Kate stuns in velvet and diamonds for diplomatic reception

Kate stuns in velvet and diamonds for diplomatic reception

The Duchess of Cambridge must have seen the Swedish ladies turn up for the Nobels and said, “Hold my tiara!”, because Kate brought the royal glamour in oh so many of The Queen’s diamonds and velvet McQueen at tonight’s diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace.

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Before I even talk jewels, I want to congratulate Kate on finally receiving the Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II. It took, what, six years for Kate to finally receive her first order, but then in quick succession she received her second one. The Queen made Kate a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order earlier this year.

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Now on to the best part: jewelry! Kate has been exclusively wearing the Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara since she debuted it back in 2015, so it’s not surprising she chose that tiara for tonight’s event. Kate brought back a necklace she previously wore in 2014 that we haven’t seen on her since: the Nizam of Hyderabad necklace. The Queen previously loaned Kate this necklace for the Portrait Gala in 2014.

Kate’s earrings are also on loan from The Queen but are a new-to-Kate debut: Kate’s wearing the Diamond Chandelier Drop Earrings which were last seen on the Countess of Wessex at the US State Banquet earlier this year. Kate’s also wearing a large diamond cocktail ring on her right hand which I’ve not seen before so I don’t have an id on it.

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Kate’s navy blue velvet Alexander McQueen gown features a v-neck with shoulder pads that screams ’80s to me, but I’m actually okay with it because I think the simplicity of the gown can handle the structure of the shoulders (there’s nothing else pulling focus so the shoulders don’t look too out of place).

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We got even more jewelry debuts from The Queen in the form of a new-to-us emerald and diamond necklace. At this time there is no definitive provenance for this piece, but wowzers, it’s gorgeous. And it pairs perfectly with the Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara with Emerald Drops.

In addition to those massive emerald pieces, HM wore the Emerald Drop Earrings from the Greville bequest, and two of The Queen Mother’s Cartier Bracelets, the emerald one and one all diamond.

The Queen also wore a white Angela Kelly gown, the Order of the Garter sash and star and the Royal Family Orders of King George V and King George VI.

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The Duchess of Cornwall went with her old favorites: a white Bruce Oldfield dress we’ve seen a bunch of times; the Greville Honeycomb Tiara; her four strand pearl choker with the large diamond clasp; and her Pear Drop Diamond Earrings. Camilla is also wearing the Royal Family Order and the sash and star of the Royal Victorian Order.

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Prince Charles (not pictured) and Prince William were also in attendance.

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