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The Princess in Lavender and Sentimental Jewelry for Events Commemorating the Late Queen

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The Princess in Lavender and Sentimental Jewelry for Events Commemorating the Late Queen

The Princess of Wales chose a lavender Emilia Wickstead design for a Buckingham Palace reception honoring the late Queen Elizabeth II on what would have been her 100th birthday.

Before the Palace reception, many Royal Family members, led by the King and Queen, visited the British Museum to view the final design recommendations for the national memorial to the late Queen.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. 

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. 

Others attending included Lady Sarah Chatto (Princess Margaret’s daughter).

The King and Queen with the Edinburghs. (You can just make out the Gloucesters in the background and Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the far left.)

Family members and guests viewed a scale model of the new national memorial commemorating the life of Queen Elizabeth II, a tribute that will overlook The Mall in central London. We learn more from Hello’s story. 

At the British Museum, Charles and Camilla were shown the final designs for a memorial to the King’s late mother. One of these features a likeness of his mother, in the form of a maquette which depicts her in her 20s and in her Order of the Garter robes from the early years of her reign. Another artwork features Charles’ late father, Prince Philip, in his naval uniform.

Here you see the Duchess of Edinburgh looking at a miniature of the Queen’s statue.

A quick video of the Edinburghs looking at the display. 

Here you see scale models of the late Queen and Prince Philip by sculptor Martin Jennings. 
Then it was time for a reception at Buckingham Palace’s Marble Hall, where the Prince and Princess of Wales joined the festivities.

More on the celebration via this Hello story. 

Guests enjoyed champagne and a ‘QEII tribute’ cocktail, a non-alcoholic twist on her favorite Dubonnet served with lemon, rosemary, and tonic. Hand-crafted bunting by palace staff using repurposed historic drapes and curtains was strung from the ceiling, while The Band of the Household Cavalry provided a lively backdrop of contemporary songs.

A wide view of the party. 
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And from The Daily Mail’s article. 

The reception was designed to celebrate the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II on the anniversary of her birth, including guests from 45 of the patronages she supported including Cancer Research UK, the British Red Cross Society, Jockey Club, Royal Kennel Club and the Army Benevolent Fund.

Below, the Princess Royal at the reception. 
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It was a delight to see the Duke of Kent at today’s celebration. 
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And his sister, Princess Alexandra. 
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Here you see the birthday cake honoring the late Queen’s birthday, as well as those of three special guests turning 100 today. 

Among those celebrating birthdays today is John Jervois, shown here chatting with the Duchess of Gloucester. 
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And here you see the Princess greeting the centenarian. 

We learn more about Mr. Jervois via the Mail’s piece. 

John Jervois, who served with the Royal Signals in Second World War in the Far East, stood up to greet the King. Charles was heard wishing him a happy birthday and they had a warm chat.

Speaking afterwards, John said he used to get lots of presents when he was a child because everyone remembered his birthday as it was the same as the Queen’s.

On being at Buckingham Palace and meeting the King and Royal Family, he said: ‘It’s extraordinary. I didn’t think it would happen to somebody like myself.’

He also recalled as young man climbing onto the roof of a building in Regent Street to watch the Queen’s Coronation procession.

Mary Wood also shares the same birthday; she is among the group of guests turning 100 today. 
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We return to The Daily Mail’s coverage, one more time, as it includes the King’s reaction to Ms. Wood’s birthday.

Is it your birthday today?’ he asked as he gave her a card. ‘Oh how wonderful. The same as my Mama. That’s marvellous!’ Queen Camilla told her: ‘You don’t look old enough to be one hundred!’

Mrs Wood said afterwards: ‘I came here to meet the late Queen when she celebrated her 80th birthday as mine was also on the same day. And now I have met her son. It’s been wonderful and so unexpected. I have followed the Royal Family my whole life.’

Here you see the three centenarians marking their birthdays today (in the front row), along with family members.
Here you see the third of the three guests celebrating their 100th birthday today, 100-year-old Joan Illingworth, as she gets ready to cut the big birthday cake. 

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The Telegraph reports, “When 100-year-old Joan Illingworth, tasked with cutting a large cake to share with 190 guests, found the knife difficult to manage, the King – who has had a lifetime of training in such matters – smiled and said: “Let me do that.”

The Duchess of Edinburgh speaking with guests. 
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During the reception, the Princess spoke with Tony Gledhill, age 88, who received high honors for his heroism while serving with the Metropolitan Police Force.

More from The Telegraph’s piece by Hannah Furness.

The Princess of Wales, greeting visitors over their cake and Champagne, clasped an emotional George Cross recipient. Tony Gledhill, 88, told her that shortly before his wife of 67 years died, she had urged him to attend the event even on his own.

Hugging him and holding tightly to his hands, the Princess told him: “We’ll keep in touch? You must, if you want to? Writing? Please do.”

Afterwards, Mr Gledhill, a trustee of the VC and GC association, said the Princess had been “fantastic”.

A quick video of the Princess and Mr. Gledhill shared by The Mail’s Rebecca English. 

A group photo of Royal Family members memorialized the occasion.

From left to right: The Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, the Princess of Wales, the Prince of Wales, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, the Princess Royal, the Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Alexandra, and the Duchess of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace. 

The Royal Family posted a video about the reception. 

And here is the Kensington Palace Instagram post from this morning marking the day. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by The Prince and Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales)

Now, for our glance at what Kate wore. Today’s dress is believed to be a bespoke design by Emilia Wickstead, in a shade similar to another Wickstead style the Princess has worn multiple times, the wool-crepe dress seen below right. Unfortunately, the color looks a little off in the center photo from today’s reception; I believe the actual color is closer to the photo shown on the left and in the older Emilia Wickstead dress.

 The new dress is longer, has more structured, padded shoulders, and shorter sleeves that are what I would call bracelet-length. The bodice and waistline are quite different, with deft detailing creating a point of interest at the lower bodice, and a full, slightly flared skirt. It has slight similarities to the designer’s Collinson Dress.  

The Princess repeated her Ralph Lauren ‘Celia’ calfskin pumps ($750). 

She wore the Bahrain Pearl Drop Earrings. 

And one of the late Queen’s many three-strand pearl necklaces. I believe the first time we saw the Princess wearing this item was for a luncheon for Governors-General of the Realms attending the late Queen’s funeral in September 2022.

I’ll leave you with one more photo of the Princess from today’s reception.  

I hope to see you tomorrow or Thursday. Prince Louis has a birthday on Thursday, and I’m hoping a new photo of the young man will be released to mark the occasion. 

VIDEOS:

Buckingham Palace released this video on social media covering the event at the British Museum. 


Buckingham Palace also released a video of the King addressing the nation on what would have been the late Queen’s 100th birthday. Here is a portion of that speech. 

And here is the full address. 

 

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Monique

Tuesday 21st of April 2026

I have always loved the Emilia Wickstead designs through the years, although while I love the color of this dress-I am not a fan of the fussy darts etc on the top front of this dress. I would find them on anyone to be aging, as opposed to clean lines such as the other design by Emilia Wickstead pictured in this post in the lavender color that I recollect Kate wore on her visit to Canada when Charlotte was young. A less fussy design would have made for a nicer backdrop for the three stand pearls as well, which was a lovely tribute on Kate’s part to the late Queen.

Indie

Tuesday 21st of April 2026

I find the royal women to be dressing for different seasons, which is sometimes a problem when dressing in April!

Catherine may have had the three-strand pearl necklace extended to suit her taste and stature, which is fine, though they now look almost too long to me.

Her lilac dress is quietly pretty. The bodice is intriguing and creates a nice frame for jewellery. I expect we will see this dress worn again.

I’m trying hard to like Sophie’s dress but I think it looks a little big on her. How lovely to see the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra participating in events - especially this one.

Anna

Tuesday 21st of April 2026

The three centenarians look fantastic!

Rebecca

Tuesday 21st of April 2026

I hate to nit pick this lovely lady, but I do wish Kate would consider the employ of a professional makeup artist at this stage. Like many women, I've noticed my skin change with time (things are certainly less forgiving!). It is now harder than it was in my 20s and 30s to apply products in an integrated layer without it caking, flaking, or settling into lines. I notice today that Kate's bronzer is a bit too heavy and could benefit from more blending on the cheekbones. I also think Kate could have benefited from a bolder lashes to open up the eyes and far less brown eye shadow, which I find to be unnecessarily heavy on her youthful face.

Otherwise, I adore the vintage feel of the lilac dress with the pearls.

Mia

Tuesday 21st of April 2026

Did anyone else notice how deftly Catherine removed Mr Gledhill’s hands from her waist? I admit I was a little startled to see them there!

Sg-chi

Tuesday 21st of April 2026

@Mia, yes! What a pro.

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