British Royal Jewels of the Past

[Warren]

Originally Posted by Thomas Parkman

Is that not where there has been great confusion. I have read in the bible I believe that Queen Mary commissioned the honeysuckle tiara from Garrard's c. 1915.

Yes, in this case Munn contradicts Field. I used Field for my post above as this is the source and context for jcbcode99's question.

I have seen a picture of Princess Margaret wearing Maria Fedorovna's sappphire tiara somewhere...

Indeed, if you click on the link in my post you will see it again.

I mayself may have been thorougly confused and thought the honeysuckle tiara had a large sapphire setting as part of the settings that could be used, along with the kunzite and diamond centerpieces. I think that I was probably wrong. What do you think. I

You are correct, Field has a small pic of Queen Mary wearing the honeysuckle tiara and what she says is the sapphire centrepiece (on the same page where she states it comes from Marie Feodorovna). I'm not sure that one can tell whether it is sapphire or emerald from the photograph, but we'll take Field's word for it.

[Amy]

Does anyone have any information about the jewels worn here?
Image - TinyPic - Share The Experience!™

[Warren]

Queen Mary is wearing the Sapphire Parure which was gifted to Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent. It passed to the present Duke and Duchess of Kent; parts of the parure have since been sold and the tiara remodelled (or the necklace has been converted into a tiara).

[Amy]

Originally Posted by Warren

Queen Mary is wearing the Sapphire Parure which was gifted to Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent. It passed to the present Duke and Duchess of Kent; parts of the parure have since been sold and the tiara remodelled (or the necklace has been converted into a tiara).

Thankyou. It is such a shame that many lovely pieces have passed to the lesser branches of the family. In my opinion any pieces of distinction should only be loaned to individual members during their lifetimes and then on their deaths returned to the main collection.

[jcbcode99]

Warren--thank you for trying; I've been curious about that necklace for some time. But, your supplemental information was quite interesting!

[noldorlord]

Dose anyone know who bought the Sapphire Tiara from Duchess of Kent. A pity that the had to sell it. The Duchess dose like to play with her jewels, she has remodelled a lot of pieces in the past why not this one.

[noldorlord]

Originally Posted by Warren

Queen Mary is wearing the Sapphire Parure which was gifted to Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent. It passed to the present Duke and Duchess of Kent; parts of the parure have since been sold and the tiara remodelled (or the necklace has been converted into a tiara).

I think that the Tiara was offered to the queen before the sale some time in the late 60s which was to pay for death duties, but she did not wont it back in the family.

[Damian]

Great images everybody.

I have just one question: is there actually a list of Queen Mary's jewelry anywhere? Especially the tiaras? I know that there are some random images and some info around these forums, but is there any full and"official" list availible in any book or something like that?

[David Smith]

This web site - Forensic Genealogy Book Contest - shows a photo of Queen Victoria's coffin resting in the Albert Memorial Chapel after her funeral on Feb. 2, 1901 and before being moved to the Frogmore Mausoleum on Feb. 4, 1901. The web site identifies the crown on the coffin as St. Edward's Crown but I believe it is the Imperial State Crown based on its shape, etc. I'd appreciate responses about whether you agree or disagree with this identification. I found one reference (in Jerrold Packard's Farewell in Splendor) that states the Imperial State Crown was used for Victoria's funeral. Does anyone know of any other reference? Studying photos of other royal funerals, I believe St. Edward's Crown was used for the funeral of Edward VII but that the Imperial State Crown was used for George V and George VI. Thanks for your aid on identifying the crown used for Victoria's funeral.

[TheTruth]

Couldn't it be the Small Diamond crown ? (Small diamond crown of Queen Victoria - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

[David Smith]

I believe the small diamond crown was used on Queen Victoria's coffin when it rested at Osborne House before her formal funeral began. But the crown in the web site photo seems too large to be the small diamond crown.

The Scepter with the Cross and both orbs were also placed on Victoria's coffin. David Williamson wrote in Debrett's Guide to Heraldry and Regalia that the second orb (last used for Mary II's coronation with William III) represented Victoria's position as Empress of India. But Victoria's funeral was the only time two orbs were used.

[PrinceOfCanada]

That's absolutely not the St Edward Crown. It's probably the Imperial, before it was rebuilt for George VI.

[Warren]

A reminder that posting copyrighted images is against the law, and posting hotlinked images is a no-no. Such pics (and posts) will be deleted without notice.

thanks,
Warren
Royal Jewels moderator