Features

The most star crossed royal lovers of all? The princess who fell for a king and ended up covered in blood on her wedding day

A century ago, the woman who reigned as Spanish consort had more than her fair share of problems. She was Victoria Eugenie, known as Ena, and her first day as a queen began in a terrifying manner. Ena perhaps realized the turbulence ahead of her just minutes after her wedding. She walked into the Royal Monastery of San Jeronimo in Madrid on May 21st 1906 as a princess and left as a queen having…
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A royal rarity - an emerald engagement ring

It’s rare to see a royal engagement ring featuring an emerald. The striking stone features in very few of these most romantic pieces of jewellery but it has had a starring role in some of the most talked about royal gems that sealed truly famous love stories. Queen…
Features

Going Dutch: how King Willem-Alexander won the heart of his Argentinean bride

Theirs may be the only royal proposal that happened on ice—but we’ll get to that. Máxima Zorreguieta was a hotshot banker living and working in New York City when she travelled to Seville, Spain, for a party in April 1999. How could she know that her future husband, a prince in hiding, would be there? “Spain has a special place in our hearts,” King Willem-Alexander said at a 2024…
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The pretty pink tiara covered in rare stones that survived the fall of a royal dynasty

Although the House of Savoy is still in exile after the Italian monarchy was abolished, they have kept many of their stunning jewels. And that includes the Savoy Tourmaline Tiara.  This tiara is often referred to as a pink topaz tiara, but actually features tourmalines. The floral design tiara has several diamonds and nine larger tourmalines.  The stunning pink stones formed a central part…
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The accession of Queen Elizabeth II

The historic reign of Queen Elizabeth II saw many milestones. But perhaps one is the most important – not just of her reign but of modern British history. It is the moment of her accession. On February 6th 1952, in the early hours, King George VI died in his sleep at…
Features

An amethyst necklace that was hidden for nearly a century

The Queen Mother amassed quite a large jewellery collection of her own, with a wide variety of jewels. In honour of February’s birthstone, we are exploring one of her most impressive amethyst necklaces.  Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon accepted the Duke of York’s marriage proposal in January 1923 and quickly began receiving different pieces as gifts.  The groom’s grandmother, Queen…
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