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The Rich History Behind Queen Maxima’s Royal Jewelry

As King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands wrap up their official visit to North America, let us learn more about their great nation through the wonder of jewelry.

Queen Maxima was born in Argentina and met the king during the 1999 Seville Spring Fair in Spain.  His Majesty, who was inaugurated in April 2013 when his mother, the now-Princess Beatrix, abdicated in his favor.  Willem-Alexander only introduced himself as “Alexander” at the time, Maxima recalled in an interview, and didn’t reveal his background until they had been dating for a bit.

[Read more…]

The Babies Wore Dior: Monaco Twins Get Baptized, Didn’t Cry Once

Princes Jacques Princess Gabriella Monaco Christening

YouTube/Royal Life CZ

The princely little poppets of Monaco were baptized in a Catholic ceremony today, and I think this is the first time I’ve seen Princess Charlene so friggin’ happy.

Gabriella Thérése Marie and her younger brother (by two minutes) Jacques Honoré Rainier Grimaldi were born on December 10th, 2014.  Because of male primogeniture, Jacques is heir to the Monegasque throne.

View image | gettyimages.com

 

The christening was live-streamed, according to People, showing off two five-month-olds with growing personality.  Jacques was described as “wide awake and playful” as he was carried into the Cathedral of Monaco by his mother,  while Gabriella snoozed in her dad, Prince Albert’s arms.  [Read more…]

6 Things To Know About Terry Hutt, The Royal Family’s Biggest Fan

Terry Hutt Union Jack Suit Birthday Cake

James Whatling/Splash News and Pictures

He’s created almost as much buzz as the royal baby in the past few weeks, but waiting for the arrival of a member of the royal family is nothing new for Cambridge-based fan Terry Hutt.  Yesterday, the team at Kensington Palace sent him a cake and note (above) to celebrate his 80th birthday, a nod to Hutt’s dedication and support over the years.

[Read more…]

The Definitive Ranking of Kate Middleton’s Coats

I first got a whiff of the Duchess of Cambridge’s penchant for an impeccably tailored bit of magic in June 2011, when Catherine visited Victoria Barracks wearing a navy Alexander McQueen coat.  It fit her lithe body like a glove and commanded attention despite its subtle design.

Things just escalated from there, to the point where I would clap if she wore my favorite coat more than once (@WhatKateWore and @JanetNorCal pick up what I’m throwing down, re: #1)

Ranking my favorite coats was a challenge, and it’s difficult not to go back and rearrange my decisions.  There are those that didn’t make the cut, which will spark a lively debate on whether or not I am fit to speak about such things.  

Never mind all that.  Let’s fight over coats. [Read more…]

24 Times Carole Middleton Showed She Was The Winningest Mom In Maternal History

Carole Middleton Leaves Westminster Abbey Coach

Jeff Moore / Splash News

Not since Lady Margaret Beaufort has England seen a woman so sharp, so clever and so focused on her family’s success,.

Carole Middleton, she of coal miners descent, has managed to marry off one kid to a future monarch, and the other to a financier who has not only made a lot of money, but is also very protective of his privacy. [Read more…]

Meeting the Royals: The Art of a Proper Curtsy

It’s a grand old gesture, and one that’s been practiced for as long as there has been a monarchy. And though it’s not mandatory to bow or curtsy to the Queen or a member of the royal family, many do it out of respect.  And though it’s not limited to the United Kingdom and Commonwealth realms, it is rare to see an American do it.

“I curtsy to her every time I see her,” the Queen’s oldest granddaughter, Zara Phillips told Majesty Magazine back in 2008.  “The thing with my grandmother is she is still my grandmother and she’s very approachable, but she’s also from an era where that was how it was done. But there aren’t many people who know how it’s done. I know because I have grown up with it.”

Kate Middleton Curtsies to Queen Elizabeth II After a Visit to The East Midlands

Phil Noble – WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Queen’s family always greets her first with a kiss, then with a bow or curtsy, which is absolutely fascinating to watch. Watch the royal family greet the Queen in the video below (specifically Phillips, her brother, Peter Phillips and their step-father, Sir Timothy Laurence at the :19 mark)

A story first reported by the Sunday Telegraph in 2012 claimed that the Queen sent out a memo reminding all family members about curtsying (the Duchess of Cambridge is to curtsy to “blood royals” – Princesses Anne, Beatrice and Eugenie– when not with Prince William, for example), but the claims were not confirmed by the palace, who told People it was a “private matter” for the Queen.

Kate Middleton Meghan Markle Curtsy Queen Leaves Christmas Service Sandringham 2017

ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images

“Updating the Order of Precedence has been a simple matter of following the precedent set when the Prince of Wales married Camilla Parker Bowles [in 2005],” a palace aide told the Telegraph at the time.

Kate Middleton Camilla Duchess Cornwall Curtsy to Queen Who Leaves Order Garter Ceremony 2016

MATT DUNHAM/AFP via Getty Images

Rumor has it that the royals can’t stand a deep, dramatic curtsy, but there are some (Margaret Thatcher, Joan Collins) who can’t resist taking a dip when they meet Her Majesty (can’t blame them).

Joan Collins Curtsies to the Queen: Royal Academy Of Arts Reception 2012

Carl Court – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Well done, Carey Mulligan.

Carey Mulligan Curtsies to the Queen: British Film Industry Reception 2013 Windsor Castle

Steve Parsons – WPA Pool/Getty Images

It’s tradition for the royal bride to curtsy to the Queen after ceremony. Diana did it, as did Catherine, Meghan and Eugenie (though Diana’s Catherine’s and Eugenie’s were the only ones caught on camera, which I does not amuse me; The deep curtsy is elegant and a rare thing to witness).

Kate Middleton Curtsies to the Queen April 29 2011 Royal Wedding

Kirsty Wigglesworth – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Debrett’s etiquette advisor, Jo Bryant advises anyone who meets a royal to “Put your right foot behind your left foot.  Briefly bend the knees with one foot forward keeping the upper body straight.  Repeat when the member of the Royal family leaves.”

Don’t say I never did anything for you.

How Am I Just Learning That Kate Middleton Wears An Eternity Band?

kate middleton rings india

ADNAN ABIDI/AFP/Getty Images

While writing up a guest post for @courtjeweller, I was researching work by two of my favorite royal bloggers, What Kate Wore and My Small Obsessions.

I admire and respect these women because not only are they spot-on when it comes to identifying clothes, accessories and jewelry that Catherine wears, but they make sure to credit anyone who gave them a tip.  [Read more…]

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© Kelly Lynch and The Duchess Diary, 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kelly Lynch and The Duchess Diary with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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