As she walked the aisle of St Paul's Cathedral, the Queen sparkled in a pale mint coat adorned with hundreds of Swarovski crystals and star-shaped flowers by her personal dresser Angela Kelly.Pinned to the stunning coat was the world's most valuable brooch, made from two of the largest pieces of the Cullinan diamond.Featuring a pear-shaped diamond hanging from a cushion-shaped diamond, the Cullinan III and IV brooch weighs 158 carats and is reputedly worth £80 million.The ensemble was completed by a twinkling hat and her favourite pearls.
As a lesson in power dressing it could not have been more masterly.But it was just one of three show-stopping outfits that have made the nation's favourite grandmother the undisputed star of the four-day-long extravaganza.With the eyes of the world upon Britain, and a backdrop provided by so many impressive locations including the Thames and the Mall and a stellar supporting cast featuring the Duchess of Cambridge, the Queen's diminutive figure still stood out.And her choices earned her a thumbs up from the gloved hand of Chanel's chief designer Karl Lagerfeld, a man who is not easily pleased.
At the Buckingham Palace concert, amid pop stars like Jessie J and a hula-hooping Grace Jones, the monarch was the one everybody wanted to see.And it wasn't just because of her gilded evening dress. The 86-year-old's quiet dignity and poise, even without her beloved husband by her side, earned her huge cheers from the crowd.Her appearance at the magnificent River Pageant was also carefully coreographed with all the experience of 60 years.Even with a flotilla of 1000 boats and Kate's pillar-box red McQueen outfit, it wasn't hard to make out the guest of honour.There she stood, shimmering in diamond white, sprinkled with Swarovski crystals, and accessorised with the eight-pointed Jardine Star brooch.And in an age fascinated with youthful beauty, she proved that maturity, wisdom and grace can be just as charming.
