Royal Pets: Two Royal Corgis from 1941 and 1948

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
via The Royal Collection Trust
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II is known for many things—among them her ever-present handbag and her corgis.  It seems that Elizabeth inherited her appreciation for these sturdy pups from her father, King George VI.  Here, we see the King in 1948 with one of his herd of corgis.  Both King and companion seem quite fixated on something in the distance.  This cheerful image was a favorite of Queen Elizabeth (“The Queen Mother”) and is further proof that despite their occasional ups and downs, the Royals are always kind to their dogs.

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
via The Royal Collection Trust
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Another favorite Corgi of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother was the Corgi which belonged to their daughters Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II) and the Princess Margaret Rose.  Named Dookie, he's pictured here with the young princesses in a photo by Marcus Adams from 1941.

Sunday Sparkle: The Cullinan V

Queen Mary's Brooch
The Cullinan V
The Royal Collection

In honor of yesterday's anniversary of the 1911 coronation, I thought I'd dig up one of Queen Mary's favorite baubles for you to have another look.

At 3016.75 carats, the Cullinan Diamond was the largest rough gem-quality diamond ever mined. In cutting and polishing the stone, nine numbered diamonds were fashioned. This is the Cullinan V.


Centered in a setting of platinum and diamonds by famed jeweler, Garrards, the Cullinan V weighs a whopping 18.8 carats. The diamond is detachable for independent use. The Cullinan V was a gift from the government of South Africa to Queen Mary in 1910. Queen Mary wore the diamond often, and, in fact, during the 1937 coronation wore this stone in her coronet since the Koh-I-Noor diamond had been removed for use in Queen Elizabeth’s (later known as the “Queen Mother”) crown.

Frankly, all I can say in addition is, “Humina, humina, humina.” It’s just too magnificent.

Mastery of Design: Queen Elizabeth’s Cartier Diamond Earrings

 

Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Drop Earrings
Cartier, 1930
The Royal Collection



These earrings by Cartier feature large pear-shape diamonds suspended by diamond trillions and baguettes, set in platinum. They were originally commissioned by The Honorable Mrs. Ronald Greville in 1930. Mrs Greville, a long-time friend of Queen Elizabeth (mother of Queen Elizabeth II, known as The Queen Mother).  When Mrs. Greville died in 1942, she bequeathed the majority of her diamond jewelry (most of it made by Cartier) to Queen Elizabeth.  Today, these personal items are on display as part of the Royal Collection.

Card of the Day: The Marriage of the Duke of York

The Duke of York, son of King George V and Mary of Teck, known to the family as “Bertie,” was the second in line to the throne following the death of his father. “Bertie” never really expected to be King, and, in fact, didn’t really want to be—preferring a quiet life. When he married Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1923, they embarked on a simple life of family-time and public service which the shy Prince found comfortable. However, his brother, The Prince of Wales, had other ideas for his own life and, as we know, famously abdicating the throne, leaving “Bertie” to become King George VI.

The seventeenth in the series of Wills Cigarette Cards commemorating the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary depicts the procession of the marriage of the future King George VI to the future Queen Mother.

The reverse of the card reads:

THE MARRIAGE OF THE DUKE OF YORK


The King’s second son, The Duke of York, and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, youngest daughter of the Earl of Strathmore, were married at Westminster Abbey on April 26, 1923. The bride drove with her father from Bruton Street to the Abbey in closed carriage, but on the return journey, the crowds along Piccadilly and Constitution Hill, cheering and showering confetti, saw her radiant and smiling at her husband’s side. The two were acclaimed anew on the balcony of Buckingham Palace where 123 guests attended the Wedding Breakfast. The last act of Lady Elizabeth before her marriage was to lay her bridal bouquet on the grave of the Unknown Warrior.

The Royal Collection

Pets of the Belle Époque: King George VI and His Corgi, 1948

King George VI and a Corgi, 1948
Baron, Sterling Henry Nahum
Noble Hounds and Dear Companions
The Royal Collection

Though technically not “Belle Époque” in the historical sense, this lovely photo does fall into the category of “Royal Pets.”  Queen Elizabeth II is known for many things—among them her ever-present handbag and her corgis.  It seems that Elizabeth inherited her appreciation for these sturdy pups from her father, King George VI.  Here, we see the King in 1948 with one of his herd of corgis.  Both King and companion seem quite fixated on something in the distance.  This cheerful image was a favorite of Queen Elizabeth (“The Queen Mother”) and is further proof that despite their occasional ups and downs, the Royals are always kind to their dogs.

Saturday Sparkle: Queen Elizabeth’s Cartier Diamond Earrings



Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Drop Earrings
Cartier, 1930
The Royal Collection



These earring by Cartier feature large pear-shape diamonds suspended by diamond trillions and baguettes, set in platinum.  They were originally commissioned by The Honorable Mrs. Ronald Greville in 1930.  Mrs Greville, a long-time friend of Queen Elizabeth (mother of Queen Elizabeth II, known as The Queen Mother).  When Mrs. Greville died in 1942, she bequeathed the majority of her diamond jewelry (most of it made by Cartier) to Queen Elizabeth.  Today, these personal items are on display as part of the Royal Collection.

Saturday Sparkle: The Cullinan V

Queen Mary's Brooch
The Cullinan V
The Royal Collection

At 3016.75 carats, the Cullinan Diamond was the largest rough gem-quality diamond ever mined. In cutting and polishing the stone, nine numbered diamonds were fashioned. This is the Cullinan V.


Centered in a setting of platinum and diamonds by famed jeweler, Garrards, the Cullinan V weighs a whopping 18.8 carats. The diamond is detachable for independent use. The Cullinan V was a gift from the government of South Africa to Queen Mary in 1910. Queen Mary wore the diamond often, and, in fact, during the 1937 coronation wore this stone in her coronet since the Koh-I-Noor diamond had been removed for use in Queen Elizabeth’s (later known as the “Queen Mother”) crown.

Frankly, all I can say in addition is, “Humina, humina, humina.” It’s just too magnificent.