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When I think of the Royal family, especially The Queen, I always think of her jewellery. I’m not just talking about the British Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, which are very impressive, but the diamonds, sparkling brooches, necklaces and tiaras she wears on official duties. I always think it must take forever to go through the vault and choose which pieces to wear and also how much fun that would be. Well, as part of Her Majesty’s continued Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Buckingham Palace is displaying some of her most personal jewellery, which have great sentimental value to the Queen, some of which have never been exhibited before. Plus, it marks the first Summer Opening of the State Rooms since 2019.
If you haven’t been to Buckingham Palace to have a wander round, do, it is fabulous. There is something special about going up the impressive Grand Staircase gilded in gold with red carpet before exploring the Throne Room and 47-metre Picture Gallery. Also don’t miss the very grand and beautiful White Drawing Room, where The Queen and members of the Royal Family receive and entertain their guests on State, ceremonial and official occasions.
The Queen’s jewels showcased alongside portraits by Dorothy Wilding
Alongside the grandeur of the State Rooms, your ticket to Buckingham Palace this year also includes the special ‘Platinum Jubilee: The Queen’s Accession’ exhibition, which places a spotlight on The Queen’s accession to the throne in February 1952 and brings together for the first time Dorothy Wilding’s original hand-finished prints from the Royal Collection with the jewels worn by Her Majesty in each photograph, including the Diamond Diadem, one of Her Majesty’s most widely recognised pieces of jewellery.
If you are thinking the Diadem tiara looks familiar, it is probably because you’ve seen this crown worn by The Queen thousands of times before. It is the image captured by Dorothy Wilding that has been used on most UK coins and banknotes, as well as postage stamps. But there is nothing like seeing it in person. Trust me, it sparkles.
The Diamond Diadem was created for the famously extravagant Coronation of George IV in 1821. It is set with 1,333 brilliant-cut diamonds and consists of a band with two rows of pearls on either side of a row of diamonds, above which are diamonds set in the form of a rose, a thistle and two shamrocks, the national emblems of England, Scotland and Ireland.
As well as marvelling at its beauty, it was lovely to find out its history. The Diadem has been passed to Queen Alexandra, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and then to Her Majesty The Queen, who wore it on the day of her Coronation and has worn it on her journey to and from the State Opening of Parliament since the first year of her reign.
Other impressive jewels featured include The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara, made by E. Wolff and Co for R and S. Garrard in a scrolled and pierced foliate form. The Queen received the diamond tiara as a wedding present from her grandmother, Queen Mary, alongside the Dorset Bow Brooch and a pair of bangles believed to be made in India, which are being shown for the first time.
As well as the Vladimir tiara, made for Grand Duchess Vladimir of Russia and sold to Queen Mary in 1921, which features diamonds and pearl drops and the platinum Nizam of Hyderabad necklace set with 300 diamonds. There is also the spectacular Delhi Durbar necklace, which incorporates nine emeralds originally owned by Queen Mary’s grandmother, the Duchess of Cambridge, as well as an 8.8-carat diamond pendant cut from the Cullinan diamond, the largest diamond ever found.
As well as the jewels, this exhibition also showcases the incredible work of Dorothy Wilding, one of the most successful portrait photographers of her day, who took the first official portrait sitting of the young Queen just 20 days after the accession. The simplicity of the photographs with the stark backdrops just highlights the beauty of The Queen. I love how powerful and timeless these images are. Wilding’s use of lighting just draws you into The Queen.
Wilding captured 59 photographs of The Queen wearing a variety of stunning gowns designed by Norman Hartnell, and I love how these images have become the basis of this exhibition to highlight the jewellery worn for the sittings, including the Diamond Diadem and the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara. So magnificent to see the portraits side-by-side with the jewels.
The exhibition also showcases official photographs of The Queen commissioned to mark her Silver, Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilees, and the cream and gold embellished coronation dress and coronet made by the Crown Jewellers that Princess Elizabeth wore to the coronation of her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1937.
The Platinum Jubilee: The Queen’s Accession is included in a visit to the Summer Opening of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace until Sunday, October 2, 2022.
