Kiki McDonough: The Jeweller Who Redefined Royal Elegance
ROYAL TREATMENT: Kiki McDonough's Fabulous Four Decades of Jewels and Secrets Revealed!
In a world where royals and jewelry go hand-in-hand, few can claim to have been as fortunate as Kiki McDonough. This gemstone genius has had the privilege of adorning some of the most iconic figures in British royalty with her exquisite creations for over four decades! But before we dive into the juicy details, let's take a step back and revisit how it all began.
It was none other than the beloved Princess Diana who first put Kiki on the map by wearing her stunning earrings at the White House - yes, you read that right, the same White House where America's First Ladies have worn some of the most breathtaking jewelry in history! Little did anyone know that this was only the beginning of a long and illustrious career for Kiki McDonough.
As it turns out, Kiki's royal connections run deep. Her father, Robin Axford, was a director at Harvey & Gore, an antique jeweler with ties to Queen Mary, one of the most prolific jewelers in British history. Talk about being born into the right family! Fast forward to the 1980s when Kiki started designing for jeweler Nigel Milne on Grafton Street. It wasn't long before Sarah Ferguson, then the Duchess of York, wore a pair of Kiki's heart earrings for an official engagement photo with Prince Andrew.
Sarah's love affair with Kiki's jewelry didn't stop there. She went on to wear a stunning pair of onyx heart and bow earrings and a pearl and onyx heart necklace during her royal wedding celebrations in 1986. And just like that, Kiki had secured her place as the go-to jeweler for British royalty!
But what really sets Kiki apart is her willingness to think outside the box (or rather, the traditional cardinal gemstones of diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires). She's always been a trailblazer, embracing amethysts, aquamarines, tanzanites, and tourmalines - giving royals like Diana a breath of fresh air in their jewelry choices.
Now, let's talk about the most iconic piece of all: the cypher brooch created for Queen Camilla and her Companions to wear at the Coronation on May 6th, 2023. This stunning masterpiece is set with diamonds in 18-carat white gold, featuring the intertwined letters C (Camilla) and R (Regina), topped off with a regal crown.
But Kiki's influence doesn't stop at royalty. She's also a brilliant businesswoman who inspires new generations of jewellers every day - and her son has even benefited from her expertise, sporting exquisite enamel and gold cufflinks gifted by his godmother!
Kiki's story is one of passion, creativity, and dedication to her craft. In her recently published coffee table book, A Life of Colour: 40 Years of Gemstone Jewellery, she takes readers on a journey through four decades of jewelry-making, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and secrets that will leave you green with envy!
So what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of Kiki McDonough and get ready to be dazzled by her stunning creations. And don't forget to pick up your copy of A Life of Colour: 40 Years of Gemstone Jewellery on Amazon at £49.99 - a must-have for any jewelry lover or royal enthusiast!
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