The Princess Royal's Diamonds

Pair of Feather Brooches

These brooches date from the eighteenth century. Could they be part of the Clanricarde diamonds that the Princess' husband Viscount Lascelles inherited from his eccentric great-uncle, the Earl of Clanricarde? "Upon her marriage, the Princess received the Clanricarde diamonds which had been kept in a bank vault for over a century. According to legend, it had been prophesied over two hundred years previously that these diamonds would be worn by a King's daughter. "
Source: Christie's; Illustrated London News Royal Wedding Number; Papi and Rhodes, Famous Jewelry Collectors,Battenberg;

Prinzessin Mary's Diamant Federn

Zwei schöne diamantbesetzte Straußenfedernbroschen mit beweglichen Gliedern, die die Federn vibrieren lassen.

Dieser Schmuck konnte als Brosche oder im hochgestecktem Haar getragen werden.

Diamond Ring

Composed of three cushion-shaped diamonds mounted as a half-hoop with carved scrolled shoulders to the plain gold hoop, sold in auction 1970, see picture above.

Diamond and Pearl Pendant

The Begum of Bhopal presented to Princess Mary a pearl pendant, which was a popular piece of jewellery at the time.

But another source for royal and imperial jewels, the list of jewels sold after the death of the Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna, gives us the following information.

A valuation of the Dowager Empress' jewelry prepared by Hennell and Sons listed as item number 6 was a "Necklace of 144 pearls (small) with large drop pearl" sold to Lord Lascelles on 19th July 1929 for £1,615.

This piece could be the long pearl necklace with drop pearl worn by Princess Mary in the photo to the right. She is wearing a total of four pearl necklaces in different lengths. On behalf of an English family, a magnificent and rare natural pearl and diamond drop (the pearl weighing 164 grains) was sold by Humphrey Butler Ltd. London in 2010.

Another jewel found on the Hennell's list which was sold to Princess Royal was number 27, a diamond, sapphire & garnet pendant on platinum chain sold to her on 28 June 1929 for £10.

The photo of Princess Royal Mary with her sons also shows us a nice view of her square-cut emerald engagement ring.

Special thanks to Jonathan and Laura for the research and text!
Credit picture of the pearl:Humphrey Butler Ltd

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