The queen wore the scallop-shell brooch Courtauld Thomson, which belonged to the queen mother, while a framed photograph of Prince Philip could be seen on her table during her annual Christmas broadcast at Windsor Castle.
The 94-year-old monarch opted for his mother’s shell brooch, which, as the name suggests, takes the form of a shell made of rows of diamonds and unique pearls, while several strands of diamonds in varying lengths hang from below.
It was designed by Lord Courtauld-Thomson, son of a famous Scottish inventor, and made in 1919 in London by The Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co., Ltd, before being left to Queen Elizabeth, the future Queen Mother, in 1944 by his sister , Winifred Hope Thomson.
A precious asset, it was used by the Queen Mother to mark her 100th birthday and was left to the monarch when his mother passed away in 2002.
Since then, His Majesty has used it on several special occasions – including when revelation of the Queen Mother statue and marriage of Zara Phillips to Mike Tindall.
The queen, 93, wore the scallop-shell brooch Courtauld Thomson while a framed photograph of Prince Philip could be seen on his table during his annual Christmas broadcast at Windsor Castle (photo)
The monarch, who wore a purple ensemble, combined her outfit with pearl earrings and a trio of pearl necklaces as she headed for a turbulent 12 months.
Pearls were the queen’s first “serious” jewels. When his grandfather George V celebrated his Silver Jubilee in 1935, he gave both granddaughters pearl necklaces.
Princess Elizabeth, then nine years old, received a necklace of three rows of pearls perfectly matched; Princess Margaret, four years younger, was given a two-line version.
Among the collection that Elizabeth owns today are two stunning necklaces; the 18th century Queen Anne pearl necklace and the 50 pearl Queen Caroline necklace, both given as a wedding gift from her father.
A photo of a casual-looking Prince Philip, wearing a light blue sweater and a smart turtleneck shirt, believed to have been taken at Sandringham, Norfolk in 2002, was also seen placed on the table, while unlike the year In the past, there were no photos of his grandchildren or other family members on display.
In today’s message, His Majesty delivered a message of comfort to everyone who ‘just wants a hug’ this Christmas, saying to them: ‘You are not alone and let me assure you of my thoughts and prayers’.
Queen Mother (L) with Princess Margaret, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, wearing the brooch as she leaves Buckingham Palace after the annual Trooping the color ceremony, June 17, 2000 (photo)
Queen Elizabeth II, wearing the scallop-shell brooch Courtauld Thomson, at the inauguration of a new statue of Queen Elizabeth (photo on the left) and at the royal wedding of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall in 2011 (photo on the right)
The Queen Mother wearing the brooch while attending a Christmas Eve service in Sandingham in Norfolk with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. George Carey
Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Scallop Shell Brooch Courtauld Thomson, which belonged to Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mother, during the fifth day of the Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 22, 2019 in Ascot
The monarch spoke of the coming of ‘light and hope’ embodied in the birth of Christ by giving her annual Christmas message at a time when many of her subjects remain separated from their families due to the pandemic.
It has been a challenging year for the Queen who, despite facing numerous difficulties, quickly and efficiently adapted to changes and saw herself as a sign of stability during the pandemic.
Speaking to Vanity Fair, historian Sally Bedell Smith praised Her Majesty’s firm but fair treatment of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s resignation as senior royalty and the speed with which she faced the challenge of attending appointments. real online.
Earlier this year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their plans to step down as royalty, with the Queen agreeing to a 12-month trial period, leaving the door open for Harry to return to the royal family.
Before their resignation, the couple was instructed to abandon their ‘Sussex Royal’ label, as it was believed that the Queen and senior officials agreed that it was no longer sustainable for the couple to keep the word ‘real’ in their ‘brand’.
It was decided that Harry would maintain his military ranks as a major, commanding lieutenant and squadron leader, but would not use his honorary military positions. Harry also remained sixth in line to the throne.
Bedell Smith called the queen’s handling of the royal dispute ‘decisive and firm’, but also ‘human’, and believes the measured response is similar to Her Majesty’s reaction to Princess Diana’s death in 1997.
Among the countless challenges facing the royal family was the scandal surrounding Prince Andrew’s friendship with billionaire pedophile Jeffery Epstein.
Buckingham Palace announced that Andrew would step away from royal duties in the “foreseeable future” in November, after his disastrous attempt to clear his name in an interview with the BBC.
This official wedding photograph, released by the Royal Communications of Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, showing them on the grounds of the Royal Store after the wedding
When the pandemic hit Britain, Bedell Smith claims that His Majesty saw himself as a source of stability for the nation and once again praised the speed with which the monarch adapted to the challenges that the Covid crisis brought.
She says that much of the work the Queen does behind the scenes goes unnoticed and that, strangely, the pandemic has provided a deeper understanding of the monarchy, with “intimate” connections from Zoom de Balmoral and Windsor.
Bedell Smith praised Prince Charles, who has become more appreciated since his recovery from Covid in March, and Camilla, for his work for people affected by domestic violence.
The historian also credited other members of the royal family, including the Wessexes, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, with advancing during the pandemic.
However, there are also many positive aspects to the monarch’s year.
Princess Beatrice and Edo Mapelli Mozzi enjoyed a reduced wedding at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor on July 17.
Details of the ceremony were not released in advance and the two were to be married in the Royal Chapel, followed by a reception in the gardens of Buckingham Palace – but the wedding was postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Beatrice’s father, the Duke of York, accompanied her down the hall, but did not appear in the photos released by Buckingham Palace. The wedding was also attended by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.
Princess Beatrice also made a “last minute request” to borrow the queen’s dress for her surprise wedding, a source said.
The queen’s granddaughter, 31, affectionately known as ‘Bea’, borrowed a dress from Her Majesty’s Norman Hartnell to marry the Italian developer.
A few months later, Princess Beatrice’s younger sister, Princess Eugenie, announced that she is expecting her first child.
The royals, who married husband Jack Brooksbank in October 2018, are expecting the baby in early 2021.
Sharing the news on Instagram, Eugenie, 30, wrote: ‘Jack and I are very excited for the beginning of 2021 ….’ next to pictures of baby slippers and her and Jack smiling.