The Jewels of HRH The Duchess of Windsor

One word that goes hand in hand with HRH The Duchess of Windsor is JEWELS. The Duchess collected an amazing array of jewellery in her lifetime, most purchased by the Duke and presented to the Duchess. If the Duke could to make her Queen, he ensured that the Duchess looked every inch a Queen.

One of the first pieces given to the Duchess, before their marriage, was this bracelet to which the Duke would add crosses of precious stones. This is something the Duchess loved to wear.

One of the Duchesses favourite jewellers was Cartier, they produced some stunning pieces for her and created her range of animal jewellery such as the panthers.

At most functions the Royal Pair attended, the Duchess would be ablaze with jewels, no other lady could touch the Duchess when it came to jewellery.

Although estranged from her husbands family, the Duchess did have the same love of jewels that indeed the Dukes mother, Queen Mary, also had. Both women would have had so much to talk about as Queen Mary would wear an amazing amount of jewellery at any one time.

Pearls have been always been a staple of the royal ladies and the Duchess was no exception. This set was a favourite of the Duchess and worn frequently.

The flamingo brooch was also another favourite and was a statement piece the Duchess loved to wear.

The Duchesses jewels were her legacy as they were all sold, apart from a few personal bequests, mainly to the Kent branch of the Royal Family, at an auction, raising millions for medical research.

 

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White Lodge Centre in Chertsey.

I had the privilege to visit White Lodge this week as part of my company's sponsorship program that award funds to local causes. The centre is set in woodland and caters for disabled babies, children, teenagers and adults and their families too, which makes it an amazing resource in the local area.

Everyone was so nice and my colleague and I were shown around the many facilities including a hydrotherapy pool and sensory rooms. The young children we saw in the nursery were so well looked after, almost on a one to one basis. We arrived just before lunch was served and this took place in the wonderful sunny and bright room that they spend their time.

We next went to the mother and toddler group, again a wonderful atmosphere and also there were a number of dads too. The emphasis was on fun and enjoyment and again, we arrived just as lunch was being served. It's group also acted as a support group for each other.

Finally we arrived where the adults enjoyed their activities, including pc's and art work. All of these were supervised if the adults needed help. It didn't matter how severe the disability, they are encouraged to do whatever they would like to do. There was also gym equipment, therapy rooms, a lounge area and a wonderful restaurant.

All in all, the White Lodge Centre provide an amazing and essential service to its clients and their families. If only more centres like this were available for people with Cerebral Palsy and Autism, it would make such a difference to so many people.

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HRH The Duchess of Windsor

One of the most discussed members of the Royal Family during the 20th century is undeniably the Duchess of Windsor. Many things have been levelled at the Duchess but I think that she was not as bad as she was painted during the 1930's. it is probably easy to say that from the comfort of 2013.

True that HM King Edward VIII gave up his throne for the then Wallis Simpson, but they had a wonderful marriage for 35 years, only ending when the Duke died on May 28 1972. It was only then that the Duchess was accorded the rights of a member of the Royal Family, even though as a junior member.

The one thing that tackled with the use was the status of the Duchess as she has been specifically excluded by the Letters Patent of 1937 of being a Royal Highness. This hurt the Duke beyond measure and however this was decided, it made the Duchess have a different status form that of her husband. A morganatic marriage had been refused at the time of the Abdication, but this is what they ended up with.

The Duke was born a Prince with the style of HRH. When he abdicated, he gave up the throne and the Imperial titles, this simply meant he reverted to his former style and titles. This made, by convention, the Duchess to be styled HRH. Indeed in their homes and in the Dukes presence, the Duchess was known as Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Windsor.

The title issue concerned the Duke for the rest of his life and he always ensured his wife was accorded the same status as himself. This appears to have been result of pettiness from the Court.

The couple would have been an asset to the Royal Family had they been allowed to return to the UK, but this was not allowed and the threat of stopping the Dukes allowance of £25,000 was used to ensure the couple stayed outside the UK.

The Duchess died in April 1986 and was buried next to the Duke at the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore, in the grounds of Windsor Castle. The funeral service was memorable as it did not mention the name of the Duchess once. Once she was laid beside the Duke, she was reunited and the greatest love story of the 20th century came to an end.

One of the legacies of HRH The Duchess of Windsor was her fabulous jewel collection, each piece chosen for the Duchess by the Duke.

 

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Mango Lounge in Windsor

This week I was enticed away from my favourite Indian Restaurant in Windsor. Usually when I want an Indian meal, I go to the Viceroy of Windsor. I have used this establishment for many years for both sit in meals and also for take outs. The food is wonderful and always very tasty.

However, on a recommendation this week, I ventured into Mango Lounge, which is situated just by the Riverside station.

The decor looked very pleasant, warm pinks, high ceilings and a good amount of space around each table setting, this was looking and feeling very good. The staff were excellent, very attentive and seemed to know when we wanted something before we did!

The menu was superb with some amazing twists of Indian favourite dishes, for example Rabbit Tikka and Guinea Fowl Korma. Although these dishes may sound slightly off the wall they were actually delicious. Every dish was superbly presented and all the food was piping hot when it arrived at the table.

I think I now have a new favourite restaurant in my home town and will certainly be going back to the Mango Lounge as I want my friends to experience what I did last week.

For more information visit Mango Lounge Windsor

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Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Yesterday was an exciting day, I had arranged for my friends at the office to see one of my favourite musicals, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. This is one of the feel good musicals and has just about every emotion contained in it.

I was lucky enough to see the London production when it opened at the Palace Theatre in the West End and many times after that. It really was and is a couple of hours of pure escapism and leaves you on quite a high as you leave the theatre with your ticket stub and programme.

The above photo is the touring cast that I saw yesterday at the New Wimbledon Theatre. Jason Donovan was in the lead as Tick, a role he created in London. Although he has performed the role man times, he still seems a little uncomfortable in the role of a drag queen, whereas the other members of the cast seem to embrace it totally.

The tour has been around the UK and I understand there have been tours around the World. Although the tour is a scaled down version of the West End show, it is still a great show to see and there is still the star of the show, Priscilla in all her glory. Some of the songs have been changed to reflect the Broadway version of the show and I have to admit, I prefer the original songs, perhaps as I know them.

Of the show comes to a theatre near you, please go see it and enjoy the story that is placed before you.

 

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HRH Princess Lilian, Duchess of Halland 1915-2013

The Swedish Royal Court has announced the death of HRH Princess Lilian, Duchess of Halland at the age of 97. HRH was the widow of HRH Prince Bertil, Duke of Halland. They became close during the war and their love affair continued to blossom, so much so that Lilian moved to Sweden and they lived very discreetly. They were totally devoted to each other but due to the death in 1947 of the heir but one, they could not marry as Bertil's brothers has married commoners and renounced their rights to the throne. Bertil had to be available should anything happen.

Eventually when Bertil's nephew became King in 1976 and married a commoner, the future Queen Sylvia, Lilian and Bertil were at last given permission to marry and Lilian was given her husbands titles in full as recognition of their devotion to each other. By this time, both were too old to have any children.

TRH led an active life as part of the Royal Family and Lilian was accepted by everyone in her new role. She became a much loved person in Sweden and indeed the World.

The love story continued until Prince Bertil's death in 1997, however Princess Lilian continued her active life and was a favourite of both the King and Queen. The Princess was always present at the annual Nobel Prize Awards and took her place next to the King and Queen.

The former model from Swansea will be buried with full Royal Honours next to her husband in Sweden. One of the most enduring love stories of the 20th century has come to an end. At the time of her death, Princess Lilian, Duchess of Halland was the oldest member of the Swedish Royal Family.

 

 

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Tiara's of the British Royal Family

The British Royal Family has a superb collection of personal jewellery, some of which has been commissioned and others that have been acquired through marriage and and also tragedy.

A modern tiara commissioned by HM The Queen using a gift of Brazilian Aquamarines, it compliments a suite comprising of a necklace, earrings and bracelet.

The Delhi Durbar Tiara, commissioned by the Late Queen Mary for the Delhi Durbar in 1911. The tiara had upright emeralds on the top, these were removed after the Durbar as they formed part of the Cambridge Emeralds.

HM The Queen wearing the Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara. This is one the most familiar tiara's seen as it is one of the favourites of Her Majesty. In this photograph, the tiara has pearl droplets in the circles, however, these can be removed and replaced with emeralds, so it is an adaptable piece. Queen Mary purchased the tiara in the 1920's as many pieces came onto the market.

The Poltimore Tiara was purchased in 1960 for HRH The Princess Margaret and it was worn on her wedding day. The Princess kept and wore the tiara for the rest of her life. It was sold for far more than the £5000 paid when it was auctioned after the Princess's death in 2002.

The Russian Fringe Tiara was worn by HM Queen Alexandra and was in the style of the Russian peasant head dress, the Kokoshnik. This fashion was started by Queen Alexandra's sister, HIM The Empress of Russia, and this would have been where the influence came from as the sisters delighted in wearing similar clothes, jewels etc.

This is just a few of the many Tiara's that are used by the Ladies of the British Royal Family, HM The Queen will lend pieces of jewellery to other members of the Family and they will then become identified with the wearer.

 

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The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

I have been lucky enough to attend four performances at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden over the past few years. Today I was fortunate enough to see one of my favourite operas, La Boheme by Puccini. There really is nothing that can beat listening to a full orchestra, it really is amazing and these days, this is rare, especially in theatre. Most of the music these days is created by a small team in most theatres, but not at The Royal Opera House, it has the full blown orchestra.

La Boheme by Puccini is one of the most popular operas and that was evident this afternoon as the house was full. The performance started at 12.30pm and you may think that it would be full of the stereotypical opera goers and I thought that too. However, this afternoon there was a complete cross section of society and the dress code was everything from the twin set and pearls to jeans. I was in the jeans group! And also all age groups too, so is opera still elitist? I would say not, perhaps the ticket price for the top seats may prohibit some people, but you can get tickets starting at very low prices.

One thing you will notice at The Royal Opera House is that the performers do not use microphones. They project their voices to completely fill the auditorium and that is truly amazing. The performers are true artists who continue to improve throughout their careers.

Photographs taken by me this afternoon.

 

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Tiara's

Tiara's are worn by most royal ladies for official State functions, here are a few and their owners.

HM The Queen of Norway.

HM The Queen of Sweden.

HM The Queen of Denmark.

TM The Queen of the Netherlands and The Queen of Spain.

 

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HRH The Duchess of Cornwall

Since becoming the wife of HRH The Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall has become a major figure within the Royal Family. HRH has undertaken many engagements, both with her husband and also alone. Many charities have asked HRH to be their patron and has proved herself a tireless champion for any causes.

As wife to the Heir to the Throne, HRH has to attend many State functions and when she does so, she has access to one of the most magnificent jewel collections in the World.

The Duchess wears some of the jewels previously worn by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth and they look as magnificent on the Duchess as they did on the late Queen.

Apart from the diamond jewellery worn by the Duchess, HRH is also wearing The Queen's Family Order, this is in the gift of The Queen and only given to the ladies of the Royal Family. Each monarch has their own Family Order and The Queen normally wears her Fathers Order and her Grandfathers Order. In time, HRH will also wear the Order of her husband when he becomes King.

The above tiara worn by HRH had not been seen or used for many years until loaned to the Duchess by The Queen. It is now worn on many occasions and was first worn by the person who commissioned it for the Delhi Durbar in 1911, Queen Mary.

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall has shown that she will be an asset not only to the Royal Family, but also the country when she eventually becomes Queen.

 

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A Good Day to Die Hard

Last night, in an almost empty cinema, I watched the latest Bruce Willis movie, Good Day to Die Hard. It was full of action from start to finish and the time just disappeared. It was pure escapism and if you like this genre of film, then it is well worth watching.

Some of the action was amazing and you are left wondering how on earth they managed to achieve it.

There is also a story as this is the fifth movie in this series and if you enjoyed the previous four, you will enjoy this one too. It was slightly Bourne in the action and that made it very watchable indeed.

So if you get chance and want an entertaining evening, go and see this film.

 

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