The Duchess of Gloucester's Royal Jewels: A Week of Classic Style and a New Addition
A Royal's Wardrobe: Unveiling the Stories Behind Her Jewels
The Duchess of Gloucester, known for her timeless elegance, had a week filled with sparkling moments this October. From Sheffield to London, she showcased her exquisite taste in jewelry, with a special focus on brooches.
On October 2nd, the Duchess embarked on a series of engagements in Sheffield, including a visit to the Crucible Theatre. There, she enjoyed a performance by Music in the Round, a charity dedicated to promoting international chamber music. But here's where it gets interesting: her jewelry choices for the day were not just fashionable, but also carried historical significance.
During her tour of Ernest Wright, a company with a rich history of crafting scissors and shears in Sheffield since 1902, the Duchess met with master craftsmen and women. She learned about their traditional methods, and in return, they presented her with a unique gift - a pin depicting a pair of shears cutting fabric. The Duchess was clearly delighted, pinning it to her jacket before departing.
But the story doesn't end there. On October 7th, Birgitte was spotted in London, visiting St. Paul's Cathedral. Her jewelry choices for this occasion were just as captivating. She wore petite sapphire and diamond cluster earrings, and on her navy jacket, she showcased her rock crystal and diamond circle brooches. But the highlight was an antique enamel and diamond pendant, featuring Queen Victoria's imperial cypher, which she suspended from a string of silvery-black pearls.
These October appearances echoed her jewelry choices at the Duchess of Kent's funeral a few weeks prior. On that solemn occasion, she pinned her enamel heart brooch to her hat and wore the circle brooches as elegant 'buttons' on her dress.
And this is the part most people miss: the Duchess's circle brooches are almost certainly Art Deco pieces, dating back to that glamorous era. But the enamel heart brooch is an even older treasure. While I haven't found an exact match within the royal family's extensive collection, Queen Alexandra wore a very similar piece. Her heart brooch featured a diamond arrow, while Birgitte's boasts a central diamond brilliant.
The Duchess has a special connection to her heart brooch. We've seen her wear it on memorable occasions, like the Armistice Day ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum in 2022. It's not just a beautiful piece of jewelry; it's a symbol of her dedication to mourning and remembrance. But she also wears it with modern, black-and-white ensembles, as seen in Sheffield and at Trooping the Colour in June.
The heart brooch isn't unique to the Duchess. Queen Margrethe of Denmark often wears a similar enamel and diamond heart brooch, a memorial pin made in 1917 to honor her great-grandmother, the Duchess of Connaught. And Queen Camilla has recently been spotted in a stunning enamel heart brooch, decorated with diamonds and pearls, adding a touch of modern elegance to her royal wardrobe.
So, what do you think? Are you intrigued by the stories these royal jewels tell? Do you find the historical connections fascinating? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
