Antwerp’s Port Authority Building (aka Port House) is a gleaming obelisk perched above a building from centuries past. This striking structure was the vision Zaha Hadid created with her team at Zaha Hadid Architects, which won a 2009 competition to build a new building around a historic firehouse. Work was completed in 2016, the same year the famed architect died. The expansion is intended to resemble the hull of a sailing ship, with a protruding bow glimmering with diamonds, recalling Antwerp’s longtime trade in precious stones.
It is said to be a perfect example of a grand-design spiral #galaxy and is best observed during November. Clusters of young, blue stars dot the arms of this galaxy, and the ultraviolet light from these stars makes the pink regions glow.
Just days after Her Majesty’s Accession to the throne in February 1952, photographs of the new Queen were taken by the society photographer Dorothy Wilding. These now iconic images were used as the basis of The Queen’s image on stamps, as well as providing the official portrait that was sent to Embassies and Regiments all over the world.
Her Majesty wears a Norman Hartnell satin evening dress with the insignia of the Order of the Garter, the George IV Diamond Diadem and a diamond bracelet that was a wedding gift from The Duke of Edinburgh.
The necklace was given to then Princess Elizabeth as a wedding present in 1947 from the Nizam (ruler) of Hyderabad. The Nizam left instructions with the firm of Cartier in London that Princess Elizabeth should select a wedding gift herself, and this platinum necklace set with approximately 300 diamonds was chosen. Her Majesty has continued to wear the necklace throughout her reign and has also loaned it to The Duchess of Cambridge.
The photograph, and the necklace, form part of the @royalcollectiontrust display at Buckingham Palace. Opening to the public tomorrow, the display features objects relating to The Queen’s Accession to the throne.
Platinum Jubilee: The Queen’s Accession is open from 22 July – 2 October at Buckingham. Tap the link in our bio find out more.
