The Duchess of Cornwall

The Duchess of Cornwall was appointed to the highest female rank in the Royal Victorian Order, a personal gift awarded by the Queen in recognition of “personal” service to the monarchy.

The announcement, which came on the Duchess and the Prince of Wales’s seventh wedding anniversary, 9 April, illustrates the Queen’s fondness for her daughter-in-law and will be considered a public endorsement of her important role within the family.

It makes the 64-year-old Duchess a Dame Grand Cross in recognition of her commitment to public duties and sees her join an exclusive group of current recipients.

The award was founded in April 1896 by Queen Victoria as a way of rewarding personal service to her and is bestowed independently of 10 Downing Street.

The Duchess has taken on a wide range of patronages and travelled extensively overseas on official visits since marrying the Prince of Wales in a civil ceremony in 2005.

Congratulations to the Duchess. Public opinion hasn't given you an easy time of it but you've made the Prince of Wales visibly happy, Princes William and Harry like and have accepted you and obviously the Queen likes you.

Good job you!

The Royal website has more information on the Royal Victorian Order

Getty photos

Elizabeth Taylor Jewellery Auction

December 13 is the day the impressive collection of jewellery owned by Elizabeth Taylor will be auctioned by Christie's.

Starting with number 5, these are my favourites.

The Taj Mahal Diamond

Set with an inscribed heart-shaped table-cut diamond, within a red stone and jade mount set with table-cut diamonds, the reverse decorated with an enamel latticework motif, hanging from a gold neck chain set with cabochon rubies and old mine-cut diamonds mounted in gold. The heart shape diamond is engraved with the Islamic date 1037 (1627-1628). The gold chain circa 1972.
Estimate $300,000 - $500,000

Sapphire and Diamond Sautoir

A necklace of pave-set diamond and calibre-cut sapphire set in platinum. The pendant is set with a cabochon sapphire of approx 52.72 carats surrounded with calibre cut sapphire and diamonds. The pendant is detachable. Made by Bulgari in 1969.

Estimate $600,000 - $800,000

The Mike Todd Diamond Tiara

Old mine-cut diamonds set in platinum and gold. Circa 1880. Because every girl needs to wear a tiara while cleaning the house.

Estimate $60,000 - $80,000

The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond Ring

A rectangular diamond weighing approx 33.19 with tapered baguette diamonds on the shoulders mounted in platinum. The ring was given to Elizabeth by Richard Burton.

The Prince of Wales Brooch

Designed as a plume of three circular-cut diamond feathers signifying the Prince of Wales, with baguette-cut diamond spines, gathered by a circular and single-cut diamond crown, mounted in platinum and gold, circa 1935

Originally given to the Duchess of Windsor by King Edward VIII while still the Prince of Wales. Among the jewellery auctioned after the Duchess' death, Elizabeth outbid Prince Charles. I wonder if he will be bidding again.

Estimate $400,000 - $600,000

La Peregrina

The natural pearl weighs approx 202.24 grains or 50.56 carats measuring approx 17.35-17.90 x 25.50mm. This pearl dates from the late 16th century. The bail is set with mine and rose cut diamonds in silver. The bail dates from the early 19th century. The necklace consists of 56 natural pearls, 4 cultured pearls and diamond and ruby stations made of platinum and gold. Elizabeth had Cartier make the necklace in 1972. Personally I prefer the seed pearl and platinum chain that accompanied the pearl drop when Richard Burton purchased it in 1969.

Estimate $2,000,000 - $3,000,000

Check back later in the week when I will update the actual selling prices.