You know those earrings that Kate Middleton, now the Duchess of Cambridge, wore to her royal wedding? Well they were not from a big name on Bond Street, but a company that was able to make a small bespoke commission such as Kate's and her sister's one- off pair of earrings. Those dangly earrings that had everyone wondering where they came from were in fact from a small jeweller, Robinson Pelham, tucked away in a Pimlico, something of a backwater next to smart Chelsea and known-to-the-world Westminster.
According to the press release from the jewellers, the design of the earrings was inspired by the family's new coat of arms that includes acorns and oak leaves. The style is in keeping with the 1936 Cartier Halo tiara lent to her by the Queen for the wedding day and, in a nod to the all-British wedding, the earrings were made by UK craftsmen. You can see how the scroll motifs on the tiara are echoed in the top section of the earrings that sit against the lobe.
The firm also made Pippa Middleton's floral motif earrings as well as the tourmaline and diamond pendant and earrings worn by mother of the bride, Carole Middleton.
The boys, father Michael Middleton and brother James, were not left out with gold stick pins for each of them, one with a golden acorn, the other a golden leaf. Unfortunately these details, like the little diamond pavé acorns dangling in the centre of Kate's earrings, were lost on TV spectators on the big day.
Mr & Mrs Middleton commissioned the earrings for their daughter's wedding, as would any parent wanting to make the big day that bit more special. But hang on, these aren't just any parents and Kate wasn't any normal bride. A fact that had a friend in something of a tizz as she sat at my kitchen table drinking Laspsang Souchong tea yesterday. My friend has a keen eye for royal jewels. And she had an interesting point. "What is the use of having all those fabulous jewels that belong to the royal family sitting in a safe if Kate is going to wear something brand new and of far less value than anything the Queen could have lent her? The tradition of royal jewellery is about having magnificent jewels for really important occasions and this, I think, counts as one. Are we going to lose the tradition of royalty wearing their jewels?" "If Kate isn't going to wear the royal jewels, then they might as well sell them off and save on the insurance and maintenance," was her parting remark.
Well she does have a point though I can understand that the Middletons wanted to put their mark on the wedding. But maybe jewellery wasn't the best way to do it. Afterall, the Queen has one of the most magnificent jewellery collections in the world.
