grace. elegance. class.

13
Mar
Coat of arms of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina Motto: Miserando Atque Eligendo - “Lowly, and yet chosen”

Coat of arms of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina

Motto: Miserando Atque Eligendo - “Lowly, and yet chosen”

9
Jan

HAPPY 31st BIRTHDAY to Her Royal Highness Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn, Baroness Carrickfergus.
17
Jul
The Boucheron Honeycomb Tiara The Boucheron tiara originally made for Dame Margaret Helen McEwan Anderson Greville by the French jeweler Boucheron in 1921, was presented as a gift in part of a collection of ten known pieces left to Queen Elizabeth. Having been a well-known figure in British Society, it was at her quiet estate, Polesden Lacey, that TRH The Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth) honeymooned in 1923. The Hon. Mrs. Greville was also a friend of two other Queen Consorts, Queen Mary and Queen Alexandra; in fact, Mrs. Greville played an interesting role in history when she introduced Mrs. George Keppel to her friend’s husband, King Edward VII, beginning a famous “friendship” between Mrs. Keppel and the King. Mrs. Keppel’s granddaughter Rosalind Cubitt (mother of Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwalll) was Mrs. Greville’s goddaughter. However, upon her death in 1942 Mrs. Greville would become better known for the amazing collection she left “To Her Majesty The Queen, with my loving thoughts”. The Boucheron honeycomb tiara as worn by the Queen Mother (pictured above), consists of diamonds set in platinum in a contemporary honeycomb & lozenge design. It was to become Queen Elizabeth’s signature piece after the King’s death, and she wore it consistently throughout her life, well into old age. Most recently it was modified and loaned by HM Queen Elizabeth II to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall in 2006. It is strongly believed that the Boucheron tiara will likely be the tiara Camilla will wear when she is crowned as Queen Consort, alongside Prince Charles at his coronation.

The Boucheron Honeycomb Tiara

The Boucheron tiara originally made for Dame Margaret Helen McEwan Anderson Greville by the French jeweler Boucheron in 1921, was presented as a gift in part of a collection of ten known pieces left to Queen Elizabeth. Having been a well-known figure in British Society, it was at her quiet estate, Polesden Lacey, that TRH The Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth) honeymooned in 1923.

The Hon. Mrs. Greville was also a friend of two other Queen Consorts, Queen Mary and Queen Alexandra; in fact, Mrs. Greville played an interesting role in history when she introduced Mrs. George Keppel to her friend’s husband, King Edward VII, beginning a famous “friendship” between Mrs. Keppel and the King. Mrs. Keppel’s granddaughter Rosalind Cubitt (mother of Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwalll) was Mrs. Greville’s goddaughter.

Lady Greville Tiara

However, upon her death in 1942 Mrs. Greville would become better known for the amazing collection she left “To Her Majesty The Queen, with my loving thoughts”.

Queen Mother

The Boucheron honeycomb tiara as worn by the Queen Mother (pictured above), consists of diamonds set in platinum in a contemporary honeycomb & lozenge design. It was to become Queen Elizabeth’s signature piece after the King’s death, and she wore it consistently throughout her life, well into old age.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall

Most recently it was modified and loaned by HM Queen Elizabeth II to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall in 2006. It is strongly believed that the Boucheron tiara will likely be the tiara Camilla will wear when she is crowned as Queen Consort, alongside Prince Charles at his coronation.

21
Jun
Fantastic resource! Get to know the history of the monarchy with LIFE Books, “The Royals.” A highly recommended read for any royal enthusiast.

Fantastic resource! Get to know the history of the monarchy with LIFE Books, “The Royals.”

A highly recommended read for any royal enthusiast.
21
May
Coat of Arms of Sir James Paul McCartney, Kt, MBE The design of Sir Paul McCartney’s coat of arms which were granted on his 58th birthday in June 2001, not only incorporate his musical career, but also incorporates his Liverpool roots with the crest showing a Liver bird holding a guitar in its claw. The left-facing helmet has an open visor, as is customary for knights. It was officially granted by Hubert Chesshyre, LVO, Clarenceux King of Arms. McCartney had originally applied for the coat of arms in 1997, the year he was knighted, but the death of his first wife Linda from cancer in 1998 delayed its design and approval. The time he spent with fellow band members John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Star are also represented in Sir Paul’s design. The shield, featuring two black curved emblems, is divided in two. The resulting four shapes, resembling beetles’ backs, symbolize McCartney and his fellow Beatles. The two black circles above are representative of records and compact discs, with guitar strings passing over them. The motto ’ Ecce Cor Meum ’ in Latin is Behold my Heart is the title of the oratorio Sir Paul wrote during his first wife’s Linda’s illness. The coat of arms was delivered to McCartney on 31 December 2002.

Coat of Arms of Sir James Paul McCartney, Kt, MBE

The design of Sir Paul McCartney’s coat of arms which were granted on his 58th birthday in June 2001, not only incorporate his musical career, but also incorporates his Liverpool roots with the crest showing a Liver bird holding a guitar in its claw. The left-facing helmet has an open visor, as is customary for knights. It was officially granted by Hubert Chesshyre, LVO, Clarenceux King of Arms.

Paul McCartney Coat of Arms

McCartney had originally applied for the coat of arms in 1997, the year he was knighted, but the death of his first wife Linda from cancer in 1998 delayed its design and approval.

The time he spent with fellow band members John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Star are also represented in Sir Paul’s design. The shield, featuring two black curved emblems, is divided in two. The resulting four shapes, resembling beetles’ backs, symbolize McCartney and his fellow Beatles. The two black circles above are representative of records and compact discs, with guitar strings passing over them.

The motto ’ Ecce Cor Meum ’ in Latin is Behold my Heart is the title of the oratorio Sir Paul wrote during his first wife’s Linda’s illness. The coat of arms was delivered to McCartney on 31 December 2002.

2
Apr
Prince Charles & Jane Priest: a romp down under Being one of the most eligible bachelors at the time, Prince Charles surely knew how to keep himself busy on the beaches of Perth, Australia while on holiday in 1979.

Prince Charles & Jane Priest: a romp down under

Being one of the most eligible bachelors at the time, Prince Charles surely knew how to keep himself busy on the beaches of Perth, Australia while on holiday in 1979.

2
Apr
The Duke & Duchess of Windsor: Jump! When the famous photographer Philippe Halsman asked the Windsors to jump for his lens, they hopped to it! The Jump Book was born in 1952, after an arduous session photographing the Ford automobile family to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary. As the photographer Philipe Halsman relaxed with a drink offered by Mrs. Edsel Ford, the photographer was shocked to hear himself asking Mrs. Ford if she would jump for his camera. “With my high heels?” she asked. But she gave it a try, unshod—after which her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Henry Ford II, wanted to jump too. For the next six years, Halsman ended his portrait sessions by asking sitters to jump. It is a tribute to his powers of persuasion that the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Richard Nixon, Judge Learned Hand (in his mid-80s at the time) and other figures not known for spontaneity could be talked into rising to the challenge.

The Duke & Duchess of Windsor: Jump!

When the famous photographer Philippe Halsman asked the Windsors to jump for his lens, they hopped to it!

The Jump Book was born in 1952, after an arduous session photographing the Ford automobile family to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary. As the photographer Philipe Halsman relaxed with a drink offered by Mrs. Edsel Ford, the photographer was shocked to hear himself asking Mrs. Ford if she would jump for his camera.

“With my high heels?” she asked. But she gave it a try, unshod—after which her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Henry Ford II, wanted to jump too.

Philippe Halsman at work

For the next six years, Halsman ended his portrait sessions by asking sitters to jump. It is a tribute to his powers of persuasion that the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Richard Nixon, Judge Learned Hand (in his mid-80s at the time) and other figures not known for spontaneity could be talked into rising to the challenge.