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I recently discovered the image below of Lady Joan Peake, one of the two daughters of Adele Grant, Countess of Essex.



I also re-read more closely what Geoffrey Munn said in his Tiaras. A history of splendour . According to Munn, Clementine Churchill was a friend of Adele, Countess of Essex. As we all know, Clementine Churchill wore the Essex tiara to the 1953 coronation.


And I no longer think that the tiara worn by the wife of the 8th Earl to the 1937 coronation is the Cartier Essex tiara.

1937 coronation


When I posted about the Essex tiara in November last year https://mb.boardhost.com/historyroyaljewels/thread/1605945011.html I hadn't had a chance to fully investigate the wills of the 7th Earl or his wife, Adele. His will does not mention jewels at all, so that does not give us any clues about whether this tiara was an heirloom which was at the disposal of the 8th Earl, who was a step son to Adele. On the other hand, Adele's will ensured that all her property, including her jewellery (not itemised) was left equally to her two daughters: Lady Iris and Lady Joan de Vere Capell. Lady Joan became Lady Joan Peake following her marriage, and was the mother of Iris Peake, Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Margaret.

That leads to some interesting speculation. Did the tiara remain in the possession of one or both of the daughters until a later date? Had it been sold earlier and either the new owner or a jeweller subsequently lent it to Clementine Churchill and Lady Joan Peake?

One thing which to me allows for the possibility that the tiara may have been borrowed by Lady Joan is the brooch at her waist. It bears a striking similarity to one seen on Lady Dudley. I cannot decide if the two ladies were wearing the same brooch as the detail on the photo of Lady Joan is not 100% clear.

What do others think?

Lady Dudley


Comparison of the brooches