Duchess of Cornwall Jewellery 5: November 2007 - February 2008

[Lady Bluffton]

“A double dose of the Queen Mother's Mrs. Greville legacy” (Lady Bluffton, 2007, post#16) looked way too heavy on her. I would not be surprised seeing such pileup of rocks on the Brunei royal ladies or the ladies of the Persian Gulf countries. In my personal opinion, a smaller necklace or less strands would have looked much better.

Al bina: I believe you and I agree on that issue...I am still recovering from the glare from the first photos I saw of Camilla's latest adventure in the Windsor vaults.

One of the photos that was posted -- maybe by our dear Warren -- looked like Camilla was wearing a bib o'diamonds. Funny, that thought.

What will we see next from her????!?!?

 

[noldorlord]

Fantastic! Here's a full-length photo of the duchess in the Greville necklace.

Rebranded: How dazzling Camilla dumped her dowdy image | the Daily Mail

Perfect photo montage Thanks for the Link btsnyder

Lovely full length shot, scroll down and see the others as well.

 

[RubyPrincess168]

I feel that the heavy-looking necklace togethor with the pale blue dress and stooped posture gives an impression of weights used to help sink a person when scuba diving. The tiara adds to this effect by giving an impression of pushing downward whereas the necklace drags downward. The earrings are lost in it all, or perhaps aid in the downward feeling.

Originally Posted by GillW
I can't help imagining HM with a wry smile (smirk?), offering the gaudiest stuff from the vaults - "Here dear - you'll look LOVELY in this...."

Truely funny! I'd probably do it if I was in her place.....

 

[noldorlord]

I feel that the heavy-looking necklace togethor with the pale blue dress and stooped posture gives an impression of weights used to help sink a person when scuba diving. The tiara adds to this effect by giving an impression of pushing downward whereas the necklace drags downward. The earrings are lost in it all, or perhaps aid in the downward feeling.

Nothing that a good back brace wont fix.

 

[RubyPrincess168]

I'm not sure it can fix the drowning-queen look she's got going on. How old is too old to learn regal bearing/posture?

 

[ysbel]

I like the crown and the necklace but not both together. The Queen doesn't look like a person to set someone up. HM simply has too much dignity.

 

[Elly C]

I have been enjoying reading the posts under this thread for some time now & I have swung from side to side with regard to Camilla's taste in jewellery on the big occasions. I've come to the conclusion that Camilla is often reviled because her approach is so very different from the other senior royals. We are so used to the Queen & Princess Anne's less flamboyant approach that we criticise Camilla for adopting a different style. IMOP, Camilla really enjoys wearing her jewels - I don't see this as "showing off" but a real appreciation of all the wonderful treasures which she now has access to. What woman wouldn't experiment with so much to choose from? And who wouldn't get it quite right on every occasion? I can also believe that Prince Charles has a pretty strong input into the jewels Camilla wears, & would perhaps, be keen to see the historic pieces brought out of the safes & put to the use they were designed for - to enhance the monarchy at important state occasions.

 

[georgiea]

I saw a photo of Queen Mother and she had the diamond Greville necklace that Camilla wore. She also had on the tiarra. But the different was that the Queen Mother just wore the single, three strand not the five. In my opinion it looked better than way.

 

[jcbcode99]

Did the Queen Mother not wear this same combination in South Africa sixty years ago in a Post WWII world? I think she wore it again in 1951, and probably a few other times there weren't any cameras around.She was playing with and enjoying the wearing of her jewels, too, and I'm sure that this level of criticism was not leveled at her in so mean a manner as it is at Camilla. Also, even with the tiara, five strand necklace, earrings, and the engagement ring, Camilla still wouldn've barely glimmered next to Queen Mary or Alexandra.
I thought she looked wonderful, I'd love to have the chance to wear that necklace. I'm sure we'll see it in the future as the three stand and someone will complain about that, too.
And, wasn't Camilla's mother (Rosalind Cubitt) the goddaughter of Mrs. Greville? While these jewels may not have been left to her mother, there is a sentimental connection there, as well and I'm sure Camilla enjoys wearing them for a three fold purpose--1. Her family connection 2. Her husband's family connection 3. Who wouldn't love wearing those jewels????
As I've said before, I"m just happy to see the jewels again!

 

[Al_bina]

Al bina: I believe you and I agree on that issue...I am still recovering from the glare from the first photos I saw of Camilla's latest adventure in the Windsor vaults.

One of the photos that was posted -- maybe by our dear Warren -- looked like Camilla was wearing a bib o'diamonds. Funny, that thought.

What will we see next from her????!?!?

It has been kind of you to comment on my post.
Upon seeking professional advise from her inner circles (fashion advisers hired by the Clarence House) and getting a final approval from Prince Charles, Duchess of Cornwall may surprise us again. To show pieces from the Windsor vaults is a part of her job, I believe. It may safely be said that the Windsor vaults are leveraged to assist Duchess of Cornwall to reinforce her position within the British Royal Family.

 

[ysbel]

It may safely be said that the Windsor vaults are leveraged to assist Duchess of Cornwall to reinforce her position within the British Royal Family.

The original use of diamonds was not as a fashion accessory but as a talisman or holy stone of power that kings revered for their magical presence against their enemies. So from the beginning, diamonds held a political purpose. Later royals began to wear diamonds but the purpose of wearing enormous royal jewels has historically been to solidy the king's position and that of his wife. Only in the last decades have the average man and woman been able to afford diamonds and therefore diamonds have taken on a new role of being fashion accessories to accentuate a woman's overall appearance.

However the use of diamonds and precious jewels as a fashion accessory is a relatively recent use of the jewels and so if the BRF is using the vaults to solidify Camilla's position as the wife to the heir to the throne, they are following the older and more traditional use of precious jewels.

 

[Al_bina]

Thanks for fully understanding the point I have made in regard to historical pieces of jewellery. When it comes to solidifying the position of Duchess of Cornwall by means of jewellery, I would not have used this way in this particular situation (the Uganda visit). Duchess of Cornwall will have her time to dazzle. This is my personal view, and I may fail to grasp the intricacies of the whole situation.

 

[georgiea]

However the use of diamonds and precious jewels as a fashion accessory is a relatively recent use of the jewels and so if the BRF is using the vaults to solidify Camilla's position as the wife to the heir to the throne, they are following the older and more traditional use of precious jewels.

That is an interesting point of view about Camilla and Charles using the older and more traditional use of precious jewels. Maybe that is why Camilla used the five strands instead of of three. I guess looking at it that way, she is making her role as a traditional queen consort.

But still I think three strands would have been more attractive and dazzling.

 

[ysbel]

Thanks for fully understanding the point I have made in regard to historical pieces of jewellery. When it comes to solidying the position of Duchess of Cornwall by means of jewellery, I would not have used this way in this particular situation (the Uganda visit). Duchess of Cornwall will have her time to dazzle. This is my personal view, and I may fail to grasp the intricacies of the whole situation.

I don't know the intricacies of the present situation either but why do you think its inappropriate for the BRF to use jewels like this for Camilla for this visit in particular?

 

[ysbel]

That is an interesting point of view about Camilla and Charles using the older and more traditional use of precious jewels. Maybe that is why Camilla used the five strands instead of of three. I guess looking at it that way, she is making her role as a traditional queen consort.

But still I think three strands would have been more attractive and dazzling.

Since they are the Queen's jewels, I think the Queen would have to agree for her jewels to be used this way. But now that I look at the picture again, I think the crown and necklace combination could have worked with a simply cut high neck single color gown. The complicated neckline of the dress makes the necklace look awkward and I don't know if cutting down the necklace to three strands would have done any good.

 

[Al_bina]

I don't know the intricacies of the present situation either but why do you think its inappropriate for the BRF to use jewels like this for Camilla for this visit in particular?

There is nothing inappropriate in giving jewels to the wife of the Heir Apparent. Given the presence of Her Majesty, it would be deemed expedient for Duchess of Cornwall to slightly tone down her outfit by using less jewellery. As said earlier, Duchess of Cornwall will have her day to wear all the historical and modern pieces of jewellery she chooses. I may be wrong due to my ancient Asian perspective "the mother-in-law takes the centre stage" on the issue.

 

[auntie]

To me, Camilla's wearing these jewells is a (maybe subconscious) statement, as if to say: "I waited 35 freaking years to be here and wear this so there is no stopping me now! Hallelujah!!! "
Seriously speaking, whilst the jewells are grand, it is to al laccounts overdone, including the fluffy hairstyle.

 

[georgiea]

But now that I look at the picture again, I think the crown and necklace combination could have worked with a simply cut high neck single color gown. The complicated neckline of the dress makes the necklace look awkward and I don't know if cutting down the necklace to three strands would have done any good.

In my opinion, the dress's front was designed around the five strands. I think either wearing a simple high neck, single color gown or three strands would have made her look more elegant. I hope who ever Camilla is consulting with about her royal look has her best interest at heart.

 

[COUNTESS]

Camilla gets advice. Unfortunately, in this instance, it is not good advice. As some have stated he stooped posture makes it look as if she is being dragged down. The gown, itself, is fine. Just too much of a good thing, when it came to the jewelry. Her hair is fine. A darn site better than the stringy look some others in the family sport. The tiara looks very nice on her. She, unfortunately, looks older than her years. Smoking did not help. In her instance, less is more.

 

[Incas]

The five strand definitely made a huge statement, and wouldn't surprise me if that was the intention. Personally, a bit over the top. But, isn't the whole idea of Kings and Queens and etc. a bit over the top in 2007? The very titles convey by-gone eras. So one would hardly expect anything less than the full theatrics, during no less than a Commonwealth gala.

 

[georgiea]

I have been thnking... Camilla sometimes when she picks accessories-jewelry and hats-sometimes goes over board. Her hats sometimes are very large. But in most cases I really like her style.

 

[Elspeth]

Let's not get into the "I hate Camilla, she's soooo awful..." mud-slinging, please. I've just deleted a couple of posts that were way off topic for this forum, and I hope that'll be an end of it.

Elspeth

Royal Jewels moderator

 

[noldorlord]

The Look

What we must remember is that that this was a Royal Function and the royals don’t just pop on a tiara and jewels whenever they feel like it. It is a dictate that HRM’s are to appear in full regalia.
Looking at these two pictures together I find that booth Lady’s look lovely. I feel that it is a matter of what we have became accustomed too.

Rebranded: How dazzling Camilla dumped her dowdy image | the Daily Mail

Looking at some of the other European Royals and the amount of jewels that they wear. It is a matter of time, time for us to acclimatise to the trapping of the new crown life. Maybe the younger royals will also pick up on the look-it is after all very Chanel at the moment.

 

[Madame Royale]

Noldorlord,

I'm not sure what event it is you're actually talking about.

If you refer to the Commonwealth Heads Of Government Banquet, no, that is not a royal function but a Commonwealth one. It just happens that it is deemed appropriate for Her Majesty, as a royal and as Queen of 16 out of the 53 Commonwealth countries, to present such an image as we would expect of a monarch.

And HRM's? I'm not sure what you mean..perhaps Her Royal Majesty?

...time for us to acclimatise to the trapping of the new crown life

Again, you're not making much sense, I'm sorry.

 

[noldorlord]

Slap! Next time I’ll type slower and think longer about my sentences.

 

[auntie]

Looking at some of the other European Royals and the amount of jewels that they wear. It is a matter of time, time for us to acclimatise to the trapping of the new crown life. Maybe the younger royals will also pick up on the look-it is after all very Chanel at the moment.

I am sure that if the other royals would have acsess to more jewells they would BLING us with them, most modern royal ladies are not independently wealthy, the borrow or take from a family fund and I have a bigger jewellery box then them.

 

[ysbel]

There is nothing inappropriate in giving jewels to the wife of the Heir Apparent. Given the presence of Her Majesty, it would be deemed expedient for Duchess of Cornwall to slightly tone down her outfit by using less jewellery. As said earlier, Duchess of Cornwall will have her day to wear all the historical and modern pieces of jewellery she chooses. I may be wrong due to my ancient Asian perspective "the mother-in-law takes the centre stage" on the issue.

I think the Uganda visit while important to the leaders of Uganda is not one of the annual events that is of historical importance of the Queen acting as monarch of her Kingdom. These events like Opening of the Parliament, Trooping of the Color are traditional events that HM's subjects identify her most with and it would be in very bad taste for anyone to outshine HM in those events.

The Uganda visit is somewhat like the Norway visit where the Queen first gave Camilla the Delhi Durbar tiara. Important surely but one which the Queen could easily let another member of the family outshine her.

But it has happened that a royal that is junior to HM has upstaged the Queen at a major event and I agree with you there at these majestic historical events it shouldn't happen. The incident a previous member wrote about the time Diana wore a new hairstyle at the Opening of Parliament and knocked the Queen's annual speech before Parliament off the front page was definitely not the type of happening that the Queen wanted repeated. The Queen in her simple tastes may not have fathomed how a simple hairstyle could have been more interesting to people than her speech about the plans for the Government in the comming year but once she made that mistake, I imagine she did not let that one repeat again. But the Queen is well aware of how magnificent jewels can draw attention so she must have felt pretty safe to lend Camilla the big jewels at this event.

 

[noldorlord]

I do agree with you ysbel. Also because of the war years the Queen may a simpler tastes in jewels. Her Majesty has also spent enough years on the throne to feel at ease with her position, but I do feel that she is laying heavy ground work, paving the way for an uncertain future.

 

[Picmajik]

HELLO! Photo gallery – Latest celebrity photos - hellomagazine.com, HELLO!
Another photo from Hello this time. I think she looks more polished than I expected, the posture is the only thing that irks me at times. I do like how relaxed and comfortable that Charles and Camilla look on this visit. I would like to see a different hairstyle once in a while with a tiara but I think she is still managing better than most people would in the same situation.

 

[GillW]

HELLO! Photo gallery – Latest celebrity photos - hellomagazine.com, HELLO!
Another photo from Hello this time. I think she looks more polished than I expected, the posture is the only thing that irks me at times. I do like how relaxed and comfortable that Charles and Camilla look on this visit. I would like to see a different hairstyle once in a while with a tiara but I think she is still managing better than most people would in the same situation.

I'm sorry but this pale blue dress has to be the most unflattering one Camilla has ever worn - it does nothing for her figure and makes her shape look terrible compared to some of her other formal gowns which have been much more flattering.