Kent Jewels

[ldmemail]

Originally Posted by auntie

Weddding gift to whom? The present Duke and duchess, or Princess Marina?

Wedding gift to Princess Marina - Queen MAry's Goddaughter.

[HRH Queen Mary]

Originally Posted by Eliza

why did she sold it?

I Think it was because of death duties.

[auntie]

Sorry to go of the topic, but Princess Marina never really smiled she just had a sideways smirk

[Prince of Chota]

I think it was cute. Some of the Beaton photographs of her are simply stunning and moving.

There are some interesting stories from Cecil Beaton about how she would arrive with full regalia--orders, tiaras, brooches, the whole deal--in a basket.

[Warren]

Did someone mention Princess Marina dripping in diamonds?

HRH Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent
x

[jcbcode99]

Warren,
Beautiful picture of Princess Marina dripping in diamonds! I would love to have just one or two of those large diamonds--I can't imagine wearing all of them!
Anyway, I just got the Leslie Field book about HM The Queen's Jewels (the one with the beautiful Cambridge Emerald Necklace with the diamond drop that QM wore with the Durbar Tiara) and it mentions the girandole (I spelled it wrong) earrings that Princess Marina left to the present duchess and how it is not unusual for the diamonds to just fall off and the duchess has to walk around looking for them! Are these those earrings?

[Warren]

Originally Posted by jcbcode99

... and it mentions the girandole earrings that Princess Marina left to the present duchess and how it is not unusual for the diamonds to just fall off and the duchess has to walk around looking for them!

Wouldn't it be easier to have the jeweller tighten the settings?

[jcbcode99]

You know, Warren, that's what I did with a pair diamond studs (nothing like Queen Victoria's!) when they were loose--but then again, what do I know? I'm just a mere common American!

[RubyPrincess168]

I don't think they have access to a court jeweller standing by (as would HM) or think to take it to a jewelry shop before an event. I think the jewels probably sit in a safe vault or bank safety deposit somewhere and are only accessed or thought about when they're needed.

[angela]

Duchess of Kent DIADEM - TIARA Princess michael wears this stunning large emerald often

[jcbcode99]

Is it just me or did Princess Alexandra get relatively little from her mother? It seems like Princess Michael has all the major pieces.
That being said, I really just love Princess Alexandra's tiara that is interchangeable with turquoises and pearls. It is so lovely, and really suits her.

[iowabelle]

I think the Greek tradition is that the sons get the majority of the inheritance.

[LOSSEAN]

It does seem that Prince Michael inherited more jewels from Princess Marina than the Duke of Kent, doesn't it?

[auntie]

Originally Posted by LOSSEAN

It does seem that Prince Michael inherited more jewels from Princess Marina than the Duke of Kent, doesn't it?

No, the present duchess Kate recieved the lion's share, but Marie Christine is just more ostentatious and likes to flaunt what she has. Also the major Kent saphire parure was sold.

[jcbcode99]

Only the original tiara was sold. The rest of the parue still remains with the Duchess of Kent.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by auntie

... but Marie Christine is just more ostentatious and likes to flaunt what she has.

She likes to wear her jewels? Good on her, and lucky us jewels-watchers!

[jcbcode99]

I don't know--I really think that Prince Michael got a little bit more--Princess Michael wears two substantial tiaras and a riviere. The Duchess has that reworked Cambridge tiara, and that fringey-comb thing. It may be even, I don't know, but in terms of tiaras--the current Duke was duped!

[wymanda]

Originally Posted by jcbcode99

It may be even, I don't know, but in terms of tiaras--the current Duke was duped!

Yes but at least Pncss Michael has a little panache & style. The Duchess doesn't wear the big pieces and look what she did to the sapphires! Had Pncess Marina been able to see into the future she would have left ALL the jewels to Prince Michael.

[angela]

I never understood the way the Duchess of Kent re-set the Sapphires, they were stunning when Marina had them but just horrible the new way. Also the sapphire tiara was beautiful but not that thing the Duchess had made.

[auntie]

I still think that the Duchess received more of the substantial peices, yet doesn't really wear them, and probably never looked to expand her collection like MChristine. Besides the 2 tiaras and the riverie the rest of the BIG peices MC has are semiprecious or rice pearls and combos which are made in a very chic way.
BTW I did read a rumour that the Michaels have sold all the diamonds from the jewells and replaced them with high quality CZ's. Is there any truth to it?