During her life, Princess Margaret owned two diamond riviere necklaces :
- One bequeathed to her by Queen Mary in 1953 (sold in the auction of her jewels)
- Another one unknown which was inherited by her daughter Lady Sarak Chatto
This unknown necklace must have been given to Princess Margaret as a 21st birthday present from her father King George VI.
These two necklaces are very similar. However, it appears that the one given by her father is smaller and near the neck.
Please find below photos :
The one from her father :
Princess Margaret appears to have worn on least 3 other diamonds necklaces :
1. Smaller collet necklace (worn by Princess Elizabeth in 1951 and in Malta - certainly worn by Lady Mary Elphinstone)
2. A shorther, graduated collet necklace
Princess Margaret wore this necklace before being offered the one by her father (and left the one from Queen Mary).
This necklace must have been worn by the Duchess of cambridge in 2019.
(Maybe owned by Queen Mary or owned by QEQM).
3. Another one : a shorter and not graduated necklace
Princess Margaret has worn another necklace in 1951.
My conclusion :
- Princess Margaret loved wearing rivieres (contrary to coloured necklaces)
- Princess Margaret has worn more rivieres (on least 5 differents) than her sister QEII (Only 2).
- Princess Margaret must have been lent rivieres by her grandmother Queen Mary and her mother Queen Elizabeth between 1946 and 1953.
- QEQM must have had more than 3 rivieres.
She might have been left one from Mrs Greville.
- Last but not least the Duchess of cambridge wore one in 2019. It appears to be the one worn by Princess Margaret (and maybe from Queen Mary).
My own speculation is the fact the QEII was left this necklace in 2002 by her mother.
Franck