Posters of original research, analyses, insights etc retain all rights to their work.
Such research etc cannot be used in any format without the written consent of the author.
Kent Festoon tiara
Posted by Beth on December 5, 2019, 6:56 am
As many will know I have always questioned the origin of the Festoon tiara.
Some have argued that it was an inheritance from Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyle, which I have questioned because I have never found any evidence that Princess Louise wore such a tiara. The second part of my thinking has been based on the fact that I had never seen any evidence that the tiara was worn until 1953. Based on that, I always wondered if the tiara was an inheritance from Queen Mary with the jewel having originated with Queen Alexandra who was reported to have worn a pearl and diamond tiara.
I have now found images of Princess Marina wearing the tiara in November 1951 -- which comprehensively debunks the idea that it was left to Princess Marina in Queen Mary's will.
Princess Marina wore the tiara to a charity film evening at the Odeon Theatre in November 1951.
I was able to find an image in a society magazine of the same event.
So far I haven't found any direct evidence that Princess Marina wore the tiara prior to November 1951. There are numerous references to her wearing a diamond and pearl tiara, which I have previously assumed referred to the "snake" diamond and pearl bandeau tiara.
One possible wearing might have been to a ball at Syon House in July 1951. Below is the description.
I am hesitant to say this is the Festoon tiara as the description might easily refer to the Fringe tiara she received as a wedding gift from the City of London. If the description included a reference to pearls, I wouldn't hesitate.
Hopefully, further searching will provide more clues.
Re: Kent Festoon tiara | Princess Louise's Tiaras
Posted by The Royal Watcher on December 8, 2019, 11:21 am, in reply to "Kent Festoon tiara"
Great research Beth!
I was thinking about this a few days ago, when I published an article on the Argyll-Kent Daisy Brooches, HERE, to mark the 80th Anniversary of Princess Louise's death.
I'm wondering if you've found any references to Princess Louise wearing a pearl and diamond tiara. I've seen relatively few pictures of her wearing tiaras, and I haven't heard anything about what became of them.
I have only ever found one occasion on which Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll was reported to have worn a pearl and diamond tiara. There may be many more -- but I haven't found them.
The occasion was the first State Opening of Parliament in the reign of Edward VII in February 1901.
Unfortunately I have never found an image clearly identifying Princess Louise.
The best I can find are sketches of the scene in the House of Lords.
These two give the best idea of the tiaras worn -- but I don't know if they are an accurate rendition.
The two images came from the same paper but were on different pages.
I attempted to join the two images to make it easier to see the ladies I suspect are Princesses. Unfortunately I had enlarged the second image more than the first!!
on December 5, 2019, 6:56 am
