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Queen Elizabeth Nigeria 2003 Sapphire Bracelet
Posted by Crowne on June 8, 2021, 8:20 am
Forgive me if this has been mentioned before but I don't remember the sapphire bracelet being pointed out from the 3rd Dec 2003 CHOGM in Nigeria. Previous posts have concentrated on the necklace and earrings but the sapphire bracelet also looks like no other I have seen worn by QEII, and it is only logical if this is a demi-parure that it may include a bracelet to go with the necklace and earrings.
The best (but not good) image on Getty is as below but you have to zoom in on the bracelet.
Re: Queen Elizabeth Nigeria 2003 Sapphire Bracelet
I personally don't subscribe to the baggage issue theory. The Queen descended the steps of the plane on arrival wearing one of the brooches, and if some baggage had been left behind I think it would have been put on the next flight out. I don't think the Queen would borrow lots of jewels (the exception of a tiara from Lord Plunket was very last minute). Leslie Field in an article recalls how she had to remove the word 'borrowed' from a draft of her book as the Palace said the Queen doesn't borrow!
I think the most likely explanation is that, as is her custom, these jewels were gifts from Nigeria and maybe some other neighbouring African Commonwealth countries. One may well have been given as a gift during that trip. They haven't been worn at any other time as it may be a bit embarrassing being given jewels from a country with much poverty. All of the brooches I like but the Queen has so many others to choose from. One, and maybe two, of the diamond brooches look like they could be modelled on African flowers? The other jewels such as necklaces and earrings I don't like and the Queen has much better looking ones to choose from for other occasions.
Whatever the true explanation is, it was certainly an odd trip from the jewels perspective!
Re: Queen Elizabeth Nigeria 2003 Sapphire Bracelet
I recall this picture and trip HM made to Nigeria. The Queen also wore some very girly jewels such as a golden heart shaped pendant. The jewels look like very sentimental and personal pieces and I doubt very much HM would have wanted to wear such personal belongings of someone else who may be spotted in them some time after her debuting them. I could be wrong however but I just can't see the Queen wearing jewels which may be dawned later by someone else, it would be just tasteless.
Regards,
Dave.
Previous Message
Forgive me if this has been mentioned before but I don't remember the sapphire bracelet being pointed out from the 3rd Dec 2003 CHOGM in Nigeria. Previous posts have concentrated on the necklace and earrings but the sapphire bracelet also looks like no other I have seen worn by QEII, and it is only logical if this is a demi-parure that it may include a bracelet to go with the necklace and earrings.
The best (but not good) image on Getty is as below but you have to zoom in on the bracelet.