The Cullinan Diamond: discovered January 26, 1905

Just over a century ago in the town of Cullinan, South Africa, one of the world’s most famous diamonds was discovered.

Frederick Wells, surface manager of the Premier Diamond Mining Company, uncovered a huge diamond in a mine owned by Sir Thomas Cullinan. The stone was named for Cullinan and was purchased from him by the Transvaal government. It was then given to King Edward VII as a birthday gift and as a sign of loyalty from the newest portion of the British Empire. The Transvaal had been under Boer control, but at the conclusion of the Second Boer war in 1902, it became British territory.

The Cullinan was cut into three large parts by Dutch jeweler Joseph Asscher. The three big portions were eventually cleaved into 9 large gem-quality stones and small fragments. The largest polished gem from the stone is referred to as Cullinan I, or the Greater Star of Africa. It weighs in at a whopping 530.2 carats. The second largest gem, known as Cullinan II or the Lesser Star of Africa, weighs 317.4 carats.

These massive gems remained with the British Royal Family, and are still seen today. Cullinan II is mounted in the brow band of the Imperial State Crown, seen above. Cullinan I is mounted within the sceptre, which the Queen holds in her coronation photos.

The chips are worn as pieces of jewelry. The Queen wears a large pear-shaped ring that is a cleaving of the Cullinan, and Cullinans III and IV were worn as brooches by Queen Mary.

The Cullinan Diamond was discovered 105 years ago, and is still leaving people awestruck. Happy birthday to a legend.

With thanks to RoyalBlog.nl, you can see photos of William’s final days in Australia.

Prince William in New Zealand and Australia

A team of experts are currently trying to identify a set of bones discovered at Germany’s Magdeburg Cathedral. They believe they may have found 10th century Anglo-Saxon princess Eadgyth, the sister of King Athelstan and the granddaughter of Alfred the Great.

Tests on the bones are still pending at Bristol University in England, and if conclusive, will prove that it is indeed Eadgyth – pronounced Edith – whose remains were wrapped in silk and sealed inside a lead coffin. It will be the oldest remains of an English royal ever discovered.

Eadgyth’s description is reminiscent of Queen Marie of Romania: both were born charismatic British princesses who were sent abroad to marry well. Eadgyth became the wife of Otto I, the Holy Roman Emperor. The former Marie of Edinburgh wed Crown Prince Ferdinand of Romania.

Eadgyth was born at the beginning of the 10th century and her brother, King Athelstan is considered the first king of England.

Image: Sacred Destinations

The Independent

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Mandy

When your husband is 6’5″, you may feel a bit dwarfed. So what do you do? Crown Princess Letizia knows.

Letizia, a former newsreader, married Crown Prince Felipe of Spain on May 22, 2004. Since then, the already elegant Leti has had her image honed to perfection. That includes even making the height ratio attractive.

To close the gap in their height difference, special shoes are designed for Her Highness to maximize her stature. In the photo below – during a visit with the Sarkozys – you will notice that the princess’ shoes have ‘boosters’ on them:

A pair of black boosters:

Sleek gray:

A Handsome Pair:

The darker colors look more stylish than the lighter colors. I wouldn’t mind wearing a pair in deep navy blue, myself. To the rest of the ladies in the audience: would you wear these shoes?

The lovely Sophie, Countess of Wessex, is being honored by her mother-in-law with the Royal Victorian Order.

The Countess, 45, is being recognized for her service to the Queen and to the monarchy. The RVO, founded in April 1896 by Queen Victoria, is given to people ”who have served the Queen or the monarchy in a personal way”, according to Buckingham Palace. It is a personal gift from the Sovereign.

To see the different grades and photos of the order, see Wikipedia: Royal Victorian Order.