Imagine my surprise and joy when two of my worlds collided this morning. No, not my Royal and Ed Sheeran worlds, that was a few weeks ago. This time it was my Royal and Russian worlds.
I studied Russian for three years in university. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Russian Studies. This means that for 3 years I studied the language, history, literature, and culture of Russia from Genghis Khan and the Mongols right through to Vladimir Putin. I can still recite some of the children’s nursery rhymes and sing most of the songs we learned in our culture units.
Among the things that definitely caught my attention then and still do today, were the Fabergé Eggs that were designed for the Imperial Family.
Today, The Duchess popped over to the Victoria and Albert Museum to view their new exhibit that includes 15 of the eggs.
About the Imperial Eggs
The celebrated series of 50 Imperial Easter eggs was created for the Russian Imperial family from 1885 to 1916 when the company was run by Peter Carl Fabergé. These creations are inextricably linked to the glory and tragic fate of the last Romanov family. They were the ultimate achievement of the renowned Russian jewellery house and must also be considered the last great commissions of objets d’art . Ten eggs were produced from 1885 to 1893, during the reign of Emperor Alexander III; 40 more were created during the rule of his dutiful son, Nicholas II, two each year, one for his mother, the dowager, the second for his wife.
The series began in 1885 when Emperor Alexander III, through the intermediary of his uncle, Grand Duke Vladimir, commissioned an Easter egg from Fabergé as an Easter present for his wife, Empress Maria Feodorovna. Initially planned by Fabergé to contain a diamond ring, the actual finished version, following specific instructions of the Emperor, included a ruby pendant of great value.
The Hen Egg, 1885
Inspired by an 18th century original, the Hen Egg has an opaque white enamelled outer ‘shell’, opening with a twist to reveal a first surprise – a matt yellow gold yolk. This in turn contains an enamelled chased gold hen that once held a replica of the Imperial Crown with a precious ruby pendant egg within. The drop by itself cost more than half of the egg’s total price (both lost, being only known from an old photograph).
The Winter Egg — Probably My Favorite
The exterior of the egg resembles frost and ice crystals formed on clear glass. It is studded with 1,660 diamonds, and is made from quartz, platinum, and orthoclase. The miniature surprise flower basket is studded with 1,378 diamonds and is made from platinum and gold, while the wood anemones are made of white quartz and the leaves are made of demantoid. The flowers lie in gold moss. The egg is 102 millimetres (4.0 in) high.
It was an Easter 1913 gift for Tsarina Maria Feodorovna from Tsar Nicholas II. The price in 1913 was 24,700 rubles, making it the most expensive Imperial Easter egg ever made.
Catherine’s Outfit
Catherine wore the Ralph Lauren Paisley Georgette Tie-Neck Shirt
And what look to be the navy trousers we’ve seen a at the Imperial War Museum and at the High School she visited recently.
The trousers have not yet been properly identified but I am thinking they might be the Maya Wide Leg Trouser in Navy
and her face mask was probably one of the many she has from Amaia Kids
Her hair was back in a ponytail that frankly makes me jealous.
No word yet on exactly which earrings she is wearing today. I’ll update as soon as I know.
Petite Match Available!
Perhaps the best news about this outfit, especially if you love it, is that a PETITE version of the blouse is available in sizes Petite XS – Petite Large as of the time this article was posted.
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