Regards,
Dave.
After the Duchess of Cornwall initially wore the Prince of Wales feathers brooch, which had been given to Queen Alexandra as a wedding gift from from the Ladies of North Wales in 1863, there was considerable discussion about the brooch.
One of the issues was how (and when) the brooch was returned to the Queen or the Prince of Wales. Did Princess Diana have to return it after the divorce etc?
Not all the queries can be solved, but I think that one possible scenario might resolve some of the issues: that the brooch was left by Queen Alexandra for future Princesses of Wales or left to future Princes of Wales.
We know from Hugh Roberts The Queen's Diamonds p. 98 that, although Queen Alexandra did not write a will, she designated (in her jewel inventory) that the Dagmar Necklace was to become an heirloom of the Crown. (Roberts also explained in another section that Queen Alexandra had indicated in her inventory which jewels were to go to specific people)
I suspect that Queen Alexandra may have listed the Prince of Wales feather brooch as an heirloom for future Princes or Princesses of Wales.
If so, that would explain why the brooch/pendant was not seen on any of the royal ladies until it was worn by Princess Diana.
There is no evidence (to date so far) that it was worn by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother after Queen Alexandra's death. We do know, however, that QEQM began wearing Queen Alexandra's emerald earrings in the years following the latter's death and the other brooch/pendant (the leek brooch) given by the Ladies of North Wales shortly after she became Queen.
If the brooch was entailed, to either Princes or Princesses of Wales, that explains why it was worn by both Princess Diana and the Duchess of Cornwall who, while not using the title, is Princess of Wales.
As, in royal circles, the feathers are seen as a symbol of the Prince of Wales, the brooch/pendant is not something which would be considered appropriate for other royal ladies to wear, especially as this jewel also incorporates the motto of the Princes of Wales.
If the brooch was entailed, that suggests it was never part of the Queen Mother's collection. Is there any definite evidence that the Queen Mother gave it to Princess Diana? Or is that perhaps just a belief which has evolved?
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