Princess Anne dons festive look and rare brooch for ‘special ceremony’ in Northern Ireland
Princess Anne granted Banger, in Northern Ireland, the city status which was received as part of Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The Royal Family website explained: “The Princess Royal officially conferred city status on Bangor in a special ceremony at Bangor Castle.”
For the event, Princess Anne chose a festive outfit: a two-piece tartan suit consisting of a skirt and a navy blazer with red buttons on the front.
The royal seemed to be wearing a white blouse underneath and combined the suit with a pair of black boots and an elegant black handbag.
The Princess Royal donned a pair of gold and pearl drop earrings and a rare brooch which hasn’t been seen in any recent outings.
The gold jewel featured a leaf shape and little blue, green and red gemstones in the centre.
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During the event at Bangor Castle, children from Bangor Central Integrated Primary School and students from Bangor Academy, Bangor Grammar, Glenlola, St Columbanus and SERC, went to the Castle to welcome the Princess.
Princess Anne also met the local Sea Cadets, who provided a “guard of honour”, and representatives from the Coastguard and RNLI.
As part of Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations this year, Bangor’s city status was granted.
The royal also unveiled the Letters Patent, which is the legal instrument issued by King Charles III to formally confirm the status of “city”.
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The Princess also met local organisations who had supported the bid, including Bangor Marine, the developers of Queen’s Parade and members of the Chamber of Commerce among others.
At night, the royal attended a reception in Belfast to mark 50 years since Lady Mary Peter’s iconic Olympic gold medal win at Munich in 1972.
For the formal occasion, she changed into a shimmery navy ensemble. Princess Anne donned a short navy blazer with a collar featuring a floral pattern which matched the midi skirt’s print.
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Crisscut Magazine estimated the brooch could be worth £500,000 and it was first purchased by the Princess of Wales in 1866 as a wedding present to her sister Empress Maria Feodorovna.
When Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne in 1952, the brooch was passed down to her and she was pictured wearing it with and without the pearl drop.
Princess Anne is Patron of the Mary Peter’s Trust which Mary established with the aim of supporting young sports people from across Northern Ireland to enable them to attain their individual sporting goals.
