Monday 19 September marked as a historical day – one of the grandest state funerals of the world’s most loved monarch – Queen Elizabeth II. From the day since she sadly passed away, it’s been bitter sweet to see and hear all the touching tributes that have been made to her Her Majesty and how her death has touched almost everyone in some way.
Despite being one of the most famous people in the world, the Queen still remained an enigma to all of us. Throughout decades of her reign, her kindness and humility shined through her duty and service but also her actions, and at many times absence of them. She has also consistently radiated positivity and well being through her colorful outfits, radiant smile and infectious positive mood and curiosity.
Mourning and funeral traditions have always been special for royals, consisting of centuries old traditions and customs, with every small detail being thoroughly arranged and thought of. Fashion and especially jewelry is also a very important part of the funeral.
Royal family members have been honoring her Majesty with the choice of jewelry and many other details though the final processions for her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
Compared to previous processions and receptions, senior royal family members, especially ladies have dressed more solemnly for the funeral: hats were larger and more decorated, black veils covering the whole face and more standout pieces of jewelry have been chosen.
Male members of royal family have been wearing military uniforms (working royals) , black or dark navy suits / tuxedos with black ties and their military or royal medals.
The Queen Consort – Camilla
Camilla, the Queen Consort, looked very elegant in a fitted coat dress with lightly pleated skirt. She completed her look with a floral hat and a diamond and sapphire brooch. Former Duchess of Cornwall is known for her love for floral and feathered hats, just like this one.
Her brooch has been an interesting choice, considering that the official mourning jewelry for royals is usually pearls: Hesse Diamond Jubilee Brooch.
According to British Vogue, the heart shaped pin is featuring the number 60 in Slavonic numerals wrought in diamonds and surrounded by a cabochon sapphire at the top and two large sapphire drops at the bottom belonged to Queen Victoria. The Hesse Diamond Jubilee Brooch was displayed in an exhibition of Queen Victoria’s jewelry and was not seen again until it was given to Duchess of Cornwall back in 2005. She has been wearing it for her multiple foreign tours and also for the Diamond Jubilee of the Queen Elizabeth
This brooch was chosen not only due to its link to the Late Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebration but also due to it’s shape – an open heart which symbolized close relationship between the Late Queen Elizabeth and the new Queen Consort. Her Late Majesty has famously expressed her wish for Camilla to be granted the title of Queen Consort upon Charles’s ascension to the throne.
By choosing such a historical and iconic piece, Camilla also expressed her respect to the institution that she has grown so close to and is now representing as the Queen Consort.
The brooch is a very statement piece, but it looked very balanced with the rest of the outfit of Camilla. Her choice of coat dress had simple but defined structure and straight lines that has made a perfect background to the iconic jewelry piece.
Princes of Wales – Catherine
The New Princess of Wales has always been very attentive to the details when it comes to her looks. She is leading by example of Her Late Majesty and former Princess of Wales and using jewelry and outfits as a way of diplomacy and communication.
She looked very elegant in her coat dress, which is one of her favorite outfit formulas and has become her signature look. The coat was from British fashion designer Alexander McQueen who has been choice of the Princess of Wales for many significant occasions, including her wedding. Duchess of Cambridge is also known for preferring British brands for her looks as a gesture of support for British designers.
Kate has chosen the perfect jewelry for the funeral: drop pearl earrings which have been o gifted to Her Majesty on her wedding day in 1947 and shows the close bond between Catherine and the Queen. The earrings have been worn by Princess Kate almost daily throughout mourning period. Another famous and symbolic piece of jewelry that Kate was wearing was the four stand diamond and pearl choker that she worn for Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral and have formerly been worn by Queen Elizabeth and Princes Diana. Kate was also photographed wearing it on the way to the celebration of the wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
The overall look of Duchess was very elegant and cohesive: all of the elements of her look were in very classical style, which could have made her look a bit outdated, however since each item was slightly understated all the details worked well together. A good frame was provided for her statement jewelry that was meant to honor the memory of the Queen.
Photos by: Chris Jackson ; Graham Photo & Unknown
Princess of Charlotte
Princess Charlotte, the daughter of Prince and Princess of Wales and third in line to the throne has joined her parents and her older brother George to attend the funeral of her great- grandmother. Seven year old was the youngest royal at the funeral and was dressed in total black to mourn Queen Elizabeth like the rest of the family.
Princess Charlotte has honored the Queen’s memory with a piece of jewelry. This was Charlotte’s first appearance in public wearing a brooch. A diamond horseshoe brooch was a gift to her from Queen Elizabeth, whom she affectionately called Gan-Gan. It was also a loving gesture to the Queen’s love for horses.
Countess of Wessex – Sophie and Duchess of Sussex – Meghan Markle
Sophie, Countess of Wessex has also paid a tribute to the queen with her diamond strawberry shaped brooch. The Queen have loved strawberries and only liked to have them during their season. Countess of Wessex was dressed in an embroidered button down dress and floral hat, looking classic and traditional
Meghan Duchess of Sussex, was dressed in a cape dress by one of her favorite designers Stella Mc Carney. Meghan also, just like Kate has chosen this designer for one of her wedding dresses. During her short time as a senior royal Meghan has demonstrated very modern and fresh royal fashion. Duchess who is usually going with less is more principle, went with a very loaded look this time. Asymmetric disc shaped large hat, opera gloves, cape style of the dress have played together into a dramatic look which is not very common for Meghan.
She has accompanied her look with diamond and pearl earrings, gifted to her by the Queen and worn to their solo engagement back in 2018. Meghan has also been wearing the earrings gifted to her by Queen Elizabeth for the mourning processions with her other elegant looks.
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