Month: November 2021

Kingdom of Barbados becomes a Republic

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The Prince of Wales is in Barbados to attend the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony to mark Barbados’ transition from a Kingdom to a Republic within the Commonwealth, following almost four centuries of rule by a British Monarch. Barbados is not the first Commonwealth Realm to become a Republic. Since the start of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth II, she has been removed as Queen of 18 Nations, almost always peacefully. She remains Queen of 15 Commonwealth Realms. The Prince has been invited to the Ceremony in his role as the future Head of the Commonwealth. Continue reading →

Princess de Réthy’s Köchert Emerald Brooch

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Today marks the 105th Anniversary of the Birth of Princess Lilian of Belgium, Princess of Réthy, who was born on this day in 1916! The commoner who controversially married the widowed King Leopold III of Belgium in house arrest during the Second World War, Princess Lilian was the beloved stepmother to Grand Duchess Joséphine Charlotte of Luxembourg, King Baudouin and King Albert II of Belgium, and as the First lady, but not Queen of Belgium, for almost two decades, possessed a spectacular Jewellery Collection, which included this Köchert Emerald Brooch! Continue reading →

Grand Duchess Victoria Melita’s Emerald Tiara

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Today marks the 145th Anniversary of the Death of Princess Victoria Melita of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg and Gotha | Grand Duchess Victoria Feodorovna of Russia, who was born on this day in 1876! The daughter of a British Prince and Russian Grand Duchess who became the Sovereigns of the illustrious German Duchy, she first married the Grand Duke of Hesse and then Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich, who became the Russian Tsar in exile. Grand Duchess Victoria Melita lived a fascinating life and possessed a plethora of important jewels, so today we are featuring her splendid Emerald Tiara! Continue reading →

Spanish State Visit to Sweden

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King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden are hosting King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain on their State Visit to Sweden from November 23rd to the 25th, to celebrate and build diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties in the first Spanish State Visit to Sweden in over 40 years. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and King Felipe VI of Spain are both descended through Queen Victoria from their respective grandmother, Crown Princess Margareta of Sweden, and great-grandmother, Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain.

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Hesse Emerald Brooch

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Today marks the 20th Anniversary of the Death of Princess Sophie of Greece and Hannover, who died on this day in 2001! The sister of the late Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Sophie was married first to Prince Christoph of Hesse and then after his untimely death during the Second World War, married Prince George William of Hanover, being a constant presence at Greek, British, and German Royal events throughout the 20th century. To mark the anniversary we are featuring one of Princess Sophie’s most important Heirloom Jewels: The Hesse Emerald Brooch!

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Spanish State Visits to Sweden

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King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain will begin a State Visit to Sweden tomorrow, where they will be hosted by the Swedish Royal Family! The first Spanish State Visit to Sweden in over 40 years promises to be a splendid occasion, so we are featuring all the previous Spanish State Visits to Sweden. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and King Felipe VI of Spain are both descended through Queen Victoria from their respective grandmother, Crown Princess Margareta of Sweden, and great-grandmother, Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain.   Continue reading →

Queen Amélie’s Diamond Tiara

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Happy Birthday to the Duchess of Braganza, who turns 55 today! The Portuguese aristocrat, who grew up between Portugal, Angola, and Brazil, married Dom Duarte Pio, the Duke of Braganza, pretender to the defunct Portuguese throne. The couple have three children, Prince Afonso, Infanta Maria Francisca and Infante Dinis, and enjoy a semi-official role in the Portuguese Republic, being invited for ceremonial events, including State Banquets, so in honour of the Duchess’ birthday, we are featuring one of her most splendid jewels: Queen Amélie’s ‘Dom Luis’ Tiara:

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Queen in West Africa, 1961

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The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were on an extensive month-long Tour of West Africa on this day in 1961 (60 years ago), visiting Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Gambia. The Tour of West Africa came after an extensive 2-month Tour of India and Pakistan with State Visits to Nepal and Iran, as well as the Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ Banquet, which were followed by State Visits to Italy and the Vatican in May, and a long stay in Scotland in the Summer. Continue reading →

Monaco National Day 2021

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Prince Albert II of Monaco was joined by members of the extended Monegasque Princely Family for the annual National Day Celebrations in Monte Carlo on November 19th. National Day, also known as The Sovereign Prince’s Day, is held on the day of St. Rainier, the namesake saint of Prince Rainier III, the father of Prince Albert. Princess Charlene is ill and recently arrived back in Monaco after months in South Africa.

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Royal Variety Performance 2021

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London on November 18th. The event is in aid of the Royal Variety Charity, of which the Queen is patron, which helps entertainers throughout the UK, who need help and assistance as a result of old age, ill-health, or hard times. This year sees the centenary of the reigning monarch being patron, commencing with King George V in 1921. Continue reading →

Princess Elizabeth’s Tour of Canada, 1951

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Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh completed their extensive Tour of Canada on this day in 1951, different phases of which we have been individually covering over the past few weeks. Following a busy Summer, with the Opening of the Festival of Britain, the Danish State Visit, the Norwegian State Visit, the Tour of Canada was the first sign of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke, who had given up his Naval Career, becoming full-time working Royals in the last few months of King George VI’s life, ahead of her Accession to the Throne. Continue reading →