The Court Jeweller

Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World

Jewels on Film: The Queen’s Diamond Decades

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Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after her coronation (Photo: STF/AFP/Getty Images)
As we continue our countdown to Friday’s release of The Crown on Netflix, here’s another look at the early life of Queen Elizabeth II on film…

This first part of The Queen’s Diamond Decades focuses on the 1950s, as she took the throne and began her reign. You can watch the episode above; the rest of the series is also currently available on YouTube.
Thinking ahead to our coverage of The Crown, I’m planning a separate recap/jewel post for each of the ten episodes of the series. Although the entire series will be released on Friday, I’m planning to stagger these, perhaps with a post each Monday. What do you all think — even if you’re binge-watching the entire series in one go, do weekly posts make as much sense to you as they do to me?

Colombian Visit to the UK: State Banquet

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Colombian state banquet at Buckingham Palace (Photo: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)

Today’s state visit from Colombia to the United Kingdom continues with a lavish state banquet at Buckingham Palace.

Photo: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images

The Queen wore the same jewels she wore at the Buck House banquet last year for the Chinese president: the Belgian Sapphire Tiara with the suite of sapphire jewels she received from her father, King George VI. The tiara was originally a necklace worn by Princess Louise of Belgium; the Queen purchased the piece in the 1960s and has always worn it on a tiara frame. HM also wears the grand collar and star of her highest Colombian order: the Order of the Cross of Boyaca. She left off her two family orders (the George V and George VI).

The Duchess of Cornwall was the second-highest-ranking royal lady at the banquet. She wore her standard gala jewels: the Greville Tiara and a multi-stranded pearl necklace with a diamond clasp. For a twist, she added the elaborate earrings from her suite of pear-shaped diamond jewels. A diamond bracelet glittered on her left wrist. Because Camilla doesn’t have a Colombian order, she wore the sash and star her highest British order: the Royal Victorian Order. Queen Elizabeth II’s family order was also pinned to her gown.

The order of procession for tonight’s banquet also included the Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Alexandra, but alas, no good photos of them available for me to use at the moment. I’ll update that if things change! For now: you can see Alexandra wearing a tiara and her Garter sash in the background of the procession photo above.

Photo: DOMINIC LIPINSKI/AFP/Getty Images

Update: We’ve got a (blurry) view of the Duchess of Gloucester! That’s her in the middle of the photo, wearing a dark red dress and the sash of the RVO. I believe the silhouette of her tiara suggests that it’s the Iveagh — more’s the pity, then, that we don’t have a better view!

Colombian Visit to the UK: Welcome Ceremonies

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The Duke of Edinburgh, First Lady Maria Clemencia Rodriguez, Queen Elizabeth II, and President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia at Buckingham Palace (Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images)

President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia and his wife, Maria Clemencia Rodriguez, began a state visit to the United Kingdom today with the traditional welcome ceremonies.

Photo: CHRIS JACKSON/AFP/Getty Images

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were on hand to greet the couple at their suite in London.

Photo: CHRIS JACKSON/AFP/Getty Images

Camilla wore diamond and pearl earrings with her diamond Prince of Wales Feather brooch, worn with its distinctive emerald drop. (Colombia is famous for its emeralds, something Camilla knows first-hand after her visit there a few years ago. Perhaps a subtle tribute?) Because November has officially begun, Camilla used the brooch to secure her Remembrance poppy. The paper poppies are distributed by the Royal British Legion and worn in the days leading up to Remembrance Sunday.

Photo: CHRIS JACKSON/AFP/Getty Images

Here’s a closer look at the bracelets and rings that Camilla wore, including her stunning diamond engagement ring (which we recently discussed here).

Photo: STEFAN WERMUTH/AFP/Getty Images

The visiting couple then traveled to meet with Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh at Horse Guards Parade.

Photo: Gareth Fuller – WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Queen wore a brooch made of golden flowers studded with rubies and diamonds.

Photo: STEFAN WERMUTH/AFP/Getty Images

And then, it was time for the Brits to show off one of the things they do best: pomp and circumstance. The Queen joined President Santos for a carriage ride down the Mall to Buckingham Palace.

Photo: John Stillwell – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Inside the palace, the Queen did an outfit-and-brooch switcharoo before a presentation of items from the Royal Collection. The RC staff always puts together a number of pieces from their holdings with connections to the visiting country.

Photo: John Stillwell – WPA Pool/Getty Images

For this part of the state visit, the Queen chose one of her more controversial, modern pieces: the Grima Ruby Brooch.

Stay tuned for state banquet coverage later today. Any guesses on tiaras/jewels?