe Tiara for the Nobel Prize Banquet, December 2003; more on the tiara over here!

Nobel Jewels: Review and Predictions

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One of the best tiara days of the year has finally arrived! This afternoon and evening, the Nobel Prizes will be awarded in Stockholm and Oslo. The Swedish celebration features the royal family dressed in grand gala jewels, photographed in wonderful detail. As we get ready for all the sparkle this evening, here's a look back at some of the recent jewels worn for the Swedish festivities.

The Daily Diadem: The Connaught Diamond Tiara

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Princess Christina, Mrs. Magnuson wears the Connaught Diamond Tiara at the Nobel Prize Banquet, December 2001; more on the tiara here!

The Best Royal Books of 2019

For our December book club post here at The Court Jeweller, I thought I'd highlight some of my very favorite royal books that were published (in the US) this year -- just in case you hadn't decided what to ask Santa to put under your tree just yet!

The Daily Diadem: The Wolfers Tiara

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Queen Mathilde of the Belgians wears the Wolfers Tiara for a banquet during the Australian visit to Brussels, June 2018; more on the tiara here!

The Swedish Diamond Arrow Brooch

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The Bernadotte jewel collection is one of the most fantastic in all of Europe, with heirloom pieces dating back centuries. Today, we're looking at one of my favorites of their brooches: their lovely diamond arrow ornament.

The Daily Diadem: The Brabant Laurel Wreath Tiara

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Queen Mathilde of the Belgians wears the Brabant Laurel Wreath Tiara for a state dinner in honor of the President of Poland, October 2004; more on the tiara over here!

The Bonaparte Olive Wreath Tiara

Princess Marie Bonaparte and her daughter, Princess Eugenie of Greece, 1953 (Photo 12/Alamy)

What do you get when you combine a classic tiara design, a renowned jeweler, and one of the most fascinating princesses of the twentieth century? The answer, of course, is today's tiara: the olive wreath diadem created by Cartier for Princess Marie Bonaparte.

The Daily Diadem: Queen Elisabeth's Art Deco Bandeau

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Queen Paola of Belgium wears Queen Elisabeth's Art Deco Bandeau at the wedding of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, May 2004; more on the tiara over here!

This Week in Royal Jewels: November 28-December 5

Before we get to the royal jewelry review this week, I've got a small request. On Thanksgiving, my family said farewell to my beloved grandfather, who lived for years with Alzheimer's disease. On the day of my grandfather's funeral, the world also lost royal biographer Robert K. Massie, whose work we've discussed here recently, and who also passed away after suffering from Alzheimer's.

Today is my birthday, and I'd like to ask you for a present. Please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer's Association, which cares for families, provides education initiatives, and supports research to treat, prevent, and ultimately cure Alzheimer's disease. I've heard from so many of you already with stories about saying the long goodbye to your own loved ones. In honor of my grandfather, as well as Robert Massie and everyone who has been touched by Alzheimer's, please consider joining me in contributing. I've set up a tribute page for donations here. 

Thank you all so much.

--Lauren

November 28-December 5, 2019

'Tis the season for diplomacy, holiday celebrations, and all the jewels that come with them. Don't forget to vote for your favorites in the poll below!

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25. On Tuesday, the Duchess of Cambridge wore sleek hoops to help children pick out Christmas trees during an event with one of her new patronages, Family Action.

The Daily Diadem: The Spanish Wedding Gift Tiara

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Queen Fabiola of Belgium wears the Spanish Wedding Gift Tiara for a gala at the Royal Palace in Brussels, January 1963; more on the tiara over here!

Jewels on Film: THE CROWN (Season 3, Episode 3)

We've got another look at the jewels and the history behind The Crown today, covering episode three, the tragic and touching "Aberfan." (Catch up on our previous recaps here!)

The Daily Diadem: Queen Astrid's Emerald Necklace Tiara

Queen Astrid of Belgium wears her convertible diamond and emerald tiara in a portrait, ca. 1920s; you can see another view of this convertible necklace, current status sadly unknown, over here!

Jewels in Motion: Philippe and Mathilde's Royal Wedding (1999)

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Twenty years ago today, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians tied the knot in Brussels. Today, we've got a look back at the wedding day -- and the wedding jewels!

The Daily Diadem: The Stockholm Pearl Tiara

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Queen Astrid of Belgium (with her brother-in-law, Prince Charles) wears the Stockholm Pearl Tiara for a private audience with Pope Pius XI at the Vatican, January 1930; the diamond and pearl tiara, made by Andersson, was Astrid's wedding gift from the people of Stockholm, and its current whereabouts are not known

Queen Mathilde's Engagement Ring

Philippe and Mathilde announce their royal engagement, September 1999 (HERWIG VERGULT/AFP via Getty Images)

Twenty years ago, the royal watchers of the world were preparing for the wedding of a future monarch. Prince Philippe, Duke of Brabant (and heir to the Belgian throne) proposed to Mathilde d'Udekem d'Acoz in September 1999, and today, we're starting our coverage of their milestone anniversary with a look at their engagement announcement -- and her engagement ring!

The Daily Diadem: Queen Elisabeth's Cartier Bandeau

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Queen Elisabeth of Belgium wears her diamond bandeau from Cartier for an official portrait, ca. 1920s; more on the tiara over here!

Royal Jewel Rewind: Nobel Prize Jewels 2014

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If you're a royal jewelry lover, December only really means one thing: it's Nobel Prize season! The awards will be distributed this year, as always, on December 10 in both Stockholm and Oslo. Today, we've got a look back at the glittering jewels worn for the Swedish ceremony five years ago.

The Daily Diadem: Queen Ena's Fleur-de-Lis Tiara

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Queen Sofia of Spain wears Queen Ena's Fleur-de-Lis Tiara with additional pieces from the joyas de pasar collection for the final state banquet of her husband's reign, June 2014; read more about the joyas here!

The Diamond Clematis Brooch

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Some of the Queen's jewels are relics of their time, while other pieces are true classics. Today's jewel, the Diamond Clematis Brooch, definitely falls into the latter category.