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Queen Mary's City of London Choker Necklace| British Royal Jewels Queen Mary England
Queen Mary’s City of London Diamond and Pearl Choker
Among the many splendid wedding gifts presented to Princess May of Teck upon her marriage to the future King George V in 1893, few captured the spirit of civic loyalty and craftsmanship as vividly as the magnificent offering from the Corporation of the City of London.
THE WEDDING GIFT. .....raising sum of money with which to provide a wedding gift from the city of London for the Duke of York and his bride, the Princess May of Teck.--------
The presentation was conceived not merely as a gesture from the governing body, but as an expression of collective devotion from the citizens of London. Funds were raised across the community, ensuring that the gift symbolised both wealth and widespread public affection. The total expenditure reached approximately £2,310, a considerable sum at the time.
Before its formal presentation, the gifts were exhibited at the Guildhall, where they attracted great admiration. The principal offering consisted of an elaborate silver service by Elkington & Co*., executed in early English style and valued at around £1,600, alongside a jewel of exceptional refinement: a pearl and diamond collarette supplied by Garrard of Haymarket.
The jewel—later known as the Queen Mary's City of London Choker—was described in contemporary reports as a “superb pearl and diamond collarette”, presented in a pale blue velvet case bearing a silver inscription.
Its design was both rich and highly adaptable:
Composed of three rows of diamonds and two rows of pearls
Forming a gently widening centre, creating a soft, collar-like silhouette
Designed for versatility, allowing conversion into bracelets and smaller necklaces
The jewel contained:
108 brilliant-cut diamonds
72 pearls
296 rubies, subtly integrated into the design and adding warmth to the overall composition
This combination of diamonds, pearls, and rubies reflects the late Victorian taste for opulence balanced with structural elegance.
On 7 July 1893, the gifts were formally presented at York House, St James’s Palace, by the Lord Mayor and a distinguished deputation of the City Corporation.
The ceremonial procession from the Guildhall, complete with civic regalia—the Sword and Mace Bearers, aldermen in levée dress, and officials in traditional robes—underscored the importance of the occasion.
In his reply, the Duke of York expressed deep gratitude, noting that the gifts would be “highly prized and valued” by both himself and the Duchess.
The City of London Choker became one of Queen Mary’s frequently worn jewels, admired for both its elegance and its adaptability.
In 1953, it passed to Queen Elizabeth II, continuing its place within the core royal collection. In later decades, it was also worn by Princess Anne, demonstrating its enduring versatility across generations.
Notably, the choker reappeared in a modern royal context when it was worn at the State Banquet fo Nigeria in London in 2026, linking a jewel rooted in late Victorian civic pride with contemporary royal representation.
The City of London Choker stands as more than a wedding gift. It represents:
The collective identity and loyalty of London’s citizens
The craftsmanship of leading royal jewellers such as Messrs. R. S. Garrard and Co.
And the enduring tradition of transformable royal jewellery, designed to adapt across generations
It remains one of the most historically evocative jewels associated with Queen Mary, embodying both public sentiment and royal continuity.
PRESENTATIONS TO THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF YORK. On Saturday afternoon the wedding gift from the Cor- poration of the City of London to the Duke and Duchess of York was presented to their Royal Highnesses by a deputation from that body at York House, St. James's. The deputation was headed by the Lord Mayor and the Sheriffs, and included Alderman Sir J. Whittaker Ellis, the mover, and Mr. Alfred Brookman, the seconder, of the address, and about 30 other members of the Corporation. The Lord Mayor and Aldermen wore Levee dress, and the Commoners their mazarine gowns. The Comptroller and the Remembrancer, with tho Sword and Mace Bearers, were also present. Tiie party drove in procession from the Guildhall. At York House they were received by the Duke aud Duchess of York, in attendance upon whom were Lady Eva Greville, General Sir F. de Winton, and Captain tiie Hon. Derek Keppel.
The Corporation presents, which consist of several chests of dinner table silver, aud a pearl and diamond necklace for the Duchess, were laid out in the Audienceroom. The Lord Mayor, addressing their Royal Highnesses, said he was privileged to approach them on the pari of the Corporation to ask their acceptance of the servicec of silver which they had permitted them to offer. They would have had great pleasure in receiving them and welcoming them in their Guildhall, but thoy were mindful of the gracious courtesy they showed in coming through the City on that auspicious day when all England rejoiced U see its promised heir unite himself to England's choice, and they accepted heartily their Royal Highnesses' desira that they should make the offering there, and to her Royal Highness the Duchess in particular the Corporation offered the necklet, which, by her permission, he now handed to her, trusting that for many a long day it might give her pleasure. With both the otferings they gave their heartfelt wishes that they might live in happiness and joy, and that our children might see them after many years occupying the Throne of England, following in the steps of her in whose reign all England rejoiced, and that they might ever keep the love and respect of all as now they had them. The Duke of York, in reply, said on the part of the Duchess and himself he thanked the Lord Mayor , Aldermen, and Corporation of tho City of London most warmly for the very beautiful wedding presents they had been kind enough to give them, and which they would ever highly appreciate and value. He begged that their thanks might be conveyed by the deputation to the Corporation generally. With that the deputation retired. Subsequently a deputation from the Mansion House Committee of the fund for presenting a wedding gift to their Royal Highnesses from the inhabitants and citizens ol | London was received by the Duke and Duchess. The Lord Mayor introduced the deputation, which included Alderman Sir William Lawrence, Sir Albert Rollit, M.P., President, and Mr. W. H. Willans, Chairman, of the London Cham- ber of Commerce, Sir G. H. Chubb, the Archdeacon ot London, General Sir Richard Pollock, Alderman Vaughan Morgan, Mr. Roger Eykyn, Mr. Henry Clarke, Mr. Robert Wales, Mr. T. J. Barratt, Mr. W. M. Candy, Mr. Walter Bird, Mr. Thomas Gabriel, Mr. Deputy Harvey, Mr. H. S. Foster, M.P., Mr. A. Prevost, Mr. W. M. Cross, Mr. Deputy Snowden, Mr. Henry C. Driscoll, and others. In making the presentation the Lord Mayor said the City of London was not content that its good wishes should be limited to the offering of the Corporation, but desired in a more personal sense to show the love and respect enter- tained for their Royal Highnesses by those who worked and lived in the City and the Metropolis. With I, that view they now presented to their Royal Highnesses soma exquisite tapestry for the adornment of York House, and he hoped that it might occasionally remind them of tha affection and regard in which they and their Royal House were held in that loyal City. The Duke of York said the Duchess and he much admired the very beautiful tapestry which the donors to the Mansion House Fund had presented to them, and which they had had hung that day in its permanent position so that the deputation might see it, and appreciate its beauty as they did. The deputation having, with their Royal Highnesses, in- spected tho tapestry, withdrew. Tho present consists ot four large and two small parcels of old tapestry after Teniers, made by Edward Lymels, of Lisle, about 1680, and representing rural scenes.
*The dinner-service of silver was ordered to be specially manufactured the well-known firm of Elkington and Co., Limited, 73, Cheapside, E.C. It will be seen by the sketches, that the most conspicuous feature of the various items is an elegant simplicity which, combined with excellent workmanship and extreme solidity, give the service a distinetion which a much more elaborately ornate design might easily lack, and the Royal and ducal coronets, the Royal Arms, and the Rose and Lion of England form, with Queen Anne fluting, almost the sole ornamentation of the service. Yet the shape of the various pieces are in such good taste and the workmanship of such admirable quality that the whole service, for dinner and dessert, comprising nearly twelve hurdred pieces, forms a gift truly worthy of Royal acceptance. beautiful fruit dishes, cight bon-bon dishes ; a set ol four duinty rosa-bowls on pedestals, four tall and richly-chased beakers or vases, and a very massive and clegant rose-water dish, and tall shapely ewer with superb handles. The smaller items are fitted into two polished brass-mounted oak cabinets lined with scarlet cloth, whilst the larger articles are fitted into two polished oak chests of considerable dimensions, similarly mounted and lined. The inscription plates on these chests are inscrited as follows : " Presented by the Corporation of the City of London to their Roval Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York on their marriage, Gth July, 1803." The weight of silver in the entire service is between four and five thonsand ounces.
Sources: BNA;Archive Ursula Butschal, Royal Collection The Times;
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