The Beading Gem

One of the most tragic royal stories has to be that of the ill-fated Romanovs of Russia. The last of their line perished in 1918 in a cellar of a house in Yekaterinburg. Their story still intrigues many to this day. A new book, The Romanov Royal Martyrs is out. This family biography is "Based strictly on primary sources, the book offers previously unpublished texts in English." 

The book's beautiful colorized photographs of the Royal Family and their court were done by Russian artist,  Olga Shirnina who graciously allowed me to share in this post.  Her work brought this family and their court to life.

The Historic Royal Palaces celebrated the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria's birth earlier this year by releasing this amazing video which shows the spectacular diamond Kokoshnik Tiara being transformed into a necklace.

This fringe tiara, also known as Queen Alexandra's Fringe Tiara, was commissioned for her 25th wedding anniversary in 1888.  Queen Alexandra, then the Princess of Wales, was the consort of Queen Victoria's eldest son, the future King Edward VII.

Even if you are not a Royal watcher, you can't but help notice the Duchess of Cambridge's choice of simple yet elegant jewelry.  This is someone who has access to fabulous jewelry pieces from the Royal Collection.  But understated is her style preference.  One of her favorite earrings is these lovely pair by British designer, Annoushka Ducas.  She wears them a lot.

It was good timing and not planning that we were recently in Montreal, Quebec, Canada,  just at the start of a fabulous Faberge exhibition (June 14 - October 5, 2014) at the Museum of Fine Arts. We didn't know it was on until we checked out the museum website!  It is an exclusive exhibition in Canada of the largest public collection of Faberge art outside of Russia.

When she was born, no one thought Elizabeth I of England  (1533-1603) would grow up to become queen, let alone one of the greatest queens in history.  Her more than 40 years on the throne brought relative peace and prosperity to England after the unsettling reigns of her half-brother Edward and half sister, Mary and before that, of their father, Henry VIII.

Elizabeth I in her coronation robes

The story of Cleopatra VII (69-30 BC) and her reputation as the lover of not just one but two powerful Roman leaders has endured for over 2000 years. Yet, there was much more to the woman than her perceived ability to seduce men.

Marie de Medici (1575 - 1642) was like her Medici predecessor, the notorious and murderous Catherine de Medici, in that they both came from the fabulously wealthy Italian banking family and both became Regent Queens of France. A stubborn and meddlesome woman, she nonetheless had some artistic aspirations.  Her total lack of political acumen and her endless intriguing led to her downfall.

Nell Gwyn (1650 -1687) was King Charles II (1630-1685) of England's best loved and renowned mistress. A lovely and talented comic actress, she was also generous and famously witty. Unlike the other mistresses, Nell loved Charles for himself and not because he was king.

Yet this quiet, outwardly unassuming woman earned Henry's undying love simply because she was the only one to bear him a male heir.  

Just when her position became secure, she tragically died due to complications following childbirth.  

The two royal brides this year both have impeccable taste but neither wore necklaces to their weddings.

But the newly minted Princess Charlene of Monaco  has a spectacular ocean inspired necklace and tiara commissioned for the occasion.

Both the Van Cleef and Arpels diamond and sapphire Ocean Spray necklace and the Lorenz Baumer Diamond Spray tiara designs were clearly influenced by Princess Charlene's love of the sea.  Not surprising as she is a former Olympic swimmer. Her preference for contemporary styles is also evident especially for the asymmetrical tiara.

Picture Source

Princess Charlotte of Wales (1796 - 1817) was second in line to the British throne after her father, George the Prince of Wales (the future King George IV). But she died suddenly at 21 while he was still Regent standing in for his father,  mad King George III.

Her untimely death changed the course of history. Had she lived, there would have been no Queen Victoria, no Victorian age, no Abdication Crisis, no Queen Elizabeth II and no Prince William for Kate Middleton to marry.

Next Friday, much of the world will be glued to their television sets as they watch the wedding of Prince William and his new Princess. So here are some wedding inspired tutorials to celebrate the event!

Tiaras are by far the most glorious head pieces for brides. But not all brides are into the princess look. I especially loved British artisan and instructor, Angela Smith's alternative to a tiara - this lovely bead and Swarovski crystal fascinator. It's such a unique design for special occasions.

When Isabella of Castile and Leon (1451- 1504) was born, no one ever imagined this princess would grow up not only to inherit the throne but became Spain's most accomplished Queen ever. Her marriage to Ferdinand of Aragon unified Spain. Together this remarkable couple turned a backwater nation into a world power.

Known as Isabel la Católica (Isabella the Catholic) for her devotion to her faith, both Isabella and Ferdinand (the "Catholic Monarchs") attempted to also unify Spain under one religion. This lead to the cruel oppression and later expulsion of the Moors and Jews - the infamous Spanish Inquisition tarnished their reputations. Isabella was also the queen who helped bankroll Christopher Columbus' voyages.

Emperor’s winter robe Victoria and Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum of Design in London has an amazing exhibition on Imperial Chinese Robes  on right now until February 27, 2011. It's like the emperor's old clothes only better.

Lucky visitors get to see the splendor of the Manchu Imperial court dress, shoes and bejeweled hats. The Manchu or Qing dynasty (1644 -1912) was the last to rule China until the revolution in 1912 got rid of the final boy emperor.

It really didn't take long. Just hours after the news broke about Prince William and Kate Middleton's long awaited engagement, jewelers started getting calls from well-heeled women for copies of THE sapphire and diamond ring.