Royal Jewels

[ladyboy]

All those groups raising money and then buying the Queen a diamond tiara or whatnot! WTF, people. Give more to charity and send her a note. Jeez.

[seat6]

I agree completely, ladyboy. I don’t think the Queen should accept such extravagant gifts from people who have far fewer resources than she does (although most of them seem to have been given to her early in her reign). I don’t think a campaign for the schoolgirls of Ireland to donate their lunch money to buy the Queen a diamond broach would raise very much these days.

It just makes me think of how the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. A friend of mine was working in a restaurant when the Black Crows came in. They stayed open late to accommodate them. They ordered gallons of booze and everything off the menu. I said, “I hope they tipped well.” She said, “Their meal was comped. They didn’t pay.” She wasn’t their server, so she didn’t know if they tipped or not. It just made me mad. Why should the Black Crows get a free meal? It’s a business expense for them. They were on tour.

It’s amazing how quickly people can become entitled and accustomed to luxury. The Queen was born to it, but people from humble beginnings sure can transform with money and fame.

(I don’t actually know how humble the Black Crows’ origins were. I’m assuming they weren’t at the standard of the British Royal Family).

[Carolinian]

I wonder if Camilla is going to take up wearing some of the jewels most associated with QEII, like the large diamond bow brooches and the Cullinan diamonds, or if she'll let them rest in the vault.

[Deleted]

It kind of sounds like the showstopping jewels, the really big pieces that almost look like they can't be real, are from the Victorian or Edwardian eras (read: they came from India, probably through less than stellar means). And I don't know if we will ever see a new tiara, since tiaras are barely worn anymore except for state dinners or the opening of parliament. I've seen Kate wear one really big flashy pair of emerald earrings that were said to be a private gift, but the rest of her jewelry is stuff you can buy at upscale-but-not-ridiculous jewelry stores like Annouschka, Kiki McDonough, or Tiffany. Meghan seems to like Birks, she wears them a lot, which again, if you have some money it's not completely out of reach. Is there even a "crown jewelers" like Garrard's anymore?

I forget if I had a point...I guess just that I don't think we'll see a new gift like the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, nor will we see any new giant jewels, as both would be considered tacky nowadays. I think that ship has sailed.

[kostgard]

Aug 28, 2018 12:34:54 GMT -4 @ximena said:

It kind of sounds like the showstopping jewels, the really big pieces that almost look like they can't be real, are from the Victorian or Edwardian eras (read: they came from India, probably through less than stellar means). And I don't know if we will ever see a new tiara, since tiaras are barely worn anymore except for state dinners or the opening of parliament. I've seen Kate wear one really big flashy pair of emerald earrings that were said to be a private gift, but the rest of her jewelry is stuff you can buy at upscale-but-not-ridiculous jewelry stores like Annouschka, Kiki McDonough, or Tiffany. Meghan seems to like Birks, she wears them a lot, which again, if you have some money it's not completely out of reach. Is there even a "crown jewelers" like Garrard's anymore?

I forget if I had a point...I guess just that I don't think we'll see a new gift like the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, nor will we see any new giant jewels, as both would be considered tacky nowadays. I think that ship has sailed.

I agree. People may do stuff like make donations to charity in a royal's name, but that's it. I don't think anyone feels the need to shower then in jewels any more and I think they know it would be bad PR to accept them.

[Martini Girl]

When I read that piece, I thought (mistakenly) that royals weren't allowed to accept expensive gifts. It's just bad PR.

I know Camilla is no clothes horse, but she has a lot of Leo in her chart, so there's hope she'll bust out some good jewels now and again.

[Auroranorth]

I just like looking at the shiny. *is shallow*

[ladyboy]

I really liked the ones that were just a string of golfball sized diamonds. I could rock that with a t-shirt and jeans.

[ladytrentham]

My theory is that "the schoolgirls of Ireland give the Queen a gift tiara" really means the kids kicked @ 10 pounds and the rest was sponsored by the very wealthy Mr. & Mrs. Thing A. MaJig looking for a title, ribbon, & star. Just a guess...

[riosamba]

The Bourbon-Parmas are auctioning 100 lots just in time for your holiday shopping needs. Some of these pieces have serious provenance (including Marie-Antoinette). There are two practical tiaras, one can be a choker, the fleur-de-lys that I prefer can be brooches. The sale takes place on Wednesday.

I’m asking Santa for lots 36 (a relatively modest ruby ring), 79 (an enormous sapphire brooch. Sapphires go with everything), and #86 (a “superb diamond parure.” The preschool moms are dressing up more these days, so I feel this one is a must for me). I better not be on the naughty list this year.