The Court Jeweller

Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World

This Week in Royal Jewels: October 13-19

by // Leave a Comment

October 13-19, 2017
It’s been a quieter week for royal jewels, but we’ve still got some sparkle to enjoy! Don’t forget to vote for your favorites in the poll below!
KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP/Getty Images
10. Queen Rania of Jordan wore a lovely pair of hoop earrings that resembled crescent moons for a meeting with Australia’s Governor General in Amman on Wednesday.

NICOLAS MAETERLINCK/AFP/Getty Images
9. On Tuesday, Queen Mathilde of the Belgians wore earrings with pale pink gemstone drops and her lovely sapphire and diamond ring for a visit with students at the Spermalie Hotel and Tourism School.
BENOIT DOPPAGNE/AFP/Getty Images
8. For Friday’s visit to a home health care organization, Queen Mathilde chose a pair of gold earrings with an intriguing knotted design.
Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images
7. Queen Letizia of Spain chose her Sarin earrings from Coolook for audiences at the palace in Madrid on Tuesday.
Chris Jackson – WPA Pool / Getty Images
6. For the Man Booker Prize dinner and reception in London on Tuesday, The Duchess of Cornwall wore a suite of golden jewels. The set has resided in her jewelry box for several years, and it’s often been worn on visits to India and the Middle East.
Eamonn M. McCormack – WPA Pool/Getty Images
5. Camilla chose familiar favorites for the opening of the new Sultan Nazrin Shah Centre at Worcester College Oxford on Wednesday: her diamond floral and pearl drop earrings and her four-stranded pearl choker necklace with the diamond cross clasp.
MIGUEL ROJO/AFP/Getty Images
4. At the Global Conference on Noncommunicable Diseases in Montevideo on Wednesday, Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco wore chic pearls and hoop earrings.
Dominic Lipinski – WPA Pool/Getty Images
3. On Tuesday, Queen Elizabeth II met with Honorary Lieutenant Colonel Michael Scott of the 48th Highlanders of Canada at Buckingham Palace; she wore her Diamond Clematis Brooch as well as the badge of the 48th Highlanders. (She’s their Colonel-in-Chief.)
Chris Jackson – WPA Pool/Getty Images
2. Camilla selected her diamond floral suite, which includes both a necklace and earrings, at the Royal Academy of Arts on Monday. (More over here!)
Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images
1. My first place vote of the week goes to Queen Letizia’s wonderful aquamarine chandelier earrings, which she wore for a concert during the Princess of Asturias Awards on Thursday.

Royal Jewel Rewind: Luxembourg Royal Wedding (Part 1)

by // Leave a Comment

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Five years ago tomorrow, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg married his Belgian fiancee, Countess Stephanie de Lannoy, at the Cathedral of our Lady of Luxembourg. Royals from around the world attended the ceremony, and today, we’ve got a two-part flashback to all of the sparkle. Enjoy, and stop back here later today for part two!

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Stephanie wore jewels from her own family and her new husband’s family on her wedding day. Her bridal tiara is the Lannoy family’s diamond tiara, a delicate sparkler with a large pear-shaped diamond at its center. (Learn more about the tiara’s history, and see close-ups, over here!)

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Her diamond earrings are the same ones she wore for her pre-wedding gala the night before. They were reportedly a wedding gift to Grand Duchess Maria Teresa from her parents in 1981, and they’ve now been worn by three Luxembourgish royal brides: Maria Teresa, Stephanie, and Claire.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Stephanie did suffer a slight tiara malfunction on the day. The Lannoy Tiara, which was secured to her hair at each end. Because the base wasn’t anchored in the middle, the tiara was able to flip backward. Thankfully, putting it back into position wasn’t a difficult task.

Guy Wolff/Grand-Ducal Court of Luxembourg via Getty Images

As she did at the gala the night before, Stephanie also wore a necklace hidden under the neckline of her gown. The thin chain almost certainly supports Stephanie’s Miraculous Medal pendant. (You can read more about this religious medal over here.) Stephanie is rarely seen without the necklace.

Guy Wolff/Grand-Ducal Court of Luxembourg via Getty Images

Here’s a close-up view of the simple gold wedding bands that the couple exchanged, engraved with their names and their wedding date. As she did the night before, Stephanie also wore two diamond rings: her own engagement ring and the engagement ring that belonged to her late mother.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Stephanie’s new mother-in-law, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, wore a brightly-colored ensemble by Natan for the wedding. The sparkling flower on her jacket is a part of the outfit, not a separate jewel.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

She did wear sparkling earrings for the wedding; the central stone here looks a bit like a brown diamond.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Guillaume’s sister, Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg, served as one of the bridesmaids for her new sister-in-law. She kept her jewelry extremely minimal, wearing only a pair of pearl earrings.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Another sister-in-law, Princess Tessy, wore gold and turquoise tassel earrings with her dove gray ensemble.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Here’s a good view of the details of the earrings.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Princess Sibilla of Luxembourg wore pearl and diamond sunburst cluster earrings with her bright red outfit.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

And Countess Diane de Nassau wore a vibrant set of jewels set with multicolored gemstones, including a heart pendant — appropriate for a wedding!

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Archduchess Marie-Astrid of Austria, who was born a princess of Luxembourg, wore elegant jewels, including a pearl choker with a gem-set clasp. Her earrings featured both pearl studs and pearl drops, and her insect brooch was also set with a pearl.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein, also born a princess of Luxembourg, chose diamonds and sapphires for the wedding, including a lovely pair of earrings and a whimsical brooch.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Margaretha’s sister-in-law, Princess Marie Aglae of Liechtenstein, wore a fantastic four-stranded pearl choker with a diamond floral embellishment, plus classic diamond and pearl earrings.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Queen Paola of Belgium, who is the groom’s great-aunt, glittered in diamonds and pearls. Her floral brooch featured a bright red central portion. You can also just spot a second brooch pinned to her hat.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Queen Mathilde, who was then the Duchess of Brabant, really does excel at daytime glitter. For this wedding, she wore the white and yellow diamond earrings given to her by her husband, plus the beautiful diamond waterfall brooch given to her by Queen Fabiola.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Diamond earrings with luminous pearl drops were Princess Astrid of Belgium’s main accessory — but don’t miss that enormous diamond ring on her finger!

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Simple pearl stud earrings were Princess Claire’s jewel selection for the day. The sequined flower on her lapel is part of the jacket — I suspect Natan here, too.

Grand-Ducal Court of Luxembourg via Getty Images

The always-elegant Queen Fabiola wore pearls for her great-nephew’s wedding, plus a very interesting headpiece!

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

From the Netherlands, Queen (now Princess) Beatrix piled on the diamonds, including diamond earrings, a diamond riviere, and a diamond circle brooch.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

And the ever inventive Queen (then Princess) Maxima wore pieces from Queen Wilhelmina’s fascinating Borneo Suite. The gold and diamond jewels were Wilhelmina’s coronation gift from the Sultan of Kutai in 1898. Note the earrings here, plus the brooch on Maxima’s belt.

Stay tuned later this morning for the second part of our flashback to the royal wedding in Luxembourg!

Royal Jewel Rewind: Pre-Wedding Gala in Luxembourg (Part 2)

by // Leave a Comment

Guy Wolff/Grand-Ducal Court of Luxembourg via Getty Images

Time for the second installment of our look back at the glittering pre-wedding gala held in Luxembourg five years ago! If you missed our first post, check it out here. Otherwise, get ready for some royal glitter!

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

The grand ducal family of Luxembourg and the royal family of Belgium are closely related. The late Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte was the sister of King Albert II of Belgium, which means that the current rulers of each nation are first cousins. Add in the bride’s Belgian nationality, and it’s no wonder, then, that there was a major contingent of Belgian royalty and nobility at the wedding. Queen Paola arrived wearing some of her best personal jewels, including Queen Elisabeth’s Art Deco Bandeau (more here!), her diamond and pearl half-moon earrings (more here!), and a diamond necklace.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Queen Mathilde, who was then the Duchess of Brabant, wore one of her wedding gifts: her sparkling diamond laurel wreath tiara (more over here!). She also wore her diamond and pearl wedding earrings, a diamond necklace, and a pair of diamond bracelets.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Princess Astrid wore the Savoy-Aosta Tiara, a diamond sparkler from the family of her husband, Prince Lorenz. (More on the tiara over here!) She paired it with stunning diamond and emerald drop earrings.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Also in green: Princess Claire, who wore her small diamond and pearl tiara (more on that here!) with her pearl wedding earrings.

Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

The wedding was one of the last major public appearances of Queen Fabiola of Belgium, who was a beloved aunt to both the Belgian and Luxembourgish royals. On this occasion, she accessorized with a diamond daisy ornament in her hair, plus a pair of coordinating earrings.

Guy Wolff/Grand-Ducal Court of Luxembourg via Getty Images

Belgian friends and relatives of the bride were also in attendance. Wearing an impressive diamond tiara above is Countess Blanche de Merode, a member of one of Belgium’s most important noble families. She was one of Stephanie’s witnesses at the wedding. Blanche wore the same tiara for her wedding to Baron Philipp von und zu Bodmann in 2010. (Thanks to Svenja for helping jog my memory on Blanche’s tiara — of course, some of the best coverage of this wedding can be found at Luxarazzi!)

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

One of Stephanie’s sisters-in-law, Countess Luisa de Lannoy, wore a petite diamond tiara for the gala, plus diamond earrings and a diamond brooch.

Guy Wolff/Grand-Ducal Court of Luxembourg via Getty Images

Also very elegant and sparkly: Stephanie’s sister, Nathalie Hamilton, who wore tassel earrings with a lovely diamond necklace. The Lannoys are experienced jewel-sharers; Stephanie herself has also worn the same necklace.

Grand-Ducal Court of Luxembourg via Getty Images

Stephanie has also worn the lovely diamond earrings worn by another sister, Isabelle de la Court, at the gala. Isabelle also wore a triple-stranded pearl necklace with diamond spacers, a diamond brooch, and a diamond and pearl bracelet.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

The Benelux representation at the gala was rounded out by Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, who was then still a princess. She wore pieces from one of her favorite sets of Dutch royal jewelry, the Mellerio Ruby Parure. (More here!)

Guy Wolff/Grand-Ducal Court of Luxembourg via Getty Images

We were also treated to a rare appearance by Princess Marie Aglae, the wife of Prince Hans Adam II of Liechtenstein. She wore a major pair of diamond earrings and a pearl choker with an elaborate diamond clasp.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

We’ll round out this second installment of gala jewels with a very sparkling appearance by Princess Caroline, who represented the princely family of Monaco at the event. She wore her grandmother’s fantastic Cartier Pearl Drop Tiara (more here!), her diamond fringe necklace (more here!), and diamond earrings.

We’ve got even more royals on the way in our third installment, coming in a few hours! Stay tuned!