opening of parliament

Prinsjesdag Jewels 2016

09.21.2016 by The Court Jeweller // Leave a Comment

Prinsjesdag 2016 (Photo: SANDER KONING/AFP/Getty Images)

On Tuesday, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands attended the annual opening of parliament in The Hague. The event is one that features a bit of pomp and circumstance, albeit with a daytime twist.

Photo: REMKO DE WAAL/AFP/Getty Images

The dress code for the event is morning dress — the daytime equivalent of evening formal wear — which means that the men (including the king) wear a morning coat, a waistcoat, and striped trousers, while the women wear long gowns with hats. This year, Queen Maxima wore a vivid gown that featured a royal blue blouse and an elaborate embroidered gold and navy skirt. She also wore one of her trademark hats: an exaggerated, architectural piece that sits at a dramatic angle.

Photo: KOEN VAN WEEL/AFP/Getty Images

With her sapphire-colored gown, Maxima wore some of the family’s grandest sapphire jewels. Her earrings are the elaborate figure-eight-shaped diamond and sapphire earrings. They were made in the early 1960s using stones from the dismantled tiara from Queen Wilhelmina’s wedding gift parure, and they’re part of the family’s jewel foundation.

Photo: KOEN VAN WEEL/AFP/Getty Images

On her right hand, Maxima wore the large diamond ring that she received from Willem-Alexander after the birth of their third daughter, Princess Ariane. The ring features an impressive emerald-cut diamond flanked by two smaller diamonds.

Photo: FRANK VAN BEEK/AFP/Getty Images

The absolute jewelry showstopper of the day was the brooch that Maxima pinned to the waist of her gown (and over the top of the sash of the Order of the Netherlands Lion): the stunning diamond and sapphire corsage ornament that once belonged to Queen Wilhelmina. The sapphire in the center of the brooch may have an even longer legacy — it’s possible that it once belonged to Queen Anna, the Romanov-born wife of King Willem II.

Photo: KOEN VAN WEEL/AFP/Getty Images

The only other senior members of the royal family who attend Prinsjesdag these days are the king’s brother, Prince Constantijn, and his wife, Princess Laurentien. Her diamond chandelier earrings are of particular interest, because they’re generally thought to belong personally to Queen Maxima. Perhaps they were a sister-in-law loan for the day? Laurentien also secured the sash of the Order of the House of Orange with a jewel from the family collection: the diamond moth brooch.

Jewel Detective: State Opening of Parliament ’32

07.07.2016 by The Court Jeweller // Leave a Comment

Peeresses attending the State Opening of Parliament, 1932 (Photo: Fox Photos/Getty Images)

Here’s a fun jewel puzzle for your Thursday morning! These aristocratic, tiara-wearing women are waiting outside the Houses of Parliament following the state opening in 1932.

Photo: Fox Photos/Getty Images

Getty Images doesn’t identify any of the women in the top photo; in this one, they note that Lady Pamela Smith, the Countess of Jersey, and the Countess of Birkenhead are among the group pictured. Below, I’ve provided close-ups of all of the tiara-wearers in these great photos. Today, your challenge is to try to identify any of the gorgeous tiaras (or aristocratic women) pictured! (And, remember, as with all of these jewel detective posts, there’s no answer key — I’m researching these along with you!)

Photo: Fox Photos/Getty Images

And here, you can get a glimpse of Queen Mary wearing the Delhi Durbar Tiara during the procession to the state opening in the same year…

State Opening of Parliament: May 2016

05.19.2016 by The Court Jeweller // Leave a Comment

The Queen at the State Opening of Parliament (Photo: Justin Tallis – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

It’s that time of year again, everybody: yesterday, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom officially opened parliament, which means glittering jewels galore! Here’s a look at some of the pieces we saw on display.

Photo: Richard Pohle – WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Queen always wears the George IV Diamond Diadem on her way to and from parliament. This year, she paired it with two pieces of jewelry from Queen Victoria: her pearl drop earrings and her Golden Jubilee Necklace.

Photo: Arthur Edwards – WPA Pool/Getty Images

For the actual opening itself, the Queen always wears the Imperial State Crown. The event always gives us great views of this important piece of the crown jewel collection. Above, you can see both the Black Prince’s Ruby (actually a spinel) and the 317-carat Cullinan II Diamond.

Photo: TOBY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images

A view of the back of the crown shows us the Stuart Sapphire, which weighs 104 carats, and pearls that supposedly belonged to Queen Elizabeth I (suspended beneath the crown’s arches).

Photo: TOBY MELVILLE/AFP/Getty Images

And, just for kicks, here’s a look at the top of the crown as well.

For more on the Imperial State Crown, here’s a tour of the piece by the wearer herself!

Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

In recent years, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have also attended the state opening — which I love, because we get another chance to see Camilla absolutely rock major jewels. This year, she wore her go-to tiara — the Greville Tiara, part of the collection of the late Queen Mum — with her pearl and diamond earrings and her pearl choker necklace with the round diamond clasp.