History of Famous Jewels and Collections: Re: Prince Michael

The current Duchess of Kent was involved with Lloyds of London syndicates back in the 1970/80's and took a large number of losses. This is where I believe the first jewellery sales then stemmed from as whatever money the duke had in terms of inheritance and trust was probably some of the first to go.

They also had three children to educate and whilst receiving civil list payments these were expected to fund the personal requirements of royal engagements.

The duke and duchess are also separated and they are now effectively running two households. I guess with the duchess not having undertaken tiara events in decades and with tiara's probably only coming out of the bank for family weddings and the parure having already had a hatchet job done on it. Guess it became the most likely option.

Prince Michael I believe had a trust in his name and could as a non working member of the royal family undertake some discreet commercial ventures. The Princess had been previously married to a quite wealthy guy so brought some money in from her divorce.

Princess Alexandra's husband Sir Angus Ogilvy was also quite wealthy from his commercial ventures - he was not an official royal so could undertake those as well.

Apart from that sort of fringe with pearls what tiara's do the Duke & Duchess have left?

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The Kents are definitely the most interesting branch of the British Royal Family in my opinion.

Christopher Warwick's Biography 'George and Marina' does go someway to explaining why they are always short on money.

Basically, when Prince George, Duke of Kent died in WW2 not only did his Civil list money cease, Marina also had to pay death duties (the only war widow in Britain made to do so apparently). Princess Marina having very little financial support from her own exiled family was expected to fund her children's education and keep up appearances herself. Although hardly destitute, they were always known as 'the poor relations'

But what I have never understood is how or why the Duke of Kent is so bad with money. He is a working royal so he would get money from the Civil List to funds his royal works. He lives in Kensington Palace which is a grace and favour home. He was also the Vice Chairman of the British Trade International for years.

I once watched an interview with Princess Michael and she stated that Prince Michael didn't get a Civil List allowance which would explain why they have their many commercial endeavours.

Apart from the jewellery there was also a small uproar a few years ago when they sold of some furniture and silver that had been presented to them by various British organisations.

I dunno, as much as I lament with what they've done with the jewels I don't know their situation. Who knows, Prince Charles likes history and works of art, maybe he could bring them back into the Royal Collection.