State Visit from the USA - State Banquet: HM The Queen
For this evening's state banquet, HM pulled out a tiara many of you had hoped she'd wear last week: the Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara, but with pearl drops rather than emeralds. I must confess that it's still not my favorite sparkler, and we've seen it so recently -- at October's banquet during the Qatari state visit. (Her hair's better this go around, though.)
PHOTO CREDITS: Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Tags: state visit, tiara
I really love this tiara. It's so sparkly, and big enough. Not too small, not too massive. (Is that possible? Not TOO massive?)
I do not think that this Vladimir tiara flatters the Queen and I feel it is much prettier with the emerald drops. HM is also wearing the Duchess of Teck brooch and a necklace that was Queen Victoria's. Thus, I am once again astounded at the size of Lilibet's jewel box, or is it jewel room.
One of my favorite tiaras. Wonder if its a bit heavy, thus not worn as frequently. The emerald drops don't 'fit' in this tiara. The pearls were made for it.
Notice the four stand pearl bracelet. Is there one on each arm? Hard to see.
Her Majesty looks really nice and love the necklace but not the tiara. Wish she had worn the Girls of England and Ireland again as she did at the dinner where she gave a speech. Now that is a real show stopper tiara! Love to have a peek in her jewel rooms, sure she needs more then one.
Lovin all the Jewels on dear Lil! She is wearing the tiara far more successfully then during the Qatar banquet. Plus, how about that brooch! I've been waiting years for it to make a reappearance!
With all the metal and gems on this tiara, it must be very heavy! It gives me a headache just to look at it!
I have one minor quibble about the queen's appearance otherwise. The sparklies on the dress hide the order that's pinned under her left side. All you can see is the red cross on it, and it looks like she just gave blood somewhere...
Love seeing this one come out again, it's got such an amazing and dramatic history. And the necklace goes perfectly with it (so often her jewellery combos jar a bit) and again, has great history having belonged to Queen Victoria. I am liking this outing from Liz - and even for all white the frock has enough on it to not look like a nightie for achange. Hussah!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1390540/Obama-UK-state-visit-Queen-Elizabeth-treats-President-Tom-hanks-banquet.html
Ooh - a pic of Anne in the meander at the bottom. looking good...
In my head, I had pictured this for once fabulous frock (a repeat from the Arab Emirates tour), Vlad the impaler (as I'm nicknaming this tiara), and some emeralds (of course). 2/3 ain't bad, so I'm not complaining. I think HM looks wonderful - ever so regal.
Apparently there are huge vaults beneath Buckingham Palace that store all the jewels and other such paraphinalia - stuff that hasn't been seen in over a century. I would kill to have a gander in there.
To be Queen's stylist. Choosing her jewellery. One kind of heaven.
For some reason when I see image of Queen in my head I picture her with this tiara. But I still don't like it on her but I think that Kate would wear it well with it's clean lines.
The Queen's gowns are the finest that can be made,but I didn't really realize their sheer beauty until they were on display at Buckingham Palace:80 gowns and dresses for 80 years. Photography doesn't show just how beautiful are the fabrics, the embroidery and the various crystals and other glitter that adorn these garments. It was an amazing display and though they were in glass cases, I could get quite close to them and see these wonderful details. I was really amazed and spent far longer looking at them than I expected to do. I hope they do a similar display for the Queen's 90th. Wouldn't that be great.
I really like this tiara.
However the placement of the 'blood donation' pin seems rather unfortunate. Really? The underside of the royal, um, bosom? How about no.
And would someone please tell me what she keeps in her handbag? I just don't understand. Maybe a spae tiara for this type of event?
And completely off topic: I think the President has the nicest smile.
Loved seeing all the pictures of this visit (and just have to say I thought Mrs Obama looked wonderful in her white gown).
I really like the Queen's evening gown; not overdone in sequins and sparkles to compete with her fabulous jewels. I think the Vlad tiara looks great on her; maybe we're so accustomed to seeing her wear the GGBI tiara that perhaps anything else just isn't right. The loops on the tiara have a nice soft effect and the pearl drops just glow. It's nice to see her rotate tiaras and give them an outing. If anything, I don't like the crown on the center medallion of her necklace; it just seems to pop up and compete with the dangling pearl. I would just like to see the pearl teardrop only, but wouldn't quarrel at all if that necklace came into my possession.
@JamesB - I can't help but think that Anne is smiling so broadly in the photo because she's still thinking of her mom's hairnet appearance the other day.
Those pics are great, thanks James! The room looks amazing. Duchess of Gloucester is sitting MILES down the table, opposite Richard Branson! To paraphrase Alan Bennett's HM, "One of my all walks of life banquets."
It's not my favourite tiara, although it is stunning, but I love the Girls so much that anything else just isn't as good. but she looks fabulous. Her hair is looking terrific just now.
The "blood donation" pin is actually the badge of the Order of the Garter. It goes with the blue sash and she always wears it in the same place on formal occasions. I think the red cross represents the Cross of St. George, the patron saint of England, just like you see in the national flag of England and as part of the Union flag, which includes the blue Cross of St. Andrew.
@ nancy: Well that makes sense. Does the pin have to be worn that low, or can it be worn a few inches up? It just seems such an odd placement! But maybe there's a reason/tradition for this?
I have wondered about that very point of placement. But it is always in the same place on the men and women's bodies. NOtice Prince Philip's for example. I think I shall do a little research and see what the historical reason is, and I bet there is a steadfast rule. Will let you know if I learn something.
I did know the "blood donation" pin was an important order, and I do seem them placed exactly there on every occasion. At the very least, the placement assures the wearer will have great posture. Slouch = ouch! I think it fights with the dress for attention though, since you can't really see anything other than the red cross.
*see them
The Windsor Castle web site has a page of details about the Order of the Garter which is as official as we are going to get. It simply specifies that the badge must be worn on the "left breast." That makes me think they were not planning to have lady members of the Garter.
@ Nancy - Thanks. That makes more sense. I think I would 'break with tradition' and have it higher up. Granted, Kikky has a GREAT point about the posture. Maybe I need one (as she straightens up!).
My first comment here, but I've loved reading all of yours.
If i were to choose a favorite tiara, it would be the Russian Kokoshnik (sp?). I love it's height and it seems to majestic. Having said that, I don't think the Queen has a tiara I don't like! I'd love to see more of the Brazilian Aquamarine tiara, and the Burmese as well. I do love the Vladimir, though, and I agree that the pearls fit better than the emeralds, but the emeralds are really striking.
Back in 1987 I saw the Queen in Vancouver, BC. On one occasion she was wearing the Vladimir with emeralds, on the other occasion she wore this brooch. Both times I saw her very closeup and these are really stunning - much more so than in pictures.