Interesting that there wasn't an inventory of the jewels in the Duke of Windsor's possession that this piece got overlooked, but perhaps no record was ever kept. And I suppose in the shock of the situation and with such fast-moving events, anything could have been easily overlooked once the couple moved abroad.
I believe you are right, this was made for the Duchess but since it represented royalty the Duchess thought they would take it back, but they didn't. I read this in another book, I can't remember which.
I didn't know the brooch was made for Wallis and was not part of the royal collection. It then begs the question why Charles would bid on it, if that's his intention. Would anyone wear it given its provenance? Unless he'd just want it because it does represent British royalty and also to bring it into the family because the Duke of Windsor commissioned it. Perhaps there's no intention of giving it to Camilla or eventually Kate, but would just reside in the royal vaults. This will be interesting.
Oh, yes, that magnificent Portland tiara that many were wishing would be purchased for Kate as a wedding gift! Maybe it was, and it's being kept under tight wraps until some time in the future when we see it adorn Kate's head; wouldn't that be a lovely revelation? It would be nice to know who did purchase it.
)
Yes, Elizabeth I did love her pearls. I understand that either she or one of her courtiers who gave it to her (maybe Robert, Earl of Leicester) purchased Mary, Queen of Scots', long black pearl necklace. And the mystery of why La Peregrina didn't come into Elizabeth's possession? Who knows - that's why the wandering pearl had its name.
Here's the story of that little mishap. I wonder how many times in its illustrious history it wandered into an animal's mouth. That pearl is so aptly named!!!
