Saturday, July 28, 2012

HM's Diamond Olympics Spectacular

Well Her Majesty certainly made my night! Not only did she make her first cameo acting debut (best thing I've ever seen), and 'jumped' out of a helicopter, she also won in my fashion stakes. Watching the 1999 royal wedding of Edward and Sophie, The Queen wore what was confirmed as one of my favourite outfits.


Oh Lilibet, you really do spoil me. She's gone back, if only for a night, to those days of old full of feathery splendour!!


Sunday, July 15, 2012

The Greville Chandelier Earrings


From my new blog- http://thewindsorjewels.blogspot.com

In 1929, Mrs Greville, a British society hostess, ordered these striking earrings from Cartier in London. When she passed in 1942, Mrs Greville bequeathed her gems to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother- god bless her. Each earring is made up of 16 diamonds of varying cuts- pear shaped, half-moon, square, trapeze, baguette, baton and emerald-cut.


When Princess Elizabeth married Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, these earrings were giving to the young bridge as a wedding present from her parents. The Queen wore these earrings quite frequently in the early years of her reign, but now she prefers to wear pearl ones during formal occasions instead. 


Pictures: The Royal Collection

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

The Diamond Jubilee Tour: Hereford and Worcester

The Queen and Prince Philip visited Herefordshire and Worcestershire as part of their Diamond Jubilee Tour. First they visited Hereford cathedral, arriving on a steam train. HM wore a pink tweed coat with a matching hat, and began her visit by unveiling a plaque at Hereford's 12th century cathedral.




The royal party attended the Diamond Day event at the King George V Playing Field before arriving at Worcester. They opened a library called 'The Hive' and went on a royal walkabout. Now the couple will travel to Birmingham as part of their tour.

Pictures: BBC/Daily Mail

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

My New Blog- All the Queen's Jewels

A blog which will hopefully study the extensive jewel collection of the House of Windsor, featuring pieces from necklaces to earrings to tiaras. Enjoy!

http://thewindsorjewels.blogspot.com.au/

Monday, July 9, 2012

The King Faisal Necklace

From my new blog- thewindsorjewels.blogspot.com


The King of Saudi Arabia, Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, gave this necklace as a gift to the Queen in 1967. It is designed in a fringe style, with baguette cut and brilliant diamonds. The Queen wore the necklace at a banquet held in the Queen’s honour in the Dorchester Hotel by King Faisal, who was in Britain for a State Visit. The Queen also lent the tiara to Diana, Princess of Wales, who wore it during a tour of Australia in 1983.

It does, in some ways resemble the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara, with its alternating fringe. It is dainty, almost tiny compared to the Russian Kokoshnik Tiara in the picture below, but is very elegant as well. 

Pictures: Chez Chiara/dianasjewels.net

Sunday, July 1, 2012

The Tribute to Bomber Command

The Queen and other members of the Royal Family attended the unveiling of the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park. The Royals who attended were: The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke of York, The Earl and Countess of Wessex, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent.

It was a poignant service, as a mass was held after the Queen unveiled the memorial (which took her two attempts). A flypast followed, where a thousand poppies were dropped.





Left to Right: The Duchess of Cornwall and the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Kent, the Earl and Countess of Wessex


Left to Right: The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, the Duke of York

Pictures: The Daily Mail, The Press Association, The Daily Telegraph

The Diamond Jubilee Tour: Enniskillen

Landing in Enniskillen in a helicopter, QE and Prince Philip attended a service for the first time in a Roman Catholic church in Ireland. Dressed in a wonderful blue outfit, embellished with snowflake-like lace. The royal motorcade drove down the bunting-decked main street, lined with thousands of cheering people. She then attended the Irish-themed thanksgiving service at St. Macartin's Cathedral.


 




Pictures: Zimbio/Belfast Times

The Diamond Jubilee Tour: Belfast

Now let's all look at the more joyous celebrations in Northern Ireland for QE's Diamond Jubilee.

The Queen and Prince Philip drove through the Stormont Estate in Belfast, in what was a lovely sight as they stood from the car surrounded by thousands of well-wishers. Reminded me a lot of the pope-mobile! She also visited the Titanic Centre and the Lyric Theatre.




Pictures- Zimbio

The Diamond Jubilee Tour: Northern Ireland- Martin McGuiness


We've all heard about that historic handshake between the Queen and Martin McGuiness. A meeting between the Commander in Chief of British Forces, and the former IRA leader accused of orchestrating the death of Louis Mountbatten. Mountbatten was widely considered a member of the Royal Family, and was a stand-in grandfather of Prince Charles, a cousin of the Queen and Prince Philip's uncle. He and members of his family were assassinated by a bomb blast whilst holidaying in Northern Ireland. The bomb exploded under the floorboards of his boat on August 27, 1979. 


This is a fascinating documentary of Mountbatten's death, and includes a touching interview with his grandson, Timothy Knatchbull, who was on the boat as the bomb exploded. He says that he was invited to stay with the Queen at Balmoral as he recovered, and she welcomed him with 'motherly love.'


I think that the Queen showed great courage and dignity as she met Martin McGuiness, setting aside personal loss and tragedy as head of state. She is always willing to forgive and reconcile, and is the epitome of grace and peace.

Picture: The Daily Record