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The Court Circular Dearest reader, Norway’s royal jewel box holds more than diamonds and amethysts. It holds family history, a little royal mischief, and some rather extraordinary reminders that not every crown is destined to grace a royal head. There is something particularly fascinating about Norway’s royal jewels. Unlike a collection assembled solely for spectacle,…
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Dearest reader, Three hundred years of history. A magnificent palace chapel. A concert celebrating centuries of Danish royal tradition. And yet, dear reader, the moment that caught our attention was not a grand musical performance, a spectacular gown, or even the return of a much-loved queen to the public stage. It was a seating arrangement.…
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Dearest reader, When discussing royal tiaras, one must be rather careful about ownership. A princess may wear a family heirloom for decades without ever owning it. A grand duchess may have access to an entire vault of historic jewels, yet possess a personal collection quite distinct from the treasures reserved for the dynasty. And this…
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Dearest reader, There comes a moment in every woman’s life when she must ask herself a very important question: Can one conquer New York without wearing orange? Apparently, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands has answered that question with a resounding yes. It is no secret that we have a particular fondness for Her Majesty here…
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There is something about carnelian in sunlight. Turn the stone just slightly and suddenly it glows. Not sparkles. Glows. It is one of those moments when a piece of jewelry stops being simply an object and becomes something else. Something almost metaphysical. You can understand why people have been drawn to colored stones for thousands…
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I cannot remember the exact date. Nor, if we’re being honest, the precise hour. It was fifteen years ago, after all, and apparently even this author is not immune to the passage of time. What I do remember is meeting the King and Queen of Norway. The circumstances of how are perhaps best left for…
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Scotland is the highlight of my year. A few days with friends. A shop at M&S. Charity shops. Cool weather. Fish and chips. A spot of tea. It is really quite difficult to ask for much more. Sourcing in the Highlands can be tricky. The Scottish aren’t particularly known for parting with their heirlooms—or their…