The Court Jeweller

Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World

Coronation Jewels in Thailand

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A weekend-long series of coronation festivities were held recently in Bangkok for King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand and his new consort, Queen Suthida. Here’s a brief look at a few of the jewels worn for the various ceremonies.

Public Relations Department of Thailand via Getty Images

On Friday, the King (who is also known at King Rama X) wore the magnificent Great Crown of Victory, one of the most important pieces of royal regalia in Thailand. The golden diadem is decorated with colorful enamel and studded with diamonds. The massive crown weighs sixteen pounds, and it is only worn by the monarch once, when he puts it on during his coronation.

THAI TV POOL/AFP/Getty Images

After the complicated coronation rituals were completed, the King held a general audience in the throne room for prominent officials and members of the royal family.

THAI TV POOL/AFP/Getty Images

At the end of this audience comes the traditional installation of the queen. The King’s new wife, Queen Suthida, was anointed by her husband and presented with new chivalric insignia. In the image above, the King places the sash of the Order of the Nine Gems on the Queen. (During the festivities, the King’s first wife, Princess Soamsawali, also received the same order; his sisters, Princess Sirindhorn and Princess Chulabhorn, had previously received it.)

THAI TV POOL/AFP/Getty Images

Here’s a look at the members of the royal family who gathered during the coronation audience. From the left, we’ve got Prince Dipangkorn, who is currently his father’s heir. (Dipangkorn is the son of the King’s third wife, the former Princess Srirasmi. The King’s four older sons, who were all born during his second marriage, were disowned in 1996.) Next is Princess Sirivannavari, the only daughter from his second marriage. Beside her is Princess Bajrakitiyabha, the only child from the King’s marriage to his first wife, Princess Soamsawali. Next is Princess Ubolratana, the king’s elder sister, who recently made headlines when she attempted to run for Prime Minister. (Her candidacy was later withdrawn.) The king’s younger sister, the popular Princess Sirindhorn, is next, followed by Queen Suthida.

THAI TV POOL/AFP/Getty Images

More coronation festivities followed on Saturday and Sunday, culminating in a grand public audience on the balcony of the Suddhaisavarya Prasad Hall of the Grand Palace.

Jes Aznar/Getty Images

Queen Suthida wore gorgeous girandole earrings for the public audience, as well as the distinctive yellow sash and golden collar of the Order of the Royal House of Chakri.

JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images

The King and Queen were joined on the balcony by three of the King’s children: Princess Bajrakitiyabha, Princess Sirivannavari, and Prince Dipangkorn.

JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images

You’ll note here that the king’s children also received an order upgrade during the weekend. On Friday, the princesses wore the pale pink sash of the Order of Chula Chom Klao, but on Saturday, all three of them received the Order of the Royal House of Chakri. They wore their new insignia on the balcony on Sunday.

Costume Jewels: The Met Gala 2019

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ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images
On Monday evening, stars gathered in New York for the annual Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion,” meant that the jewels and fashion would be especially inventive and unusual, and lots of the lucky attendees majorly delivered!

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We’ll start off by carefully dipping our toes into the campy jewelry waters, marveling at these geometric girandole-style emerald and diamond earrings worn by Amber Valletta
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Zoe Kravitz also jumped on the girandole train, wearing a very modern pair with pearl pendants
ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images
Janet Mock paired lacy silver-toned earrings with her feathery look
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Vivid orange statement earrings made a citrus-y pairing with Gwyneth Paltrow’s yellow gown
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Marina Rust paired these bright green and blue baubles with a coordinating cocktail ring
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Statement necklaces were everywhere on this year’s red carpet, including this gem-studded stunner worn by Lilly Singh
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Jennifer Lopez went for a disco queen look, complete with a diamond and purple sapphire pendant necklace from Harry Winston
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Taylor Hill wore cascading rows of diamonds in necklace and earring form
Andrew Toth/Getty Images for The Mark Hotel
For Ariana Rockefeller, a woven net of diamonds was a dazzling choice
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Lots of us will undoubtedly be green with envy at the sight of Ciara’s electrifying diamond and emerald jewels
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But, much to my delight, it was the headpieces and tiaras that really stole the show at this year’s gala, including this pink bandeau on Deepika Padukone
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Emily Blunt went for an arts-and-crafts-esque headpiece, pairing it with modern diamonds
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Ruth Negga glowed in a gold and diamond floral diadem
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Silver-toned flowers and leaves were more Dakota Johnson’s speed
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
And Salma Hayek reached for a golden headpiece that would have looked right at home on an ancient Olympian
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Gal Gadot was a wonder in tassels and theatrical pearls
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Joan Collins, a camp icon all by herself, accessorized with more traditional glittering accessories
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
But the theatrical headpieces, including this leafy golden piece of art worn by Julia Garner, were even more popular with this year’s attendees
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Perhaps the most dazzling headpiece — and overall look — belonged to Gemma Chan
Andrew Toth/Getty Images for The Mark Hotel
The royal jewel lovers among us, however, will probably most appreciate Kiki Layne’s fantastic royal jewelry tribute, rendered in appliques instead of diamonds. (It’s actually sort of a combination of that famous French necklace and one displayed in the recent landmark Cartier exhibition!)