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Process for borrowing HM jewels in BRF
Posted by JasonD on October 25, 2018, 10:55 pm
You know, I’ve always been intrigued on what the process is for say Duchess of Cambridge borrowing a jewel from HM’s collection.
Let’s face it, I don’t think Catherine sits there flicking through old Majesty magazines, sees something that catches her eye, and then drops a text to HM to see if she could pop around for a cupa and to pick up ex trinket!
I know we’ll never know, but I wonder whether Catherine’s stylist considers options (based.on what they know, an internal catalogue type doc, or perhaps it is old Magesty mags), she then runs the proposal past DoC, and if latter likes the idea/ piece, then passes it up to the DoC’s Private Secretary etc. That person then contacts HM’s private secretary who checks on availability (condition, storage location etc), then mentions the request to HM during their morning briefing. In general, I suspect HM would have very little objections, and so gives the nod, leaving the private secretaries to sort logistics out. There would be some sign-out/ sign-in process no doubt by the PA etc...
I remember a documentary some years ago, where the Private Secretary was letting the Queen know that one of her sons (I forget who now) had requested the Queens flight helicopter, to which the Queen looked at the proposed itinerary and said more or less - makes sense, I don’t see why not, so go ahead and let it happen. Always reminded me of an older teen asking their parents if they could borrow their car for some purpose or other.
But what do I know! Perhaps DoC does slink over to BP late on a Friday after HM has taken off to Windsor for the weekend, goes through those steel storage cupboards in the basement, and dusts off the various original jewelers boxes that the piece was originally presented in. Then, every now and again she says ‘Oh, what a lovely surprise! I’ll put that on the top of my maybe pile.....’
I strongly suspect that the initiative comes directly from the Queen as they are her personal jewels, some of which she still wears regularly. But whether HM has let it be known that specified jewels are "available" or whether HM makes an offer after she hears what a royal lady plans to wear on a specific occasion, is less easy to gauge. I think the latter is more likely. I do, however, suspect that some items which HM has lent to the Duchess of Cambridge might be "permanent loans" -- for example the diamond earrings which the Duchess wore so frequently in the early years of her marriage.
I think it is safe to say that some items, such as the Greville tiara, have been given to the Duchess of Cornwall as "permanent" loans.
Perfect timing for this thread JasonD! In relation with an exhibition of their Wedding Outfits at Windsor Castle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex released some accompanying audio recording, which details how she borrowed Queen Mary's Diamond Bandeau Tiara from the Queen:
The bride’s veil was held in place by a diamond and platinum bandeau, lent by the Queen. On public display for the first time, the bandeau is formed as a flexible band of 11 sections, pavé set with large and small brilliant diamonds in a geometric design. At the centre is a detachable brooch of ten brilliant diamonds. The bandeau and brooch were bequeathed to Her Majesty by her grandmother Queen Mary in 1953.
‘When it came to the tiara on the day I was very fortunate to be able to choose this very gorgeous Art Deco-style bandeau tiara,’ the Duchess of Sussex recalls. ‘Harry and I had gone to Buckingham Palace to meet with Her Majesty The Queen to select one of the options that were there, which was an incredibly surreal day, as you can imagine.
'That was the one that I think as we tried them on stood out; I think it was just perfect because it was so clean and simple, and I think also at that point an extension to what Clare and I had been trying to do with the dress, which was have something that could be so incredibly timeless but still feel modern.’
‘Every girl’s dream,’ the Duke interjects. ‘To be able to try on a tiara and funnily enough the one that suited the best, the one that looked the best on you without question. I shouldn’t have really been there; it was such an incredible loan by my grandmother. Very sweet.’
Amazing coincidence TRW. So interesting. Also, Harry’s comments as well. You would think that him growing up around the jewels that his mother wore might have desensitized him to this. Thanks for posting..
I thank you for this information. I do love the expression "The Queen to select one of the options that were there"....it seems that she had the choice between several tiaras...
Previous Message
Perfect timing for this thread JasonD! In relation with an exhibition of their Wedding Outfits at Windsor Castle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex released some accompanying audio recording, which details how she borrowed Queen Mary's Diamond Bandeau Tiara from the Queen:
The bride’s veil was held in place by a diamond and platinum bandeau, lent by the Queen. On public display for the first time, the bandeau is formed as a flexible band of 11 sections, pavé set with large and small brilliant diamonds in a geometric design. At the centre is a detachable brooch of ten brilliant diamonds. The bandeau and brooch were bequeathed to Her Majesty by her grandmother Queen Mary in 1953.
‘When it came to the tiara on the day I was very fortunate to be able to choose this very gorgeous Art Deco-style bandeau tiara,’ the Duchess of Sussex recalls. ‘Harry and I had gone to Buckingham Palace to meet with Her Majesty The Queen to select one of the options that were there, which was an incredibly surreal day, as you can imagine.
'That was the one that I think as we tried them on stood out; I think it was just perfect because it was so clean and simple, and I think also at that point an extension to what Clare and I had been trying to do with the dress, which was have something that could be so incredibly timeless but still feel modern.’
‘Every girl’s dream,’ the Duke interjects. ‘To be able to try on a tiara and funnily enough the one that suited the best, the one that looked the best on you without question. I shouldn’t have really been there; it was such an incredible loan by my grandmother. Very sweet.’
Apologies I've just started another thread on the Duchess of Sussex's tiara choice.
I suspect a choice is offered. I don't think the option is there is say what do you have in a sapphire? She does seem to be appearing in a wider selection of what I would describe as the Queen's jewels - often removed from her by time or nor having ever been worn by her but with a deep UK history. They are not overseas gifts for example.
I suspect she is being specifically modelled with the public to define the line of succession (not to William & herself) but to Charles with them in next of line.
Be more interested to see if we can ever get Camilla out of that damn Greville tiara and a pearl choker!
Previous Message
You know, I’ve always been intrigued on what the process is for say Duchess of Cambridge borrowing a jewel from HM’s collection.
Let’s face it, I don’t think Catherine sits there flicking through old Majesty magazines, sees something that catches her eye, and then drops a text to HM to see if she could pop around for a cupa and to pick up ex trinket!
I know we’ll never know, but I wonder whether Catherine’s stylist considers options (based.on what they know, an internal catalogue type doc, or perhaps it is old Magesty mags), she then runs the proposal past DoC, and if latter likes the idea/ piece, then passes it up to the DoC’s Private Secretary etc. That person then contacts HM’s private secretary who checks on availability (condition, storage location etc), then mentions the request to HM during their morning briefing. In general, I suspect HM would have very little objections, and so gives the nod, leaving the private secretaries to sort logistics out. There would be some sign-out/ sign-in process no doubt by the PA etc...
I remember a documentary some years ago, where the Private Secretary was letting the Queen know that one of her sons (I forget who now) had requested the Queens flight helicopter, to which the Queen looked at the proposed itinerary and said more or less - makes sense, I don’t see why not, so go ahead and let it happen. Always reminded me of an older teen asking their parents if they could borrow their car for some purpose or other.
But what do I know! Perhaps DoC does slink over to BP late on a Friday after HM has taken off to Windsor for the weekend, goes through those steel storage cupboards in the basement, and dusts off the various original jewelers boxes that the piece was originally presented in. Then, every now and again she says ‘Oh, what a lovely surprise! I’ll put that on the top of my maybe pile.....’
MarcA - I see your point and agree that The Duchess of Cornwall is being somewhat "boring" in her jewel selection.
But I have a couple of thought and wonder if any of the other members have any other takes on her predicament.
Firstly, I do not think that Camilla is not one to be "Grand". I think she is much more comfortable in a pair of wellies and tweed jacket the in pearls and diamonds.
I think she has taken the Queen's lead and treats her jewels as part of her 'uniform" wearing appropriate pieces for the events she attends.
Secondly, I think that she realizes her "place" in that she is the wife of the PofW and, as such, does not want to upstage either her husband or Her Majesty or, in the case of a State Banquet, Her Majesty's guests.
She (wisely) does not temp the press to make a story when none should exists. She would be mindful not to wear a new/different tiara at the State Opening of Parliament as this might undermine the importance of the event (remember Diana's new hair cut???) - lesson learned!
I think that Charles likes to see her in nice things and she makes an effort to dress for him when she can (such as the concert where she wore dear granny's necklace).
This is much in the same vein as Queen Mary wearing ankle length dresses even when they were out of fashion but she knew The King liked her in them.
Thirdly, I think she knows that her time will come and she will have access to a vast array of jewels. However, even after QEII's passing I think she will tread a thin and quiet line to be respectful of HM's memory and not look to be too eager to fill her shoes.
Here too, I think that she will follow the advice of Charles and perhaps the public relations people at The Palace. While they sometimes get it wrong, I think they are doing better at gauging the mood of the nation and letting The Duchess of Cornwall move slowly into the limelight.
Hi Bryce, I actually agree with you. I think though that perhaps one of things that has made the Duchess retreat to her same old same old was the huge furore over the Saudi pieces she debuted some time back.
I also think she's a barbour and wellies girl but along with the POW has decided to keep things as they are knowing a pool of well recognised and less controversial pieces will be coming her way.
However I'd also say that again I think she'll play it very safe when the POW becomes King due to her still controversial status and the pieces she'd access associations with the Queen.
Previous Message
MarcA - I see your point and agree that The Duchess of Cornwall is being somewhat "boring" in her jewel selection.
But I have a couple of thought and wonder if any of the other members have any other takes on her predicament.
Firstly, I do not think that Camilla is not one to be "Grand". I think she is much more comfortable in a pair of wellies and tweed jacket the in pearls and diamonds.
I think she has taken the Queen's lead and treats her jewels as part of her 'uniform" wearing appropriate pieces for the events she attends.
Secondly, I think that she realizes her "place" in that she is the wife of the PofW and, as such, does not want to upstage either her husband or Her Majesty or, in the case of a State Banquet, Her Majesty's guests.
She (wisely) does not temp the press to make a story when none should exists. She would be mindful not to wear a new/different tiara at the State Opening of Parliament as this might undermine the importance of the event (remember Diana's new hair cut???) - lesson learned!
I think that Charles likes to see her in nice things and she makes an effort to dress for him when she can (such as the concert where she wore dear granny's necklace).
This is much in the same vein as Queen Mary wearing ankle length dresses even when they were out of fashion but she knew The King liked her in them.
Thirdly, I think she knows that her time will come and she will have access to a vast array of jewels. However, even after QEII's passing I think she will tread a thin and quiet line to be respectful of HM's memory and not look to be too eager to fill her shoes.
Here too, I think that she will follow the advice of Charles and perhaps the public relations people at The Palace. While they sometimes get it wrong, I think they are doing better at gauging the mood of the nation and letting The Duchess of Cornwall move slowly into the limelight.