Latest news with #royaljewelry
Vogue
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vogue
The Deeper Meaning Behind Kate Middleton's Dazzling New Ring Stack
When the Princess of Wales returned to royal duties following chemotherapy treatment last year, fans quickly clocked that she had added a new eternity ring to her collection, believed to be Cartier's Étincelle de Cartier wedding band. Over the past year, Kate has often been photographed wearing the $6,300 platinum ring, comprising 19 brilliant-cut diamonds and 19 brilliant-cut sapphires, in lieu of her more famous 12-carat oval-cut Ceylon sapphire engagement ring, which Prince William inherited from Princess Diana following her death. There was much discussion about why the Princess was wearing her new Cartier ring—often paired with her wedding band and another diamond eternity ring, believed to have been gifted by William to mark Prince George's birth in 2013—instead of her larger engagement ring. Perhaps it was simply a more everyday choice (Kate has tended to wear the latter at more formal events, such as last year's Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall.) The Princess of Wales wore her two eternity bands with her 12-carat oval-cut Ceylon sapphire engagement ring for the first time at Wimbledon over the weekend. But at Wimbledon at the weekend, Kate wore her engagement ring with both of her eternity rings, as well as her wedding band, for the first time. It comes as ring stacking is becoming increasing popular—particularly among new brides. 'We're increasingly seeing clients choose to style their eternity ring stacked with their engagement ring and wedding band, or wear it alone for a more relaxed look,' Eliza Walter, founder of Lylie Jewellery, tells Vogue. 'In warmer months or during summer holidays, many opt to wear just their wedding band and eternity ring together—a combination that feels both effortless and meaningful.' Of course, eternity rings are often deeply meaningful, traditionally bought to mark special milestones (there is speculation that Kate's Étincelle de Cartier wedding band was gifted to her by William to mark their 13th wedding anniversary last year). 'Eternity rings are a timeless symbol, a circle of precious metal traditionally set with stones all the way around, representing an unbroken bond and infinite commitment,' jeweler Rachel Boston explains. 'The continuous line of diamonds or gemstones is a reminder that, like the ring itself, true love has no beginning or end.' If Kate's choice of jewelry at Wimbledon is anything to go by, it seems that the ring stacking trend isn't going anywhere. All the better if each piece is imbued with sentimental value—a collection that's been inherited or built up over the years.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kate, Anne, Sophie & the Queen All Wore *This* Jewelry Trend for Garter Day
It may not be a tiara-worthy occasion, but Garter Day—which takes place annually at Windsor Castle and is more formally known as the Order of the Garter service—is still a major event for the royals, which means sparkly jewelry is required. Still, we weren't expecting all the Windsor women (Queen Camilla, Kate Middleton, Duchess Sophie, even Princess Anne) to mirror each other with a simple and consistent aesthetic: the case of Queen Camilla, she replicated the earrings she wore on Saturday for Trooping the Colour—a pair of pearl and diamond clip-ons that are thought to be one of her favorites, according to the Court Jeweller. (She also wore a four-strand pearl choker necklace, also seen at Trooping and another one of her beloved go-tos.)Then, there was Kate Middleton, who unexpectedly—and happily—appeared by Prince William's side after taking last year off to prioritize her health. William took part in the processional today, while Kate met him at St. George's Chapel in a copycat look, not from Trooping the Colour, but rather the 80th anniversary celebrations of VE Day, which took place in May. The Princess of Wales once again re-wore her white Self-Portrait dress along with a couple of costume jewelry pieces that are vintage (pearl earrings, but also her five-strand pearl necklace) from London-based designer, Susan there was Duchess Sophie, who was a vision in ballet pink. Once again, there was a pearl combo—her earrings, which also feature diamonds, but also her necklace (a pearl drop pendant). Finally, Princess Anne. The sister of the king, she is known for her commitment to royal business as usual—not to mention her work ethic. (Hardest working royal is often the phrase most assigned to Anne.) Even she donned an understated set of pearl and diamond earrings, rounding out the royal what gives? Why the royal alignment—or is it simply a case of pearls being so classic and timeless that everyone reaches for them for a formal occasion such as this? In the case of Camilla and Anne, they've worn their pearl and diamond selections to Garter Day before. (Just peep these pics from 2022.) But pearls are also steeped in royal tradition. Queen Elizabeth II famously loved them and made a three-strand pearl necklace part of her signature royal 'uniform'—so rarely was she seen without them. Per the Gem Society, pearls are also long associated with good fortune and wisdom, a natural connection to the proceedings of today. Or maybe everyone just texted each other to coordinate. Either way, the royal jewelry trend was clear. Want all the latest entertainment news sent right to your inbox? Click Princess Charlotte Twinned with Her Mom Today, But it Was Her Jewelry That Turned Heads
Daily Mail
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE How Kate Middleton's beloved Royal jeweller transcended the gemstone industry with the help of Princess Diana and Queen Camilla
Kiki has been with Kate since the beginning, even before the now Princess of Wales became a member of the British Royal Family. But it was in fact the previous Princess of Wales, Diana, who was the first royal to put Kiki McDonough on the map - wearing a pair of iconic earrings, and at The White House no less! Kiki McDonough has royal clientèle in her blood; her father, Robin Axford, was a director at Harvey & Gore, an antique jeweller based in the Burlington Arcade, to whom Queen Mary, perhaps the Royal Family's most prolific purchaser of jewels, frequented. It is four decades since Kiki, having previously worked at Vogue for 18 months as a fashion assistant and in the warehouse of a leather goods company, started designing for jeweller Nigel Milne on Grafton Street. Not long after the launch of her first collection as a partner of Nigel Milne, Sarah Ferguson wore a pair of Kiki's heart earrings for an official engagement photo with Prince Andrew. A few months later as the Duchess of York, she arrived in Bordeaux wearing a pair of onyx heart and bow earrings and a pearl and onyx heart necklace - it was the summer of 1986 and the duchess was still glowing from her royal wedding only weeks earlier. Indeed Sarah Ferguson had gone to Kiki for jewellery not long after her engagement to Prince Andrew, as she was thrown into official engagements from the get-go, and was not yet able to be leant jewels from the Queen's collection. Sarah was to become the first of many British royals to wear Kiki McDonough's colourful jewels on both private and public occasions - culminating in the most regal of all - the Coronation of King Charles III. Sarah Ferguson wore Kiki earrings in the shape of hearts for her engagement announcement In her recently published biographical coffee table book, celebrating forty fabulous years as a jeweller and businesswoman, we discover that Kiki was one of the first fine jewellers to branch away from the traditional cardinal gemstones of diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires. From the beginning she ingeniously embraced amethysts and aquamarines, tanzanites and tourmalines - and for Diana, the then Princess of Wales, this may have been another step in paving her own path through the rigours of royal life. Always known for breaking the boundaries of the traditional princess protocol - with off-the-shoulder and one-shoulder dresses, hemlines above the knee; she also shook-up royal jewels by wearing Queen Mary's emerald choker as a bandeau, as well as her own Saudi sapphire choker. So it is not surprising that she found Kiki's colourful designs a breath of fresh air and in 1990 on a State Visit to the USA, she wore a pair of pearl and amethyst earrings to the White House. A photo from this engagement was on the cover of Hello magazine, amongst many other publications - and the earrings subsequently sold out! Kiki writes in her book that Kate has been a 'great help in the evolution of the brand' Indeed the story of the former Princess of Wales waiting outside the jeweller's first standalone store, on Elizabeth Street in Belgravia, is legendary: Kiki was making a cup of coffee and thought that a builder was joking when he told her that the princess was about to take the handle off the door - she seemed so keen to enter! He wasn't, joking that is! But it is Kate, the current Princess of Wales, who has been her most successful royal patron with (according to several sources) at least 20 pieces in a rainbow array of colours. As Kate Middleton - it was on her first royal engagement in February 2011 that we saw the future queen wear Kiki McDonough earrings to a lifeboat naming ceremony in Anglesey, Wales. In her book, A Life of Colour, the jeweller admits that Kate, has been "a great help in the evolution of the brand". Indeed I think she might well have a pair of earrings to match every single outfit in her wardrobe in every colourway possible! Kiki's design for Queen Camilla's Coronation is created with 18 carat white gold and set with diamonds, designed in the form of the Queen's cypher - with C (Camilla) and R (Regina) intertwined, with a crown above In recent years we have also seen Queen Camilla wearing pendant jewels from her daughter in law's favourite jeweller. Perhaps Kiki McDonough's most official royal commission however was from Buckingham Palace in early 2023: the creation of a cypher brooch for Her Majesty Queen Camilla and her Companions, to be worn at the Coronation on May 6th 2023. The jewel is created in 18 carat white gold and set with diamonds, designed in the form of the Queen's cypher - with C (Camilla) and R (Regina) intertwined, with a crown above. Of course, Kiki is more than just a jeweller to royals, my son has a pair of exquisite enamel and gold cufflinks that were given to him by his godmother. She is also a brilliant businesswoman – who inspires new generations of jewellers every day. Kiki McDonough: A Life of Colour: 40 Years of Gemstone Jewellery available on Amazon at £49.99
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Queen Camilla's stunning pearl necklace steals the spotlight - recreate the look with our favourite high street jewellery brands
During her two-day tour of Canada with King Charles, Queen Camilla turned to one of her signature pieces: a striking four-strand pearl necklace. The design features four strands of pearls joined by a circular diamond-set clasp - a timeless combination of classic charm and regal sophistication. This particular necklace carries sentimental value for Camilla. She wore it in a portrait taken by Alexi Lubomirski to celebrate her 14th wedding anniversary with Charles, and it also made an appearance at the 2022 State Opening of Parliament. Pearls have long held a cherished place in royal jewellery collections, symbolising purity, wisdom and elegance. Their enduring appeal and versatility make them a go-to for everything from official daytime duties to state banquets. Inspired by Queen Camilla's refined look, we've created an edit of pearl necklaces that offer similar impact - including styles from royal-approved brands such as Orelia, Monica Vinader, Missoma, Astley Clarke and Clogau. Explore our top picks below to channel timeless sophistication with a modern twist.
