Jewel of the Day: Queen Mary’s Russian Brooch

The days of prolific jewellery-wearers such as Queen Mary and Queen Alexandra are unfortunately gone. Nevertheless, the British Royals still wear impressive pieces from time to time. These blog entries will focus on pieces of jewellery as and when they are worn by British Royal ladies.

Today’s piece was worn by Queen Elizabeth as she attended the Epsom Derby, signalling the beginning of the four day Diamond Jubilee festivities.

The brooch was originally presented by Emperor Alexander III and Empress Marie Feodorovna of Russia to Princess Mary of Teck (future Queen Mary) on occasion of her marriage to the Duke of York (future George V) in 1893. The brooch has a large square-cut diamond and square cabochon sapphire set in a scroll frame of round diamonds.

The Empress later asked her husband, Alexander III, to add a matching sapphire and diamond bracelet to the gift. Queen Elizabeth inherited the brooch in 1953, when Queen Mary passed away.

Because of the unusual design, the brooch can be worn both vertically and horizontally. The original owner, Queen Mary, was quite creative and wore it in different ways; in this picture from 1925, she wears the brooch horizontally and on her collar. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Elizabeth II have both worn it mostly vertically. The Queen mostly pairs the brooch with blue outfits; she has worn it from early years of her reign as in this picture, to recent times as in this one.

Filed under The United Kingdom
Tagged Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Jewellery, Mary of Teck.

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