Royal Jewels

[Feeshalori]

I wonder if you can detach the fringe-like pieces from the DoC's ruby bib & wear the top part alone as a necklace. It would be a very nice one. The Saudis are great friends for British royal ladies to have.


--- Laurie

I've often wondered how those fringe ruby sections might look as a tiara with the bottom rows taken out to reduce the height on Camilla's head, because it would then be extremely tall. Then perhaps some of those rubies could be converted into matching earrings to the set. I would also love to see the top section worn solo as a necklace; that's a beautiful design.

Patricia

 

[LadyMaria]

Yes, the cabochons are the closer match from the two Harewood necklaces. The other one looks like Queen Ena's emeralds.

The Duchess' ruby earrings - it's hart to tell with 100% certainty, but I think Camilla wore a pair of diamond and synthetic ruby earrings from her own collection with the ruby bibi necklace. That would seem a bit strange, but that's what the photos show...

Second picture...the necklace that Camilla is wearing...isn't that the ruby necklace/tiara that Edward VII gave his mistress, Alice Keppel? The Alice Keppel who happens to be the great-grandmother of Camilla? Which, according to several things I've read, led to Camilla saying to Charles when they originally met, "My great-grandmother was the mistress of your great-grandfather. I feel we have something in common."

 

[Imdanny]

The pictures of William and Catherine are absolutely delightful!! That first picture is adorable! And yes, the ring is the star, but I think that is typical. I even remember in my engagement pictures nearly 17 years ago the photographer making sure my ring showed in most of the pictures. And I didn't even have a huge sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds!

You never saw Charles and Diana, or even Andrew/Sarah or Edward/Sophie in that cute and cuddly of an embrace for their engagement photos. All the other engagement photos were more like the second one.

Case in point...here is one of Charles and Diana's engagement photos. It was meant to be affectionate and informal, but it always looked forced to me. Look at how she's holding her right arm perfectly straight and rigid across his shoulders. She's not leaning her head into Charles like she is purposely trying to keep space between his face and her face. William and Catherine's first picture looks genuine to me.

I don't see it as forced exactly but if anyone's being standoffish it's him. What a terrible tragedy that those two weren't told to work out their differences and stay married. It would have been so much better than Diana being dead at such a young age and the rest of the world deprived of her being in the world for all of this time. Some of us who lived through the whole thing will never forget it and never recover from it. I do wish, though, that we could gossip a little bit less about Diana, who is not here to defend herself. I mean seriously, we went through this whole thing wherein we agreed not to talk negatively about Camilla. All of this recent speculation about Diana likewise is making me very uncomfortable (and this isn't directly at you personally, these thoughts are for the entire forum, and the last about five pages where these kinds of questions and speculations have come up repeatedly). I don't think it's the least bit fair. If we've agreed not to speak negatively about Camilla, we shouldn't be gossiping about Diana, either, IMHO.

 

[LadyMaria]

The King was kinda furious - he told the lady that The Princess of Wales (it was before 1901 I believe) has made the effort to put her tiara on, while the lady hasn't. I think the lady in question left the party and the reason why she wasn't wearing a tiara was that the bank where it was kept had closed before she could get there.
I'm sure Alexander has more details, including the name of the lady.

Bobby

The story is in the Munn book on tiaras. The lady in question was Consuelo, Duchess of Marlborough (daughter of William Vanderbilt). She wore a diamond crescent instead of a tiara. From Munn.....

"The Prince, with a severe glance at my crescent observed, 'The Princess has taken the trouble to wear a tiara, why have you not done so?' Luckily I could truthfully answer that I had be delayed by some charitable function in the country and that I had found the bank in which I kept my tiara closed on my arrival in London."

 

[LadyMaria]

The pictures of William and Catherine are absolutely delightful!! That first picture is adorable! And yes, the ring is the star, but I think that is typical. I even remember in my engagement pictures nearly 17 years ago the photographer making sure my ring showed in most of the pictures. And I didn't even have a huge sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds!

You never saw Charles and Diana, or even Andrew/Sarah or Edward/Sophie in that cute and cuddly of an embrace for their engagement photos. All the other engagement photos were more like the second one.

Case in point...here is one of Charles and Diana's engagement photos. It was meant to be affectionate and informal, but it always looked forced to me. Look at how she's holding her right arm perfectly straight and rigid across his shoulders. She's not leaning her head into Charles like she is purposely trying to keep space between his face and her face. William and Catherine's first picture looks genuine to me.

I don't see it as forced exactly but if anyone's being standoffish it's him. What a terrible tragedy that those two weren't told to work out their differences and stay married. It would have been so much better than Diana being dead at such a young age and the rest of the world deprived of her being in the world for all of this time. Some of us who lived through the whole thing will never forget it and never recover from it. I do wish, though, that we could gossip a little bit less about Diana, who is not here to defend herself. I mean seriously, we went through this whole thing wherein we agreed not to talk negatively about Camilla. All of this recent speculation about Diana likewise is making me very uncomfortable (and this isn't directly at you personally, these thoughts are for the entire forum, and the last about five pages where these kinds of questions and speculations have come up).

My apologies Danny. I did not mean to offend. I understand your concern, since I too remember everything from Diana's wedding to her death.

 

[LadyMaria]

Today is the 104th anniversary of the birth of HRH Princess Marina of Greece & Denmark, later HRH The Duchess of Kent, as well as my own 19th birthday!
Wishing you all a great week and I hope we'll continue duscussing royal jewels in the years to come! My special wish is to admire two glittering weddings, filled with loads of love next year - one in London and another in Monaco.

Best wishes,
Bobby

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOBBY!!!!!

 

[LadyMaria]

Is this Camilla's necklace from the previous page? This is a picture of the one that was given to Alice Keppel by Edward VII.

 

[Imdanny]

The pictures of William and Catherine are absolutely delightful!! That first picture is adorable! And yes, the ring is the star, but I think that is typical. I even remember in my engagement pictures nearly 17 years ago the photographer making sure my ring showed in most of the pictures. And I didn't even have a huge sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds!

You never saw Charles and Diana, or even Andrew/Sarah or Edward/Sophie in that cute and cuddly of an embrace for their engagement photos. All the other engagement photos were more like the second one.

Case in point...here is one of Charles and Diana's engagement photos. It was meant to be affectionate and informal, but it always looked forced to me. Look at how she's holding her right arm perfectly straight and rigid across his shoulders. She's not leaning her head into Charles like she is purposely trying to keep space between his face and her face. William and Catherine's first picture looks genuine to me.

I don't see it as forced exactly but if anyone's being standoffish it's him. What a terrible tragedy that those two weren't told to work out their differences and stay married. It would have been so much better than Diana being dead at such a young age and the rest of the world deprived of her being in the world for all of this time. Some of us who lived through the whole thing will never forget it and never recover from it. I do wish, though, that we could gossip a little bit less about Diana, who is not here to defend herself. I mean seriously, we went through this whole thing wherein we agreed not to talk negatively about Camilla. All of this recent speculation about Diana likewise is making me very uncomfortable (and this isn't directly at you personally, these thoughts are for the entire forum, and the last about five pages where these kinds of questions and speculations have come up).

My apologies Danny. I did not mean to offend. I understand your concern, since I too remember everything from Diana's wedding to her death.

No, I know you didn't. I added this to my post after you quoted it.

" I don't think it's the least bit fair. If we've agreed not to speak negatively about Camilla, we shouldn't be gossiping about Diana, either, IMHO."

Maybe I'm spitting in the wind, but I for one have tried very hard not to say anything even remotely negative about Camilla since that whole subject came up. I just think it would be a matter of respect if we all didn't gossip, and speculate about things we can never know, and criticize Diana, ALSO. I just think that would be fair, and this has been bothering me for many pages now. So I just thought I'd say something. FWIW.

 

[Cordata]

Today is the 104th anniversary of the birth of HRH Princess Marina of Greece & Denmark, later HRH The Duchess of Kent, as well as my own 19th birthday!
Wishing you all a great week and I hope we'll continue duscussing royal jewels in the years to come! My special wish is to admire two glittering weddings, filled with loads of love next year - one in London and another in Monaco.

Best wishes,
Bobby

Happy Birthday, Booby! And here is my present for you (and my honours to HRH Princess Marina):
The description from GettyImages: The 23rd April 1963: Angus Ogilvy, Princess Alexandra and Princess Marina leaving Kensington Palace in their limousine to attend a ball at Windsor Castle in their honour. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Princess Alexandra wears her own floral tiara. But what is Princess Marina wearing? It looks like the Cambridge sapphire tiara with something attached at the back?

I am wishing you another great year of royal jewellery watching and all the best for real life. And don't forget the 3rd big wedding for next year: Princess Nathalie of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Alexander Johannsmann. We don't have to speculate about the bridal tiara, as it surely will be the Khedive of Egypt tiara. But there is a chance that the wedding will be a white tie event (her sister's wedding was white tie, but back then the wedding was hosted by her grandmother Queen Ingrid). So that wedding promises to be great jewellery watching as well!

 

[prince.of.preslav]

Is this Camilla's necklace from the previous page? This is a picture of the one that was given to Alice Keppel by Edward VII.

First Maria, I'd like to thank you for the birthday wish!

And yes - this tiara is the necklace Camilla's wearing in the photo.

Bobby

 

[prince.of.preslav]

Happy Birthday, Booby! And here is my present for you (and my honours to HRH Princess Marina):

Thank you for the great birthday wish and the present, dear Cordata!

Re. Princess Marina - she is wearing the Cambridge sapphires, indeed! I once read (RJWMB, I believe) that Marina used to attach the bracets from the parure to the tiara to make it deeper (if that makes sence) and what I can see from the Getty photo and this one looks like the motif of the bracelets:

Bobby

 

[Cordata]

Happy Birthday, Booby! And here is my present for you (and my honours to HRH Princess Marina):

Thank you for the great birthday wish and the present, dear Cordata!

Re. Princess Marina - she is wearing the Cambridge sapphires, indeed! I once read (RJWMB, I believe) that Marina used to attach the bracets from the parure to the tiara to make it deeper (if that makes sence) and what I can see from the Getty photo and this one looks like the motif of the bracelets:

Bobby

The bracelet explanation makes sense, but I am not too fond of the outcome. The style of both jewels does not go well together, although a better picture might change my opinion.
How I would love to see the other picture in colour! Two of the most beautiful sapphire tiaras side by side.

 

[prince.of.preslav]

The bracelet explanation makes sense, but I am not too fond of the outcome. The style of both jewels does not go well together, although a better picture might change my opinion.
How I would love to see the other picture in colour! Two of the most beautiful sapphire tiaras side by side.

I'd love to see a colour photo as well! What a pity the 2nd Duke had to sell the tiara...
BTW, HRH Princess Alexandra of Kent is wearing her tiara with pearls, not sapphires

Bobby

 

[Cordata]

The bracelet explanation makes sense, but I am not too fond of the outcome. The style of both jewels does not go well together, although a better picture might change my opinion.
How I would love to see the other picture in colour! Two of the most beautiful sapphire tiaras side by side.

I'd love to see a colour photo as well! What a pity the 2nd Duke had to sell the tiara...
BTW, HRH Princess Alexandra of Kent is wearing her tiara with pearls, not sapphires

Bobby

Sorry, I wasn't clear. I meant Queen Victoria's sapphire tiara on the picture posted by you. It is small, but very lovely.

 

[prince.of.preslav]

Oohh! My bad - I forgot that Princess Mary was also in the photo. I agree now - two of the prettiest sapphire tiaras (and both filled with so much history!) in one picture is a rare sight.

Bobby

 

[JewelFreak]

I put up the photo of the small sapphire tiara. Here are examples of it being worn, almost as a hair ornament. I like it on the front of the head; it's too beautiful not to be more visible!

--- Laurie

 

[JewelFreak]

This is another tiara designed by Prince Albert, also one I just love. Its whereabouts are unknown. It appeared in an exhibition organized by Munn in 1997, belonging according to Munn, to "a descendant of QV" who was unnamed. Hasn't been seen since & rumors are that it was sold & dismantled by its new owner -- a travesty if true. Since the Fifes obviously owned it in 1960, it is likely they who sold it after '97.

--- Laurie

 

[JewelFreak]

Bobby -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! (In Royal Blue) Many happy ones ahead!

--- Laurie

 

[shadowed_rain]

Happy birthday, Bobby!

Reaching up a few posts, here's a picture of the Duchess of Marlborough. Obviously, this is at a coronation...my guess would be the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. The duchess was rumored to have the longest and most "swan-like" neck in her day; very much a society beauty. Alas, another case of an unhappy marriage.

Thankfully, the younger royals in the crowned houses of Europe seem to be of sterner and happier stuff these days

 

[JewelFreak]

She did get completely forced into it by her father, SR. Her pics in her coronation robes always make me feel so sorry for her -- she looks overwhelmed by her clothing, a metaphor for how she surely felt at the time.

About a year ago the house she had w/Jacques Balsan, her husband after she got rid of the icky Duke, (a "small" house in the S. of France -- "small" compared w/ Blenheim, I think) was on the market. Much of it had been left as she did it by subsequent owners. It was BEAUTIFUL, very much decorated in the style of her time but with exquisite taste. I only wish they had put up pics of every single room.

Her choker, how many rows? Wow.

--- Laurie

 

[Imdanny]

Laurie, tiara # 1 should never have been worn as a mere hair ornament and tiara # 2 should never have been disassembled. The latter is particularly grotesque. A crime against art and history, if true.

 

[JewelFreak]

Perfectly put, Danny!

--- Laurie

 

[alexander1917]

This is another tiara designed by Prince Albert, also one I just love. Its whereabouts are unknown. It appeared in an exhibition organized by Munn in 1997, belonging according to Munn, to "a descendant of QV" who was unnamed. Hasn't been seen since & rumors are that it was sold & dismantled by its new owner -- a travesty if true. Since the Fifes obviously owned it in 1960, it is likely they who sold it after '97.

--- Laurie

wasn't it also be seen in the V&A exhibition?

 

[JewelFreak]

wasn't it also be seen in the V&A exhibition?

No, Alexander, it didn't appear there, which got people wondering. No mention of it at all in the catalog.

--- Laurie

 

[alexander1917]

its in Munn's book. which for me is a catalouge of the tiaras exhibition. but no mention of the where about.

 

[JewelFreak]

Alexander, this is what the website InternetStones.com says about the V&A exhibition:

It included 20 tiaras of British Royal origin, out of which four were designed by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria. The tiaras designed by Prince Albert included the "Ruby and Diamond Oriental Circlet Tiara" that was worn by Queen Victoria and later Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Another tiara designed by Prince Albert was the Gothic style "Diamond and Sapphire Tiara" loaned by the Earl and Countess of Harewood. But, there were no reports of the "Queen Victoria Emerald and Diamond Tiara" appearing at this exhibition, which seemed to confirm earlier reports of its dismantling.

Would sure love to be wrong! It's criminal to destroy that beautiful piece -- seems to me if someone (who didn't like it enough to keep it intact) could afford to buy it, they could certainly have bought other stones or a less historic & beautiful tiara. It doesn't make rational sense to me.

--- Laurie

 

[alexander1917]

It's my opinion. there are so much information in the web.
itÄs like to buy the Portland and use the material for other things. when such pieces from known collection came to auction you bought it because it has a "name".
ther're so many nameless pieces and of course with less historic or artisic designs.
the most possible way is that it is hiden into a dark place, and will came to light someday again.

 

[JewelFreak]

the most possible way is that it is hiden into a dark place, and will came to light someday again.

Let's hope so!

 

[prince.of.preslav]

Lets hope Queen Victoria's emerald tiara is sitting peacefully in a dark vault and waiting for a re-appearance! It's a shame if someone like Imelda Marcos has distroyed it just to reuse the stones...

Here Queen Victoria's granddaughter and namesake Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine (maternal grandmother of Prince Philip) is wearing the tiara over a green velvet cap:

 

[prince.of.preslav]

Happy birthday, Bobby!

Reaching up a few posts, here's a picture of the Duchess of Marlborough. Obviously, this is at a coronation...my guess would be the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. The duchess was rumored to have the longest and most "swan-like" neck in her day; very much a society beauty. Alas, another case of an unhappy marriage.

Thankfully, the younger royals in the crowned houses of Europe seem to be of sterner and happier stuff these days

Thank you for the photo, SR! Consuelo had a great neck for wearing dog-collars. The photo is indeed from the 1902 Coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. Some photos and information about her tiara are to be found in the Tiaras thread.

Bobby