This week Australia was host to special visitors.
Our Head of State King Charles III arrived with Queen Camilla for a short visit on the way to a Commonwealth Conference in Samoa.
Sadly on this occasion the royal couple cannot visit Brisbane as originally planned due. The King's ongoing Cancer treatment has meant he must curtail long and exhausting tours.
They arrived in Sydney on Friday night after the long flights from London, but still looked remarkably fresh.
Queen Camilla wore the Australian Wattle brooch, which was originally given to the late Queen Elizabeth II on her initial visit here in 1954. The brooch came on each subsequent visit to our shores.
Back in 2016 I bought my own replica of the Wattle Brooch when we were in London. Like many tourists, we went on the Buckingham Palace tour and ended up in their gorgeous gift shop.
Unsurprisingly, I ended up bringing home my own rhinestone version of this Australian designed white and yellow diamond brooch.
My mother told me about this piece when I was a little girl and I love to see tradition being maintained.
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| Sunday church in Sydney |
Of course, I am always interested in the royal fashions. Camilla has found her own style and always looks polished, understated and elegant, as befits her position. The fact she is in my own age bracket makes me particularly interested in what works for her.
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| National War Memorial in Canberra |
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| Parliament House, Canberra |
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| National Botanic Gardens, Canberra |
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| Greeting by Indigenous Australians |
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| An Aussie Barbeque in Sydney |
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| Cruise on Sydney Harbour |
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| Final appearance at Sydney Opera House this afternoon. |
There were numerous other meetings and visits over the five days: political and other particular interests for His Majesty, and several charities in which the Queen is involved.
The royal couple were well received by large crowds at designated events, and will need a rest day before the next leg of their tour.
The royal couple were well received by large crowds at designated events, and will need a rest day before the next leg of their tour.
From time to time, Camilla is seen carrying a Chanel handbag, lucky lady.
The occasional bottle of Chanel No 5 is as close as I get to touching on the amazing Chanel brand.
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I recently went with a friend to see a new Ballet:
'Coco Chanel: the Life of a Fashion Icon', a performance by the Queensland Ballet.
We loved it, of course.
The Ballet was a full length production, covering all the major events of Chanel's very colourful life.
The following images are from Google Images:
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| The design of her logo |
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Another very enjoyable trip to the theatre was a 'date night' for the Red Cardinals.
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We went to see the lovely British actress and television personality, Joanna Lumley, live on stage talking about her life and travels. In recent years she has been making wonderful documentaries as she goes to places such as India (where she was born), Japan, the Silk Road, the Spice Road, and many more. Her charming personality was as evident on stage as in the series, and we loved every minute. If you are interested in seeing far away lands, her travel shows make for very enjoyable viewing.
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Hope you are all well.
Have a great week.
XXXX
I have seen Joanna Lumley in many countries, but never along the fascinating Silk Route across Asia, through the Middle East and into Eastern Europe. Not bad for a woman who is clearly a bit older than she used to be.
ReplyDeleteI think the Silk Route shows are my favourite of Joanna's many adventures. It shows countries of which I knew absolutely nothing, while wearing some of the gorgeous colourful silks she found along the way. She is wonderfully fit for her age - a tad older than me!
DeleteI'm a watcher of royal fashion, too. I think Queen Camilla has come into her own style, and it's taken quite a few misses to get there. I've not watched any of Joanna Lumley's travels - will look for them.
ReplyDeleteIt is lovely to see Camilla has formed her own graceful style, and I'd love to own one of those dresses! The silk crepe flows so beautifully. I hope you find some of Joanna Lumley's shows, they are so enjoyable.
DeleteOh, I can't tell my husband that you both saw Joanna Lumley! I think he is in love with her!!! Also, I do remember you telling us that you bought that brooch! When I saw photos of it on the internet of Queen Camillia wearing it, instead of thinking of Queen Elizabeth, I thought of YOU!! I am so happy to see your photos of the lovely dresses that she is wearing in Australia. They look so thrilled to be there! And who wouldn't!!
ReplyDeleteLol, I think my husband is a bit in love with Joanna also :) Oh, that is so very sweet that you remembered I bought the Golden Wattle replica brooch. Of course, that is the first thing I was looking for in the arrival photos. They do look happy to be here in the photos, which is wonderful as it is a very very long plane ride to get here. I hope they get a little relax in Samoa before the long trek home.
DeleteHi dear Trish! Sorry I've been missing for so long - all to do with Bob's serious health issues which appeared very unexpectedly in May and have continued to the point where he just started chemotherapy this week which will continue through end of year. All exhausting for us both however fingers crossed we beat cancer yet again!
ReplyDeleteLovely post and pix of the Royals in Australia - they too are going through difficult times. Thanks for sharing the visit.
My wish is to get back here on my blog soon - I just haven't had time so post on Instagram as it's so much easier! This is the first year we haven't been anywhere more than 30 miles from home - no exciting travel and far too much time in hospital, doctors' offices etc!!!!
Hope all well with you and family, think of you often.
Big hugs, Mary & Bob
Oh dear Mary, so lovely to see you again and I am so sorry to read about Bob's very serious health issues. So exhausting for you both, and you are in my thoughts and prayers. It was a treat to see the royals here, and they looked heartened by the warm welcome they received.
DeleteI looked back to your previous posts which I had missed - apologies I had not read them sooner. My reasons for a long break from blogging are hazy and uncertain - I just did not feel I could do it for quite a long period. I do hope things settle down soon for you both and you have a little 'me time'.
I tried to find you on Instagram but I think someone else is using your blog title there! I am on Insta as trishbluewren, but notice I have not posted there for ages. Must remedy that too. Love and Hugs to you both. Trish xxx
Another lovely blog, Trish. I'm surprised King Charles can make these trips in his current state of health so good for him! Joanna Lumley is quite wonderful and a true British institution in her own right. I'd love to see one of her shows.
ReplyDeleteThank you Val. Joanna Lumley's show was so much fun, hugely entertaining. She is touring Australia, and was photographed greeting the King and Queen like old chums at the Sydney Opera House :). Despite the health issues, the King appears to be enjoying himself in Samoa too, all smiles at the CHoGM conference.
DeleteHello my dear Trish! I missed you and I'm playing catch up! I'm finally back from more epic travels. I love when you update about the Royals. I think Queen Camilla always looks very elegant. That brooch is SO pretty!! That ballet sounds amazing! We went to a Dior museum in Paris on our recent trip. It was so interesting! Blessings on your week ahead. xo
ReplyDeleteWow Carrie, I just had to dash over to your blog to see this! How spectacular was your trip, and you looks fantastic. I love that you went to the Dior museum. PS today we booked a trip to Europe in 2025 - more on that later. Bless you all. xoxox
DeleteHello from California! I read some of the messages and see that I'm not the only one who has taken a blogging break. I do miss interacting with my blog friends though so I'm going to try to post a bit more often. Thanks for showing up and giving me a little boost in that direction.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your photo's of the Royals. The broach is really lovely, I hope you find occasions to wear it frequently.
Yes, it is true, many bloggers took a break this past year. I also am trying to post again, and miss the interaction with old blogging friends. I don't get many occasions to wear such a sparkling piece of jewellery, but now and then it comes out. It is just fun to know I have it! Look forward to seeing you post now and then.
DeleteThe Coco Chanel Ballet sounds entertaining. I would have loved to seen their fashions. Your brooch is lovely, and I'm glad you were able to find one in your travels, as you always wanted it as a little girl. I was always interested in Diana's fashion, and kept a few of her magazines for many years., but with the moves, I gave them away. I'm so sorry to hear Charles has that dreadful illness, that's sad. Your date night at the theatre sounds fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have pleasant November days, Patricia.
~Sheri
Dear Sheri, glad you enjoyed. The Chanel fashions were very cleverly adapted to ballet costumes, and I loved it. Yes, Diana's fashion was amazing, so many wonderful looks that are still very famous. There really has not been anyone come along who replaces her in the fashion sense. Happy November to you too.
DeleteGlad you got to see the Royals. I always think Camilla looks good with those plain styles. I have seen Joanna Lumley often on TV and once in the flesh, at a charity do. I remember that she bought a lot of tickets for the raffle, and seemed very supportive.
ReplyDeleteHello Jenny, I can imagine Joanna Lumley doing that - she seems so genuinely warm and caring. Camilla has really found her personal style. I love her simple classic lines, and the way she makes them last a long time!
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