History of Famous Jewels and Collections: Re: Fate of the British Royal Jewel Collection

Dear all,

I do think that it is difficult to know the fate of the British Royal jewel collection.

Please find below my answers to this question :

1° My feeling is the fact the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge are lent the most important jewels (well known) for example the Delhi Durbar tiara, the Greville boucheron tiara...the Lover knot tiara...

2° We have also to bear in mind that Princess Anne was lent a huge unknown diamond tiara on least once : the double Greek key tiara. Same thing with Princess Eugenie with the Emerald greville tiara...

3° Contrary to what many think, princess Diana was lent many jewels at the beginning of her wedding...maybe also unknown jewels from us such as the diamond floral necklace worn with E. Taylor or the pearl and diamond choker worn several times in 1981.

4° I have the feeling that the Countess of wessex is lent jewels which are not known by the public (or us)..for example the necklaces worn only once or the brooch with citrines worn also by QEII.

I am however struck by the fact the jewels lent by QEII and worn by the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess are always known by us...except few jewels such as the enormous citrine ? brooch or the sapphire and diamond pendant brooch, the aquamarine and diamond demi-parure which must be from the vault.

Franck

Previous Message

Great thread idea.

I think that Her Maj has a great sense of duty and history and will not leave anything much to anyone bar Charles and possibly William.

Having said that she may ensure that Sophie has some lifetime loans to see her through.

I also suspect that some of her most private jewells such as those given by family and her husband may be given out so that each grandchild has a bracelet, ring or earrings or brooch.

Mike

Previous Message

I was thinking this afternoon about QEII latest brooch to debut at the Scottish garden party, and though gee she has a collection. I remember looking at the ‘Dressing the Queen’ book some time ago, and seeing a number of smaller brooches that we have rarely / never seen HM wear. Anyway, it got me to thinking, why HM never seems to pass on any brooches to her grand-daughters etc. For example, I don’t ever recall Princess Beatrice or Eugenie wearing and brooches passed down etc.. I’m not suggesting excessively valuable, or historical pieces, but with such a large collection, it seems a shame for to be stored away.

In the same vein, I wonder whether HM will bequeath many items through her will - somehow I think not. When you think of Queen Mary, you think of the extensive parures that she gave each daughter in law, and then the items she gave Princess Margaret etc... HM doesn’t seem to have this inclination. For example, Sophie, Beatrice, Eugenie, Katherine etc all do not appear to have a simple collet necklace.

I do fear if HM does not distribute much, that it will be generations before we see many pieces again. Let’s face it - Camilla seems to really only prefer her pearl chokers, even though she has numerous coloured gem necklaces. It’s not a criticism, just the way things has gone over the years. Likewise I cannot see Camila gifting / distributing much - she will more play a caretaker role I think. So it may well not until Katherine becomes the new PoW or Queen before we see items dusted off.

These are just my Sunday afternoon thoughts - what do others feel?