Duchess of Cambridge Jewellery 1: April-December 2011

[Sister Morphine]

that is one of the tackiest things I have ever seen a princess worn

How is a bracelet with her royal monogram on it, more than likely given to her as a gift, "tacky"? If you go to the Prince of Wales website, in the section for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, you'll notice that's her monogram -- the C with the crown above it. It's not like she's some celebutante like Paris Hilton who decided to have something like that made.

Good grief.

 

[Sister Morphine]

Have you noticed that the C in Catherines cypher appears to have a second smaller C ? Catherine Cambridge perhaps ?

There is no second C. It's just the curlicue of the C as it comes up.

 

[jdcharlie]

I have seen both her sister and father refer to her as "Kate" in comments made to the media before the wedding. And I too, was mainly thinking of William saying "the ring is special as Kate is special" when speaking of his mother's engagement ring being his choice to give to his bride.

Also, in portions of her school yearbooks published by the media, one can see that she was called Kate in school as well.

But her full name is Catherine and therefore it's used in her official title, and most certainly in her monogram. What people call her behind the scenes - even though neighbors, local shopkeepers and old teachers, etc. called her Catherine in interviews (and her sister is likewise called Pip not Pippa) and I've only seen her sign Catherine (pre-engagement) - is irrelevant.

Many people have an official name and one for family and friends. For example, Prince William. There have been several indications that his friends and family call him Will, but we don't because that's not his official and public name. As Kate steps into the public eye, she has every right to choose.

The bracelet is beautiful. I have one and I have charms on it for every special occasion.

I also enjoy mixing gold and silver. My watch contains both so that I can wear any jewelry combo and get away with it. My favorite jewelry set has gold, white and rose gold together.

 

[Mirabel]

I think she should be called Catherine; but I am one of those people who loathe nicknames!
Why oh why give someone a name, if you are going to call that person something else?

 

[Aliza]

I think she should be called Catherine; but I am one of those people who loathe nicknames!
Why oh why give someone a name, if you are going to call that person something else?

Gosh, I wasn't condemning the Duchess; I think whatever she prefers to be called is fine, Catherine or Kate. When I posted that I didn't understand why she made the change, I was referring to William's and her own efforts to be approachable and IMHO - a "Kate" is far more approachable than a "Catherine".

 

[stellam]

Love Kate's bracelet, looks like plain yellow gold. If the bracelet is indeed from Camilla, it is a lovely gesture. I have a gold bracelet with 12 charms on it and each charm has a significant meaning for me, one is a map of Africa a friend gave me when we migrated to New Zealand, one is a set of wedding rings my husband gave me on our 10th wedding anniversary.

I wonder if the bracelet is considered 'tacky' because Kate is wearing it.

 

[Mia_mae]

How is a bracelet with her royal monogram on it, more than likely given to her as a gift, "tacky"? If you go to the Prince of Wales website, in the section for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, you'll notice that's her monogram -- the C with the crown above it. It's not like she's some celebutante like Paris Hilton who decided to have something like that made.

Good grief.

Well as always you post MTE.

It's not just "a C with a crown on it". Sorry to let y'all know but since marrying the future king she received a monogram.
Better to use this 'tacky jewel' that has a history behind it than a huge diamond ring just to let others know you can afford a 2 million dollar ring.

 

[Tiggersk8]

I also have a Charm Bracelet and it was bought for me by my Dad not too long after I was born. My Parents have added to it on and off and I have as well. Nothing tacky at all about it.

I wonder if the bracelet is considered 'tacky' because Kate is wearing it.

Add on that w/the fact the member who posted the original very snobby post never has anything positive to say about Kate, at least that I've seen around here, and I believe you've hit the nail on it's provberial head!!

I've never understood why some feel the need to be so vile about someone they'll never meet. Not only does it do them little service, but it makes for going through certain threads a bit of a trial as well.

And before anything's said...There's a huge difference between pointing out something that's done, said or worn in poor taste when it's legitimately something in poor taste. Quite another when you're just picking on this, that or the other because you've got your own sad agenda against someone who has never done anything personally to warrent it.

 

[Saragli]

It's a rather lovely bracelet, charm bracelets can come off as kitschy and tacky but this one actually looks really nice. And if it is from Camilla, the sentiment behind it is wonderful. It shows how much support Catherine is getting from the BRF!

 

[Princess of Durham]

I also have a Charm Bracelet and it was bought for me by my Dad not too long after I was born. My Parents have added to it on and off and I have as well. Nothing tacky at all about it.



Add on that w/the fact the member who posted the original very snobby post never has anything positive to say about Kate, at least that I've seen around here, and I believe you've hit the nail on it's provberial head!!

I've never understood why some feel the need to be so vile about someone they'll never meet. Not only does it do them little service, but it makes for going through certain threads a bit of a trial as well.

And before anything's said...There's a huge difference between pointing out something that's done, said or worn in poor taste when it's legitimately something in poor taste. Quite another when you're just picking on this, that or the other because you've got your own sad agenda against someone who has never done anything personally to warrent it.

A very nice round of applause!!!

 

[Duke of Marmalade]

I wonder if the bracelet is considered 'tacky' because Kate is wearing it.

I find it tacky no matter who is wearing it. Other examples of tackiness are CP Frederik wearing monogrammed socks or CP Letizia using a Fleur de Lys monogrammed fan or CP Victoria with her zillion almost dog-tag like charm bracelets.

Back to jewellery, I am getting tired of the sapphire Diana-remember combination to every imaginable event.

 

[Aliza]

I find it tacky no matter who is wearing it. Other examples of tackiness are CP Frederik wearing monogrammed socks or CP Letizia using a Fleur de Lys monogrammed fan or CP Victoria with her zillion almost dog-tag like charm bracelets.

Back to jewellery, I am getting tired of the sapphire Diana-remember combination to every imaginable event.

I agree with you; and I do not understand why some people seem so offended by your original post. Many people find monogrammed jewellery tacky, with the exception of signet rings, which I somehow don't think fit into the category of monograms in the same sense as the examples cited in your quote above.

Personally, I own and enjoy a charm bracelet, but many people have told me they dislike it and even though the charms are very small and delicate, it does seem like a bit noisy when I wear it. It's all a matter of personal taste.

If people don't think it's correct to post opinions that are a bit negative about someone's choice of jewellery because "they'll never even meet this person", then perhaps it's also odd to be so defensive on behalf of "a person they're not likely to ever meet". We're only discussing one charm bracelet, not William's choice of a life-partner.

Lighten up, everyone and enjoy a good debate! I know I'm new here, so maybe I'm overstepping, but I think it's become a little serious in here for discussing a round gold disc with a "c" on each side surmounted by crowns.

 

[Princess of Durham]

We're only discussing one charm bracelet, not William's choice of a life-partner

.

Haha, I suspect some people are doing just that.

 

[wymanda]

I think mixing two colours of gold (pink / white, yellow gold / white, silver / yellow) is tacky and it looks odd. I don't like it at all. In my opinon when wearing yellow gold earrings, the rest should be yellow gold as well. And so on.

Is that like that quaint American custom regarding white shoes & Labor Day???????

 

[MRSJ]

Add on that w/the fact the member who posted the original very snobby post never has anything positive to say about Kate, at least that I've seen around here, and I believe you've hit the nail on it's provberial head!!

On the flip side there are many who think Kate can do no wrong and defend her no matter what she says/wears/does......I've seen that 'around here' too.

I think we can all agree that plp can have different opinions on jewlery and plp as long as they're respectful in their opinions......

 

[Duke of Marmalade]

Add on that w/the fact the member who posted the original very snobby post never has anything positive to say about Kate, at least that I've seen around here, and I believe you've hit the nail on it's provberial head!!

Just in case you are referring to my post, maybe you should have a look into the Kate fashion thread where you can assure yourself that I like most of Kate's outfits - not that I have to justify my opinion anyway -, before you start referring to somebody's post as "snobby".

We've been there before - say anything about a beloved royal that is not the full sugar load and people get attacked for it. How boring.

 

[KittyAtlanta]

I think the problem lies with adult people who still wear their charm bracelets. They feel insulted that a type of jewelry that they like was "attacked." I have a very nice one that I stopped wearing when I was 21. I wanted more sophisticated jewelry.

Kate can wear anything she wants, but that's no guarantee everyone is going to like it.

 

[RubyPrincess168]

Catherine's Bracelets

This webpage has pictures clearly showing two different monograms on the bracelet - Catherine's on one side and Camilla's on the other. So it's probably a gift from one 'C' to another.

 

[Cinderella5x]

Is that like that quaint American custom regarding white shoes & Labor Day???????

Don't know and don't know what one has to do with the other...

I wear what I want, when I want, re: jewelry, shoes and clothes. I follow my taste, not American (or any other for that matter) tastes or customs. I was just stating my opinion on mixing gold tones.

 

[HRHHermione]

Catherine's Bracelets

This webpage has pictures clearly showing two different monograms on the bracelet - Catherine's on one side and Camilla's on the other. So it's probably a gift from one 'C' to another.

Thanks for the better pictures! I imagine it was a welcome to the family gift from Camilla, or perhaps was gifted by the Prince of Wales. Either way, it's a very nice piece and it's good to see a visible sign of their support for Catherine.

 

[HRHHermione]

Back to jewellery, I am getting tired of the sapphire Diana-remember combination to every imaginable event.

She's only worn the earrings three times, they're also likely a wedding present. And they go so perfectly with her engagement ring that it makes sense for her to get a lot of use from the set. I'm just happy to see more evidence that she received nice jewellry as gifts- I'm hoping she debuts a few more new pieces on the tour

 

[Princess of Durham]

IMO there is a difference between calling something "tacky" and saying that one doesn't like it. The first carries a judgement and is insulting not only to the person it is directed at but also to all others who might have/wear the same thing. While saying "I don't like it" is merely an expression of an opinion which is perfectly fine and does not carry the implication of judgement OR superiority in terms of taste or style.

 

[Catherine J]

IMO there is a difference between calling something "tacky" and saying that one doesn't like it. The first carries a judgement and is insulting not only to the person it is directed at but also to all others who might have/wear the same thing. While saying "I don't like it" is merely an expression of an opinion which is perfectly fine and does not carry the implication of judgement OR superiority in terms of taste or style.

I concur. "Tacky" is both subjective and pejorative.

I dislike the style of the sapphire pieces, for instance - but would hesitate to call them "tacky" because I happen not to believe that my own taste is the final word in ... well, anything.

Seems to me that many adults forget the lessons they (hopefully) taught their children: there's a world of difference between "you're stupid" and "I disagree".

 

[EIIR]

A monogrammed bracelet is no more 'tacky' than a signet ring with a monogram which just about every male member of the upper class in Britain wears, including male members of the Royal family.

As someone who bought my lifelong best friend a similar (although undoubtedly much less expensive) bracelet engraved with both our initials for her 21st birthday a few years ago I'm sad to discover that she and I are tacky. Here was I thinking it was merely a gesture of my appreciation of her friendship down the years.

 

[Mandarin_Empress]

The charm bracelet is a nice little accessory that adds just the right amount of interest to her otherwise low-key look. It's not flashy to the point of entering into "bling" territory, in my opinion, and doesn't draw too much attention to itself.

I can understand how some people may think that it looks tacky because not everyone likes the idea of cyphers, initials, or family crests on clothing or accessories, but I think the bracelet is tasteful enough.

With more than one charm, though, it would probably draw more attention away from the rest of her outfit (and claims that it's "tacky" may have more merit), but then how do we know she'll definitely add more charms to it, or that she will keep wearing it out in public?

As for the earrings that match the engagement ring, the decision to wear them is not necessarily rooted in Diana sentiment (same with any article of clothing or accessory that has even the remotest connection to Diana). Like with new princesses wearing the same tiaras over and over again, maybe she doesn't have access to a whole lot of earrings at this point. Who knows?

 

[wbenson]

Express.co.uk - Home of the Daily and Sunday Express | UK News :: Revealed, Duchess Kate and a charming gift by Camilla

The Daily Express can today reveal the mystery of who gave the Duchess of *Cambridge the charm *bracelet she simply can’t bear to take off her wrist.

The treasured gold bracelet is testimony to the growing bond between Kate Middleton, 29, and *her new stepmother-in-law Camilla, the *Duchess of Cornwall.

 

[Tilia C.]

I'm wondering: do they really have their own source for this, or are they getting their "inspiration" for this article on the internet, where this topic was discussed on more than one forum?

 

[LovelyKate]

I don't know if this info was posted, but the bracelet worn by Catherine during military event is a wedding gift from Camilla. Camilla has the same bracelet. (source)

 

[ayvee]

I don't know if this info was posted, but the bracelet worn by Catherine during military event is a wedding gift from Camilla. Camilla has the same bracelet. (source)

'A source close to the couple' is a euphemism for this board. This information has been known for the past two days. The Daily Mail uses the same cropped photo I posted showing Camilla's cypher.

By the way, Camilla has a charm bracelet but it's not the same bracelet as Kate's.

 

[muriel]

By the way, Camilla has a charm bracelet but it's not the same bracelet as Kate's.

Agreed, though the concept is quite similar.