![The Queen: A Life in Jewels](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/alifeinjewels.jpg?resize=1200%2C713&ssl=1)
The Queen traveled to nearly every country in the world during her reign, but there were some diplomatic moments that rise above all the rest—including her landmark state visit to Ireland in 2011.
![Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh arrive at Baldonnel Airport on May 17, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland. The Queen's visit, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, is the first by a monarch since 1911](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2011-0517-ireland01.jpg?resize=1200%2C1618&ssl=1)
Just weeks after their grandson’s glittering royal wedding, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh landed at Baldonnel Airport in Dublin to begin a groundbreaking state visit to the Republic of Ireland. The visit, which began on May 17, 2011, was the first by a British monarch since the coronation visit made by her grandparents, King George V and Queen Mary, in the summer of 1911. At that point, Ireland was still part of the British Empire. Today, it is an independent republic.
![Queen Elizabeth II (R) is greeted by Irish President Mary McAleese at the Aras an Uachtarain, the official residence of the President of Ireland, on May 17, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland. The Duke and Queen's visit is the first by a monarch since 1911](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2011-0517-ireland02.jpg?resize=1200%2C1460&ssl=1)
The Queen was greeted by her fellow head of state, President Mary McAleese, at the Aras an Uachtarain, the official residence of the President of Ireland in Dublin.
![Queen Elizabeth II arrives at Baldonnel Airport on May 17, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland. The Queen's visit, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, is the first by a monarch since 1911](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2011-0517-ireland03.jpg?resize=1200%2C1762&ssl=1)
For her arrival, the Queen naturally wore green, accessorized with pearls and one of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Bow Brooches.
![Queen Elizabeth II lays a wreath at Dublin Memorial Garden on May 17, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2011-0517-ireland04.jpg?resize=1200%2C1573&ssl=1)
After an outfit change, the Queen visited Dublin Memorial Garden, where she lay a wreath.
![Queen Elizabeth Il with Provost Dr. John Hegarty as she visits Trinity College Dublin on May 17, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2011-0517-ireland06.jpg?resize=1200%2C1800&ssl=1)
She also toured Trinity College Dublin, where she was shown pages from the famous Book of Kells.
![Queen Elizabeth II arrives to lay a wreath at Dublin Memorial Garden on May 17, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2011-0517-ireland05.jpg?resize=1200%2C1654&ssl=1)
Her brooch for this part of the visit was the Grima Ruby Brooch, a sentimental 1960s gift from the Duke of Edinburgh.
![Queen Elizabeth II (L) and Taoiseach of Ireland Enda Kenny talk during a visit to Government Buildings on Merrion Street on May 18, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2011-0517-ireland07.jpg?resize=1200%2C1493&ssl=1)
On May 18, the Queen met with Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny during a visit to Government Buildings on Merrion Street.
![Queen Elizabeth II lays a wreath of poppy flowers at the Irish War Memorial Garden in Islandbridge on May 18, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2011-0517-ireland08.jpg?resize=1200%2C1799&ssl=1)
She lay a wreath of poppies at the Irish War Memorial Garden in Islandbridge.
![Queen Elizabeth II (R) and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh watch a pint of Guinness being poured as they visit the Guinness Storehouse on May 18, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2011-0517-ireland09.jpg?resize=1200%2C1802&ssl=1)
And she and the Duke took a tour of the famous Guinness Storehouse, where they watched the professionals pour a perfect pint of Guinness.
![Queen Elizabeth II visits the Guinness Storehouse on May 18, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2011-0517-ireland10.jpg?resize=1200%2C1768&ssl=1)
The Queen’s brooch choice for the start of day two of the visit also had sentimental family ties. These diamond and aquamarine clip brooches were an 18th birthday gift from her father, King George VI.
![Irish President Mary McAleese, Queen Elizabeth II and Christy Cooney arrive at Croke Park on May 18, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2011-0517-ireland11.jpg?resize=1200%2C1585&ssl=1)
One of the most important moments of the state visit was a stop at Croke Park, the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (and the site of a massacre perpetrated by British troops in 1920). The visit was one of many opportunities taken by the Queen to make some amends for historical wrongs during the trip. GAA President Christy Cooney, pictured here with the Queen and President McAleese, told the monarch that her decision to visit the stadium would help to advance the peace process.
![Queen Elizabeth II arrives at Croke Park on May 18, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2011-0517-ireland12.jpg?resize=1200%2C1602&ssl=1)
For the Croke Park visit, the Queen wore pearls with the Australian Wattle Brooch. Australia is another nation where Gaelic sports are still played regularly today.
![Queen Elizabeth II, Irish President Mary McAleese, Dr. Martin McAleese and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh attend a State Dinner at Dublin Castle, on May 18, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2011-0517-ireland13.jpg?resize=1200%2C1800&ssl=1)
That evening, the Queen and the Duke were guests of honor at a state dinner hosted by President McAleese and Dr. Martin McAleese at Dublin Castle.
![Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (C) delivers her speech next to Irish President Mary McAleese (R), British Prime Minister David Cameron (2R) and Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny (L) at a state dinner in Saint Patrick's Hall at Dublin Castle in Dublin on May 18, 2011](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2011-0517-ireland14.jpg?resize=1200%2C1535&ssl=1)
The Queen gave an important and memorable speech during the dinner, addressing her guests in Irish and touching on the deep hurts of the past. “We can never forget those who have died or been injured, and their families,” she said. “To all those who have suffered as a consequence of our troubled past I extend my sincere thoughts and deep sympathy. With the benefit of historical hindsight we can all see things which we would wish had been done differently or not at all.”
![Queen Elizabeth II makes a speech as she attends the State Dinner on the second day of her State Visit, at Dublin Castle, on May 18, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2011-0517-ireland15.jpg?resize=1200%2C1525&ssl=1)
For the dinner, the Queen wore diamonds, including several pieces of jewelry that belonged to Queen Mary, the last British queen consort to visit Ireland. The jewels included the Girls of Great Britain & Ireland Tiara, the Diamond Floret Earrings, and the Modern Fringe Necklace. Her gown also featured another special embellishment: a Celtic harp made of crystals, another nod to her hosts.
![Queen Elizabeth II visits the Irish National Stud on May 19, 2011 in Kildare, Ireland](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2011-0517-ireland16.jpg?resize=1200%2C1790&ssl=1)
There were more brooches over the next two days as well. For a visit to the Irish National Stud in Kildare, an equestrian moment that was surely a personal highlight for the Queen, she wore Prince Albert’s Brooch.
![Queen Elizabeth II arrives at the Convention Centre Dublin for an evening of British and Irish music and fashion on May 19, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2011-0517-ireland17.jpg?resize=1200%2C1567&ssl=1)
For a special reception highlighting British and Irish culture at Dublin’s Convention Center on the evening of day three, she wore pearls with a gift she had received during the visit: the Newgrange Brooch, a gift from President McAleese.
![Queen Elizabeth II takes part in a historic first walk-about as she meets members of the public after visiting the English Market on May 20, 2011 in Cork, Ireland](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecourtjeweller.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2011-0517-ireland18.jpg?resize=1200%2C1700&ssl=1)
And on the final day of the visit, the Queen finally brought out a gleaming emerald. For a visit to Cork, she sported the Cambridge Emerald Cluster Brooch (without its pendant).
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.