The Diamond Jubilee has been taking place throughout 2012, marking 60 years of The Queen’s reign. Daily Mail
More than a million spectators braved the rain yesterday to watch the once-in-a-lifetime spectacle of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee flotilla. Millions more watched on TV as the record-breaking pageant of 670 boats sailed the Thames to celebrate the Queen's 60-year reign.
When the Queen emerged from her limo, she shimmered. She was in a white boucle coat with a ruched ribbon fastening, embellished with Swarovski crystals, designed by her redoubtable dresser, Angela Kelly, and a year in the making. The choice of white was fitting, reminding us of the brilliance of diamonds, and a serene change from her usual vivid colour choice. The Jardine Star brooch sparkled despite the rain, and she was also wearing her usual pearl Ladies of Devonshire earrings and necklace, a wedding present from Queen Mary.
It was the older women who shone on the day. The Duchess of Cornwall looked smart in a slightly floaty coat dress with lattice sleeves by Kensington couturier Anna Valentine and a Philip Treacy picture hat.
Carole Middleton was impeccable in a cream tailored summer suit.
Pippa was in a prim nautical blue and white dress by Orla Keily (£345) and matching textured jacket (£295), completing the red, white and blue theme of the Middleton women.
Beatrice wore a bespoke Fifties-style dress in silver and navy jacquard (£850) by London couturier, Suzannah, and a Stephen Jones hat. Her coat was Marni: a marvellously bohemian, and super expensive, Italian label.
Eugenie wore a Roland Mouret dress that sculpted her figure, a black, lacy bolero and a Stephen Jones hat. She also had a cream Moschino jacket in a military style.
All eyes were, of course, on the Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine, who took up the red mantle. Of course she looked exquisite, in a customised designed dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen from an off-the-peg version costing £1,195. The dress had a themed boat neck and was pinned with a brooch made of two silver dolphins, a gift from the Royal Navy submarines. What is surprising though, is that the Duchess seemed to have taken style inspiration from two most unlikely celebrities, the dress has previously been worn in a sleeveless form by Kim Kardashian and Tulisa Contostavlos.
