The Women of Hampshire Pendant Brooch| Headornament| Honeysuckle Aigrette|Queen Mary Royal Wedding Gift

The Women of Hampshire Brooch. Presented to the Princess Mary, by a committee chaired by the Duchess of Wellington.

A large and representative gathering assembled at Apsley House last week to choose the wedding present.
A pendant in the finest diamonds, with a most beautiful pear-shaped pearl-drop was selected. It was forwarded to Her Serene Highness in a case, on which was inscribed, "Presented to H.S.H. Princess May of Teck be the women of Hampshire on her marriage." The following letter of acknowledgment was received, by the Duchess of Wellington:

White Lodge, Richmond Park, July 4th 1893.

Dear Duchess - I hasten to acknowledge with my warmest and most heartfelt thanks, the lovely present I received last night from the women of Hampshire. Will you please tell them how grateful I am for the beautiful diamond and pearl pendant, which I shall often wear. Believe me, yours very sincerely. May.

Mary first wore the brooch while staying with Queen Victoria at Osborne House during her honeymoon as pendant. In 1896 this picture above was taken of her, wearing the center of the Women of Hampshire Brooch as a head ornament, without the pendants. The scrolls are probably changed and the honeysuckle center had two more leaves in this early version, as well as the large diamonds were later added, probably the scrolls changed the side for a wider hanging of the large diamonds.

Sources: Hampshire Telegraph The Times, Royal Collection

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