Princess Mary was 34 at the time of this photo--the same age that the Duchess of Cambridge is now. I'm struck by how much more elegant, mature, and composed Mary already looked in her earliest years as Crown Princess, compared to Catherine. Mary's hairstyle, tailoring, and expertly restrained maquillage all help. But her jewels (both modern and traditional) play an important role. They are of a scale, worth, and design that are very flattering, and more important, add a great deal of presence. Wish Catherine would get some better advice on her day jewelry. For day engagements she still seems to wear tiny, fiddly pieces that are branded, girlish, and stamped out by the thousands… they tend to bring her ensembles down.
--Previous Message-- : I believe that the necklace is cultured South : Sea pearls. The size and colour of the : pearls are characteristic. : : She has been wearing the necklace since one : of her early Christmases as Crown Princess. : : The Queen's large pearl necklace would be : much more valuable as it has large natural : pearls. : : CP Mary has worn this necklace since at : least 2006 : see : http://danishroyalwatchers.blogspot.com.au/2006/12/christmas-photos-from-fredensborg.html : : She also wore it for the reburial of the : Dowager Empress of Russia in September 2006. : : :