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Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World

The Best Royal Jewels of 2019: #1 (The Japanese Imperial Enthronement)

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And now, for the sparkliest royal jewelry moment of the year…
#1: The Japanese Imperial Enthronement

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We witnessed a once-in-a-generation series of celebrations in Japan this year, as Emperor Akihito celebrated thirty years on the Chrysanthemum throne, and then abdicated in favor of his son, Emperor Naruhito.
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A new imperial era dawned in May, when Emperor Naruhito officially ascended to the throne. He made his first speech as emperor in Tokyo in front of Empress Masako and the rest of the imperial family.
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Empress Masako made her first appearance in the Meiji Tiara, an heirloom reserved for the use of the Japanese empress.
TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/Getty Images
And her sister-in-law, Crown Princess Kiko, wore the family’s crown princely diamond parure for the first time as well.
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A few days later, the imperial family greeted the public from the palace balcony, with brooches and pearls the empress and princesses.
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Shortly afterward, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako hosted their first state visit, and Masako brought out a fantastic gold and diamond necklace during the state banquet.
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In October, we marveled at the pageantry at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo as Emperor Naruhito was officially enthroned.
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The entire imperial family wore incredible ceremonial attire during the enthronement rite.
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And the numerous royals attending the ceremonies brought jewels with them from around the globe.
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That night, the imperial family hosted the first of a series of enthronement banquets for their guests. Empress Masako was dripping in diamonds…
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…and the foreign royal guests brought along their very best tiaras, too!
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In November, the festivities concluded with one more magnificent moment: a parade through the streets of Tokyo. Empress Masako again wore the heirloom diamonds of Japanese empresses. What an incredible imperial year it’s been!

Glittering Jewels for Empress Masako in Japan

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Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan continued their enthronement celebrations with a grand party and parade in Tokyo this weekend, and Masako wore gorgeous jewels for the occasion.

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The public celebrations were held at the entrance to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Saturday evening, and the imperial couple watched from a raised platform on a nearby bridge. The national festival included marching bands, regional festival dancers, musicians, and even a boy band (!).

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Naruhito and Masako raised a pair of illuminated lanterns during the festivities.

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Masako kept warm in a chic white coat during the celebrations.

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She also reached for classic accessories: a pair of button-style pearl and diamond cluster earrings.

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On Sunday, the imperial couple departed from the palace for the enthronement parade. The parade had originally been scheduled to take place during the rest of the enthronement festivities in October, but it was postponed following the destruction of Typhoon Hagibis. They were joined by Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko for the parade. (You can see a photo of the crown princely couple here — Kiko wore the crown princely diamond parure for the occasion.)

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Empress Masako wore the jewels and dress that she previously wore in October for the first enthronement banquet. (See those images here!)

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Her tiara, the Meiji Tiara, is the most important Western-style heirloom diadem in the Japanese imperial vaults. She also wore diamond earrings and an impressive diamond necklace.

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We also caught a glimpse of a diamond bracelet on her left wrist during the parade. Fantastic!