khalid necklace
Elizabeth II

Royal Jewels – The King Khalid Necklace

The King Khalid necklace consists of “brilliants, marquises and 20 graduated pear-shaped pendants in openwork claw settings.” The necklace was made by the jeweller Harry Winston and was given to Queen Elizabeth II by King Khalid of Saudi Arabia. This happened during an official visit to Saudi Arabia in 1979. Embed from Getty Images Embed [read more]

Book Reviews

Book News April 2023

*contains affiliate links* The Windsors at War: The Nazi Threat to the Crown  Hardcover – 9 March 2023 (UK) & 18 April 2023 (US) The Windsors at War tells the story of the turbulent and seismic decade in between 1937 and 1947, including the bombing of Buckingham Palace in May 1940, the Duke of Windsor’s ill-advised [read more]

Diamond diadem
Royal Jewels

Royal Jewels – The Diamond Diadem

The Diamond Diadem, also known as the King George IV State Diadem, is one of the British monarchy’s most recognisable pieces of jewellery. Embed from Getty Images It was ordered from the jeweller Rundell in 1820, and it was completed in May 1820. The design, probably made by their chief designer Philip Liebart, incorporates the [read more]

Elizabeth II

Royal Jewels – The Australian Wattle Brooch

The Australian Wattle brooch is “claw- and pavé-set with three large brilliant and a variety of white, pale and deep yellow brilliants and baguettes in the form of a sprig of a golden wattle with a spray of Australian tea tree blossom.” The brooch represents the national flower of Australia and was commissioned by William [read more]

sophie wessex
Royal Jewels

Royal Jewels – The King Faisal Necklace

The King Faisal necklace is described as being “channel-set with baguettes, suspending claw-set brilliant” and having “11 graduated pear-shaped pendants.” Embed from Getty Images The King Faisal necklace has a total of 83.94 metric carats and was made by Harry Winston in 1952. It stayed in stock until 1967, when it was purchased by King [read more]