Camilla's jewels?

Just when we thought that things were smooth sailing for Camilla, controversy has reared its head yet again. This time its about jewelry.

It seems that Camilla wearing jewels is big news. Her engagement ring came from the collection of the late Queen Mother. She wears tiaras from the collection of Her Majesty Elizabeth II and stop the presses! One would think that the only thing to top her wearing these tiaras is if she were granted the Royal Family order, which is at the personal discretion of the sovereign.

I've mentioned in a previous blog posting that I think wearing jewellery previously owned is bad luck. Just my personal picadillo. I might however revise that notion if I were lent some of the fabulous royal jewels of priceless provenance. However, Camilla is in a different situation than I am. As the wife of the sovereign she will be entitled to wear whatever happens to be in the royal collection, including pieces formerly worn by Diana herself. As the wife of the heir to the throne, she needs to look the part. As the wife of the Prince of Wales, shouldn't she, of all people, wear a jewel with the Prince of Wales feathers?

The original owner of the jewel in question, was Queen Alexandra, who as Princess Alexandra, wife of the future King Edward VII, received this pendant as a wedding gift in 1863. Now admittedly Queen Alexandra was a much beloved figure. Did we see people up in arms when the piece was worn after her death by Diana? No, because it was entirely appropriate for her to wear it. As is the case with Camilla.

When will people stop seeing Camilla as encroaching on the memory of Diana? Or stop denying Camilla a legitimate place in the royal family?

© Marilyn Braun 2006

Royal look-alikes

You've seen them on the street and probably snickered. You know them, the couple who wear identical jogging suits, and think they look cute, when they look anything but. It's even been said that when a couple has been together long enough they even start to look like each other. Sometimes it's blissful symmetry, other times it's just plain awful. Sarah and Andrew and more recently Charles and Camilla have been seen in matching kilts, however this is not the first time we've seen a royal couple look alike. Royalty may not have jogging suits, or at least not wear them in public, but at least they dress alike in style.

Before it all went awry. I'm sure no one laughed at them when this picture came out but where did Charles end and Diana begin? Was this the first sign of trouble?






Sometimes they even do matching pained expressions, proving that if a couple is together long enough they will start to look like each other or their pets.






When they work together they wear matching uniforms. Quick, count who has more medals!





And if they don't dress alike, they're mannerisms are curiously...curious...








© Marilyn Braun 2006