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Royal Order of Victoria and Albert - jewelled insignia Posted by DavoST on May 26, 2020, 10:51 pm I hope that you all saw Thomas’ wonderful post last year on the confirmation gift of HH Princess Astrid of Norway to her great-niece HKH Princess Ingrid Alexandra the bracelet made from bejewelled first-class badge of the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert that was presented to HM Queen Maud by her grandmother HM Queen Victoria upon her confirmation on March 10, 1888. If you haven’t it is at Thomas' post "A Special Gift" do yourself a favour and have a read. Very informative and beautifully illustrated. It is also a nice way to post about my research on these lovely pieces of jewellery that make up the different classes of the order, the next installment on royal family orders. Royal Order of Victoria and Albert The first jewelled cameo badge was given to HRH The Princess Royal in 1856 (20/3), at the time of her confirmation. A second badge was given to her sister HRH The Princess Louise in 1859 (21/4), also at her confirmation. It was formally founded as an order of February 10, 1862. Then enlarged to two classes in 1864, three in 1865, and then the final composition of four classes in 1880. There is a list of recipients of the four different classes of the order (reprinted from the order's official register) included on pages 37-41 of Royal Service Volume II by Risk, J, Pownall, H, Stanley, D & Tamplin. This very informative publication has an opening chapter, “The Royal Family Orders and the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert”, followed by lists of those awarded the different orders, from the VA onwards. The Royal Collection Trust (RCT) has a few badges on their website for us to admire. HM Queen Victoria’s badge (with the cameo cut with the head of Prince Consort in front of her own) can be found at… https://www.rct.uk/collection/441445/badge-of-the-order-of-victoria-and-albert-first-class The first class badge of Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra of Denmark (later HRH The Princess of Wales and HM Queen Alexandra) that was presented to her prior to her wedding to the Prince of Wales is online at… https://www.rct.uk/collection/441446/badge-of-the-order-of-victoria-and-albert-first-class The second class badge of HH Princes Helena Victoria is in the collection of the RCT, however it is not on their website catalogue. A photograph of it, with the 3rd and 4th class insignia appears in Risk et al’s Royal Service Volume II p23 (or can we found online at https://www.valka.cz/Kralovsky-rad-Viktorie-a-Alberta-t127991 Badges of the third and fourth class can be found in the auction records of eMedals. The third class is at https://www.emedals.com/united-kingdom-an-order-of-victoria-and-albert-iii-class-badge-by-j-ronca-c-4007 (What a stunning case for the insignia too!) and the fourth class badge at https://www.emedals.com/united-kingdom-a-royal-order-of-victoria-and-albert-iv-class-in-gold-diamonds-and-pearls-c-1890 Now to address a few queries about the order and its members.

Re: Order of Victoria and Albert - issues members not in register Posted by DavoST on May 26, 2020, 11:32 pm, in reply to "Royal Order of Victoria and Albert - jewelled insignia " Issues: There were some recipients not listed as member of the order in the register included in Risk et al’s Royal Service Volume II, but evidence exists of them most definitely wearing the insignia. Most of the official sources say there were no further appointment’s after the death of Queen Victoria. HRH Princess Beatrice of Edinburgh (born 20 April 1884), later HRH Duchess of Galliera is listed at the end of the section of second class appointees, with an * which notes, “* There would be no record of the date of the award of the Order to Princess Beatrice of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha as she then was. The strong probability is that she was given it at the time of her Confirmation in July 1899.” • HRH Princess Patricia of Connaught (later Lady Patricia Ramsey), born 17 March 1886 Princess Patricia’s older Sister, Margaret (born 15 January 1882) was appointed to the order after her confirmation in March 1898 at the age of 16. I would have assumed Patricia would have followed the same pattern and received hers upon confirmation, four years after her sister, roughly March 1902 – 14 months after Queen Victoria’s death! She first appears wearing the insignia of the second class in photographs alongside her mother and sister of their attire for the 1902 coronation. https://www.rct.uk/collection/2810132/the-duchess-of-connaught-with-princess-margaret-and-princess-patricia-of • HH Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg (later HM Queen Ena of Spain), born 24 October 1887 Following Queen Victoria’s standard procedure I would have expected Princess Victoria Eugenie to have been appointed to the order upon confirmation around October 1903 – 33 months after the death of Queen Victoria!! There is a photo of Princess Beatrice and Princess Victoria Eugenie in their dress for the 1902 coronation https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/AasFJNXruHBFcSSSenW-Zfxn_p6l_KoS4PZ1lnFhF7CKhstmhVvAhmA from my eye I can’t quite see the young princess wearing the insignia of the second class VA. However by the time of the wedding of HRH Princess Margaret of Connaught to HKH Prins Gustav Adolf, Duke of Skane in July 1905 she was wearing one of the jewelled badges. HRH Princess Patricia of Connaught, HRH Princess Beatrice of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and HH Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg were the bridesmaids for the Connaught-Bernadotte wedding. All three wearing the insignia of the VA 2nd class. HRH Princess Mary of Wales (wearing Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee medal and King Edward VII’s coronation medal) was flower girl. We know from the note above, and a similar note about the unknown date of appointment of The Viscountess Churchill to the 3rd class of the order some time in 1901 "exact date of appointment is unknown" that there were irregularities in the order's register at the end of Queen Victoria's life. As her two youngest grand-daughters were the only ones that had not yet received the Order (as usually expected to be conferred upon their confirmation), I propose that the order's register of members was not updated after the death of Queen Victoria, and the King Edward VII gave the insignia of the second class to the two princesses, either soon after their grandmother's death, or as originally planned by her, upon their confirmations (and he likewise may have given the 3rd class insignia to Viscountess Churchill if she was the only one of Queen Victoria's ladies of the bedchamber who did did not hold the VA at the time of Her Majesty's passing.) While HM Queen Victoria' statues for the Order of Victoria and Albert show her intention that the order should continue under her heirs and successors, the new King Had other ideas. In making these final appointments, His Majesty was probably privately tying up some loose ends so he could then rule a line under the order. For in the lead up to his coronation in 1902, HM King Edward VII had created is own order and distributed its insignia to his close family. (More on that another day)

Re: Order of Victoria and Albert - issues - HH Princess Victoria Eugenie 2nd class badge Posted by DavoST on May 27, 2020, 12:17 am, in reply to "Re: Order of Victoria and Albert - issues members not in register" As noted in the previous post, by 1905 HH Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg definitely was wearing the insignia of the order's 2nd class. There are a number of images of her wearing the 2nd class insignia while HM The Queen of Spain. For example... In the last decades of her life Her Majesty wore the insignia of the Order's 1st Class, specifically the badge that had belonged to her mother. (More on that, and other members of the second class that ended up wearing 1st class badges later in life, in an upcoming post.) What concerns me now was the sale of her original 2nd class badge. On March 1, 2017, at their "ORDERS, DECORATIONS, MEDALS AND MILITARIA (1 & 2 MARCH 2017)" auction, Dix Noonan Webb Ltd (https://www.dnw.co.uk/) offered for sale Lot 968 Described as, "An extremely rare 2nd Class badge of the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert attributed to Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, Queen Victoria’s last granddaughter, later married to King Alfonso XIII to become Queen Ena of Spain" the badge (and accompanying ceremonial "key to the bedchamber) sold for £10,000 To my eyes the ribbon looks like a new replacement for the original (other examples have taken on a more ivory tinge). Any thoughts my friends? I'll let you all read the rest of the description, provenance etc on their website. However I will note this sentence, "It consists of a cameo surrounded by pearls and surmounted by an English Royal Crown and is set in precious stones" [Underlining is my emphasis.] As the lot notes describe further down, "The new Second Class, however, was to be ‘smaller but of greater value than the [old] Second Class’. In the end it emerged as a small onyx cameo in a crowned frame of small brilliants." So why is this badge surrounded by pearls instead of the usual diamonds? In the top photo of HM The Queen of Spain they look like diamonds to me. But I can't be 100% sure until I see a higher resolution photograph. Perhaps during her exile the diamonds were replaced by pearls to help pay some bills? Any thoughts on this quite fascinating piece?

Re: Order of Victoria and Albert - issues - HH Princess Victoria Eugenie 2nd class badge Posted by Knightship on May 27, 2020, 10:05 pm, in reply to "Re: Order of Victoria and Albert - issues - HH Princess Victoria Eugenie 2nd class badge" I'm clueless when it comes to Royal orders so reading your post is pure joy. Thank you for sharing your extensive research DavoST! Previous Message As noted in the previous post, by 1905 HH Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg definitely was wearing the insignia of the order's 2nd class. There are a number of images of her wearing the 2nd class insignia while HM The Queen of Spain. For example... In the last decades of her life Her Majesty wore the insignia of the Order's 1st Class, specifically the badge that had belonged to her mother. (More on that, and other members of the second class that ended up wearing 1st class badges later in life, in an upcoming post.) What concerns me now was the sale of her original 2nd class badge. On March 1, 2017, at their "ORDERS, DECORATIONS, MEDALS AND MILITARIA (1 & 2 MARCH 2017)" auction, Dix Noonan Webb Ltd ( https://www.dnw.co.uk/ ) offered for sale Lot 968 Described as, "An extremely rare 2nd Class badge of the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert attributed to Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, Queen Victoria’s last granddaughter, later married to King Alfonso XIII to become Queen Ena of Spain" the badge (and accompanying ceremonial "key to the bedchamber) sold for £10,000 To my eyes the ribbon looks like a new replacement for the original (other examples have taken on a more ivory tinge). Any thoughts my friends? I'll let you all read the rest of the description, provenance etc on their website. However I will note this sentence, "It consists of a cameo surrounded by pearls and surmounted by an English Royal Crown and is set in precious stones" [Underlining is my emphasis.] As the lot notes describe further down, "The new Second Class, however, was to be ‘smaller but of greater value than the [old] Second Class’. In the end it emerged as a small onyx cameo in a crowned frame of small brilliants." So why is this badge surrounded by pearls instead of the usual diamonds? In the top photo of HM The Queen of Spain they look like diamonds to me. But I can't be 100% sure until I see a higher resolution photograph. Perhaps during her exile the diamonds were replaced by pearls to help pay some bills? Any thoughts on this quite fascinating piece?

Re: Order of Victoria and Albert -Thank you Knightship Posted by DavoST on May 27, 2020, 10:10 pm, in reply to "Re: Order of Victoria and Albert - issues - HH Princess Victoria Eugenie 2nd class badge" Thank you Knightship, you made my day! (I've been working away on next post in the chain. Feels worthwhile now.) Previous Message I'm clueless when it comes to Royal orders so reading your post is pure joy. Thank you for sharing your extensive research DavoST!

Re:Order of Victoria & Albert - 2nd class Members wearing 1st class badge #1 Posted by DavoST on May 27, 2020, 10:38 pm, in reply to "Royal Order of Victoria and Albert - jewelled insignia " Excepting the two original badges, once the order was formally founded, all the new members signed an undertaking to return the badges upon their death. After the order became obsolete, a number of badges continued to be returned before Kings Edward VII and his successors allowed family members to keep them. Hence the first class badge of Queen Maude of Norway was given to granddaughter Princess Astrid, who wore it as bracelet, and recently gifted it to her great-niece. A number of these family members were also members of the Order, and if they were in the 2nd class and inherited a first class badge from their mother, permission was normally granted for them to wear the larger badge. Examples we know of include HRH Princess Alice of Athlone, who started wearing her mother’s badge after HRH The Duchess of Albany’s death in 1922. Here are some links to her wearing her original 2nd class badge https://www.rct.uk/collection/2936159/princess-alice-and-princess-helen-of-albany shows Princess Alice with her mother, wearing their 1902 coronation robes. in her 1911 coronation robes. Here are some links to her wearing the 1st class badge post-1922 Princess Alice of Athlone items in Toronto Public Library collection including at the opening of the Canadian Parliament during her husband’s term as Governor General. (I’m sure I read somewhere that after Princess Alice’s death her daughter Lady May Abel Smith inherited her mother’s royal orders insignia and had the crowns removed so she could wear the jewelled cameos as brooches. I must follow that up. Does anyone readily know of a source?)

Re:Order of Victoria & Albert - 2nd class members wearing 1st class badge #2 Posted by DavoST on May 27, 2020, 10:53 pm, in reply to "Royal Order of Victoria and Albert - jewelled insignia " Another 2nd class member that wore the 1st class insignia later in life was Queen Ena of Spain – presumably her mother’s badge, worn after her death in 1944. (Her mother had inherited Queen Victoria’s own badge in 1901, and this was returned to the royal collection after Princess Beatrice’s death.) https://royal-magazin.de/spain/Victoria-Eugenia-reina-diadem.htm Shows her wearing the second class insignia (as does my other post on her actual 2nd class badge and its sale). While the following show her wearing the 1st class badge late in her life... I wonder where it is now? Is it with the Spanish royal family? Has anyone come across any reference to it? Some more research required.

Re:Order of Victoria & Albert - 2nd class members wearing 1st class badge #3 Posted by DavoST on May 27, 2020, 11:08 pm, in reply to "Royal Order of Victoria and Albert - jewelled insignia " Princess Helena Victoria & Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein Both of these granddaughters of Queen Victoria, (through her daughter Princess Helena – Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein) were members of the Order’s second class. The wonderful publication Ancient and Modern Gems and Jewels In the Collection of Her Majesty The Queen (available for us all to enjoy online as a free PDF see… https://www.rct.uk/collection/themes/publications/ancient-and-modern-gems-and-jewels) tells us on p250 that both sisters’ second class badges are in the RCT collection. As is their mother’s first class badge, p247, this is noted as “The badge was duly returned, together with the Princess’s other Orders, in 1923”. Yet they are both photographed wearing the insignia of the Order’s first class. Upon their initially returning the insignia, did HM King George V allow the elder sister Princess Helena Victoria to wear her mother’s badge during her lifetime, and then it was passed on to Princess Marie Louise upon her death in 1948? (Or did they share it, and individually wear it on important occasions?) Either way if that was the case it appears to have been returned to the Royal Collection after Princess Marie Louise’s passing. Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein’s badge was the first given upon the former establishment of the Order in 1862, so it is a historic badge. See https://www.rct.uk/collection/442015/badge-of-the-order-of-victoria-and-albert-first-class for the badge and https://www.rct.uk/collection/2908120/princess-christian-of-schleswig-holstein-1846-1923-when-princess-helena-princess for her wearing it on her wedding dress. Princess Helena Victoria https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/photo-card-princess-helena-victoria-1853446274 shows her wearing the first class insignia in the attire she wore to the 1937 Coronation.

Re:Order of Victoria & Albert - 2nd class Members wearing 1st class badge #4 Posted by DavoST on May 27, 2020, 11:35 pm, in reply to "Royal Order of Victoria and Albert - jewelled insignia " Princess Marie Louise Her Highness is shown wearing the 2nd class badge in a portrait from 1937, around the time of the coronation, most probably in her robes from that event. She wears the GBE, the VA 2nd class, the Crown of India and HM King George V’s Silver Jubilee medal. There are two portraits in the National Portrait Gallery’s online collection This one shows the insignia more clearly... By the time of the 1953 Coronation, after her sister's death, she’s wearing the 1st class badge. Indeed she had also been upgraded from a GBE to a GCVO, and she wears these alongside the CI badge she also wore at the previous coronation. https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw175370/Princess-Marie-Louise-of-Schleswig-Holstein https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw175415/Princess-Marie-Louise-of-Schleswig-Holstein

Re:Order of Victoria & Albert - 2nd class Members wearing 1st class badge #4 Posted by Dave on May 28, 2020, 3:44 am, in reply to "Re:Order of Victoria & Albert - 2nd class Members wearing 1st class badge #4" Thank you DavoST for this information and research, your pictures are of very good quality. I have managed to identify the bracelet on PML's left hand which looks similar to the bracelet worn by HM or is it the PRPA, I think it can also be worn as a necklace if I am right, I may be mistaken but it sure looks close. The granddaughters of QV seem to have been extremely well kept with very outstanding jewels for minor royals to boot. Her big sun brooch was previously discussed as being in the collection of the late QEQM. The royal collection is an extremely fabulous collection, the ruby ring caught my attention. Regards, Dave. Previous Message Princess Marie Louise Her Highness is shown wearing the 2nd class badge in a portrait from 1937, around the time of the coronation, most probably in her robes from that event. She wears the GBE, the VA 2nd class, the Crown of India and HM King George V’s Silver Jubilee medal. There are two portraits in the National Portrait Gallery’s online collection This one shows the insignia more clearly... By the time of the 1953 Coronation, after her sister's death, she’s wearing the 1st class badge. Indeed she had also been upgraded from a GBE to a GCVO, and she wears these alongside the CI badge she also wore at the previous coronation. https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw175370/Princess-Marie-Louise-of-Schleswig-Holstein https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw175415/Princess-Marie-Louise-of-Schleswig-Holstein

Re:Order of Victoria & Albert - 2nd class Members wearing 1st class badge #4 Posted by OmerH on May 28, 2020, 4:32 am, in reply to "Re:Order of Victoria & Albert - 2nd class Members wearing 1st class badge #4" What an amazing thread DavoST!!! Many many many thanks for such detailed and informative posts!!!

Re:Order of Victoria & Albert - 2nd class Members wearing 1st class badge #4 Posted by DavoST on May 28, 2020, 5:43 pm, in reply to "Re:Order of Victoria & Albert - 2nd class Members wearing 1st class badge #4" My pleasure OMerH, more to come! Cheers DavoST Previous Message What an amazing thread DavoST!!! Many many many thanks for such detailed and informative posts!!!

Re:Order of Victoria & Albert - 2nd class Members wearing 1st class badge #4 Posted by DavoST on May 28, 2020, 5:42 pm, in reply to "Re:Order of Victoria & Albert - 2nd class Members wearing 1st class badge #4" Dave, glad to be be of assistance. There are some truly wonderful resources available for us to explore online. Cheers DavoST Previous Message Thank you DavoST for this information and research, your pictures are of very good quality. I have managed to identify the bracelet on PML's left hand which looks similar to the bracelet worn by HM or is it the PRPA, I think it can also be worn as a necklace if I am right, I may be mistaken but it sure looks close. The granddaughters of QV seem to have been extremely well kept with very outstanding jewels for minor royals to boot. Her big sun brooch was previously discussed as being in the collection of the late QEQM. The royal collection is an extremely fabulous collection, the ruby ring caught my attention. Regards, Dave.

Re:Order of Victoria & Albert - 2nd class Members wearing 1st class badge #4 Posted by Beth on May 30, 2020, 8:18 am, in reply to "Re:Order of Victoria & Albert - 2nd class Members wearing 1st class badge #4" What an incredibly interesting topic! Thanks DavoST!! These are issues which I have never noticed previously. Again you have unearthed instances where personal orders have been given (presented) after the death of the head of the order. I suspect it highlights the importance attached to being able to wear orders and badges in a hierarchical society where every nuance of rank was upheld, and scrutinised by others. I am intrigued at how Queen Ena's second class badge has been changed to having a border of pearls rather than diamonds. I doubt if Queen Ena was ever in such dire need that she stripped small (and possibility low quality) diamonds from an order to pay her bills, as the sale of an intact item would render it more valuable. The sale of large items (well documented) is understandable, but to strip a badge of small diamonds, thereby decreasing its value, seems illogical.

Re: Order of Victoria & Albert - jewelled insignia worn on sash, 1893 Posted by DavoST on June 4, 2020, 5:29 pm, in reply to "Royal Order of Victoria and Albert - jewelled insignia " Sashes for the members of the First Class, 1893 The Rules and Regulation of the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert were last updated in 1887. Indeed this update is dated December 31, 1887. [These are reproduced on pages 44-46 of Risk et al’s Royal Service Volume II] One of the changes related to the regulations for wearing the insignia. Queen Victoria had expressed interest in allowing the first class badges to be worn from a broad riband sash for important event. Correspondingly the Ninth regulation, relating to “the Decoration of the First Class of the Order” includes a section… “that the badge should be worn on all occasions of State or high Ceremony by Members of this class, suspended to a white moire Riband of two inches and a quarter in width passing from the right shoulder obliquely to the left side: or, on ordinary occasions, attached to a like Riband of an inch and a half in width, tied in a bow, on the left shoulder, as heretofore authorised and sanctioned.” Note, there was no star of the order, just the bejewelled badge on the sash. The wearing of the First Class on the white sash was a rare occurrence. Risk et al note HRH The Duchess of Connaught wearing “her V.A. from a sash at the coronation of King Edward VII [ actually it was King George V, as we will see in another post], at the opening of the first Parliament of the Union of South Africa in 1910 and on other occasions in accordance with the Ninth of the Rules and Regulations of the Order.” They continue, “at the state opening of Parliament in the United Kingdom on 14 February 1901, HRH Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, is recorded as wearing the Order from a sash.” After the introduction of the sash in 1887, the first time we seem to come across its use in by HRH The Princess of Wales, at the marriage of her son HRH The Duke of York, in 1893. On most state occasions she had worn her Russian Order of St Catherine as her sash, with the V.A., C.I., and her father’s family order as shoulder badges. However, she obviously saw her son’s wedding as a suitably important occasion. HRH The Princess of Wales with her daughters HRH The Princess of Wales with her Mother and eldest daughter, 1893 Note the V.A. badge under her left elbow. The Princess of Wales had worn no sash, and the V.A. order on the shoulder bow for the wedding of her daughter HRH Princess Louise of Wales to the newly created Duke of Fife in July 1889. https://www.rct.uk/sites/default/files/collection-online/c/b/806109-1533894001.jpg https://www.rct.uk/sites/default/files/collection-online/e/3/296605-1340896989.jpg HRH The Princess of Wales with her sons, 1889 When her daughter HRH Princess Maud of Wales married two years after her brother in 1895, The Princess of Wales was once again was wearing the Order of St Catherine for her sash. https://www.rct.uk/collection/2940422/group-photograph-taken-at-wedding-of-princess-maud-of-wales From 1901, when Queen Alexandra became the first modern “lady of the Garter” she wore that order for her sash, with the V.A. on a shoulder bow. It was soon to be joined by her own husband’s family order. More on that later.

Re: Order of Victoria & Albert - jewelled insignia worn on sash 1901 & 1902 Posted by DavoST on June 4, 2020, 5:53 pm, in reply to "Royal Order of Victoria and Albert - jewelled insignia " 1901 & 1902 State Openings of UK Parliament. The new HM King Edward VII opened his first parliament in February 1901, less than a month after his mother’s death. No photographs exist of this event, but many artistic representations were made at the time. Photographs do exist of the new Monarch and his Consort in their state attire on thr day, as well as some other members of the Royal Family. The biography of HRH Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll notes that she wore the V.A. on a sash to the state opening. shows a number the royal princesses wearing the distinctive white sash over their black mourning frocks. The King's dayghter HRH Princess Maud [Princess Carl of Denmark] is shown in photographs that morning, wearing the V.A. on the white sash, photographed by her sister, and taken from HRH The Princess Victoria's photograph album. 1902 UK State Opening Shows an illustration of HRH The Princess of Wales (later Queen Mary) wearing the white sash of the order. https://www.rct.uk/collection/921044/king-edward-vii-opening-parliament-january-25th-1902

Re: Order of Victoria & Albert - jewelled insignia worn on sash Princess Victoria Posted by DavoST on June 4, 2020, 6:59 pm, in reply to "Re: Order of Victoria & Albert - jewelled insignia worn on sash 1901 & 1902 " King Edward VII's Daughter, HRH The Princess Victoria, is pictured in formal attire wearing the Order of Victoria and Albert on the white sash and the Crown of India on a shoulder bow (but significantly no Family Order of Edward VII. So was this portrait taken around the time of the State Opening of Parliament 1901 in 1902? HRH Princess Victoria in VA on Sash, from RCT Any thoughts my friends?

Re: Order of Victoria & Albert - jewelled insignia worn on sash, 1903 Durbar Posted by DavoST on June 4, 2020, 7:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Order of Victoria & Albert - jewelled insignia worn on sash 1901 & 1902 " The Duke and Duchess of Connaught were the Royal Family representatives at the 1903 Dehli Durbar. These photos from the Royal Collection Trust show HRH the Duchess of Connaught wearing the Order of Victoria and Albert on the white sash for the main Durbar ceremonies. https://www.rct.uk/collection/2916614/receiving-congratulations-of-the-ruling-chiefs-of-india-the-durbar Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Connaught seems to have been the most frequent wearer of the Order of Victoria and Albert on the white sash. Therefore it seems appropriate that she was painted wearing it in her formal portait by John Singer Sargent John Singer Sargent's H.R.H. the Duchess of Connaught and Strathearn

Re: Order of Victoria & Albert - jewelled insignia worn on sash 1901 & 1902 Posted by Dave on June 5, 2020, 12:25 am, in reply to "Re: Order of Victoria & Albert - jewelled insignia worn on sash 1901 & 1902 " Thanks DavoST, those large diamonds going down the front of her skirt are very impressionable. Can anyone identify the small tiara and necklace QA wears in the lower portion of picture 3? In picture 1, what are the brooches at her mid section? Regards, Dave. Previous Message 1901 & 1902 State Openings of UK Parliament. The new HM King Edward VII opened his first parliament in February 1901, less than a month after his mother’s death. No photographs exist of this event, but many artistic representations were made at the time. Photographs do exist of the new Monarch and his Consort in their state attire on thr day, as well as some other members of the Royal Family. The biography of HRH Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll notes that she wore the V.A. on a sash to the state opening. shows a number the royal princesses wearing the distinctive white sash over their black mourning frocks. The King's dayghter HRH Princess Maud [Princess Carl of Denmark] is shown in photographs that morning, wearing the V.A. on the white sash, photographed by her sister, and taken from HRH The Princess Victoria's photograph album. 1902 UK State Opening Shows an illustration of HRH The Princess of Wales (later Queen Mary) wearing the white sash of the order. https://www.rct.uk/collection/921044/king-edward-vii-opening-parliament-january-25th-1902

Re: Order of Victoria & Albert - jewelled insignia worn on sash, Melbourne 1901 Posted by DavoST on June 4, 2020, 6:37 pm, in reply to "Royal Order of Victoria and Albert - jewelled insignia " HRH The Duchess of Cornwall & York, Melbourne 1901 In May 1901, TRHs The Duke & Duchess of Cornwall and York visited the new Commonwealth of Australia for the opening of inaugural Australian Parliament in the temporary capital, Melbourne. The formal opening took place at the Royal Exhibition Buildings on May 9, 1901. Opening of the First Australian Parliament, May, 1901 'The Opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, May 9, 1901, by H.R.H. The Duke of Cornwall and York' The Duchess wore a black mourning outfit, with the Order of Victora and Albert suspended on a white moire sash over her right shoulder. She wore her CI insignia, Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee medal, & the Order of St John on bows on her left shoulder. TRHs Duke and Duchess of Cornwall & York, with Governor-General & Lady Hopetoun The official Party at Government House, Melbourne, on the day of the official opening of the first Commonwealth Parliament The event was captured by famous Australian artist Tom Robert in what has become known as “The Big Picture”. Artists Footsetps on "The Big Picture" Roberts was given private sittings by the royal couple, as well as supplied with formal portraits for his sketchings and final work. National Gallery of Australia exhibition on Tom Roberts, with sketch of Duchess of Cornwall and York Duchess of Cornwall portraits at Aust National Portrait Gallery https://www.portrait.gov.au/portraits/2015.38/duchess-of-cornwall-and-york-later-queen-mary/

Re: Order of Victoria & Albert - jewelled insignia worn on sash, Melbourne 1901 Posted by Beth on June 4, 2020, 7:22 pm, in reply to "Re: Order of Victoria & Albert - jewelled insignia worn on sash, Melbourne 1901" Another fascinating and illuminating read! What a tour de force! Thank you so much DavoSt! I am very taken with how you have marshaled evidence from so many sources. Thankfully, you have, as it makes everything so clear. I am now looking at some familiar (and some not so familiar) photos with fresh eyes and understanding.

Re: Order of Victoria & Albert - jewelled insignia worn on sash, Melbourne 1901 Posted by DavoST on June 4, 2020, 8:53 pm, in reply to "Re: Order of Victoria & Albert - jewelled insignia worn on sash, Melbourne 1901" thank you Beth! Fresh eye on old favourites can be very illuminating. Previous Message Another fascinating and illuminating read! What a tour de force! Thank you so much DavoSt! I am very taken with how you have marshaled evidence from so many sources. Thankfully, you have, as it makes everything so clear. I am now looking at some familiar (and some not so familiar) photos with fresh eyes and understanding.

Re: Order of Victoria & Albert - jewelled insignia worn on sash, 1910 Cape Town Posted by DavoST on June 4, 2020, 9:21 pm, in reply to "Royal Order of Victoria and Albert - jewelled insignia " Duchess of Connaught – 1910 opening of first Union of South Africa Parliament. In 1910 King Edward VII sent his brother, the Duke of Connaught, accompanied by the Duchess and their youngest daughter, on a tour of South Africa with the highlight being opening the first Union of South Africa Parliament in Cape Town. For the formal opening the Duchess wore her Order of Victoria and Albert on the white moire sash. The most common photo of this event reproduced is the one of the Duke and Duchess leaving the legislature after the opening. Bristol Museum's images of the 1910 South African tour However a number of others exist, indeed the Bristol Museum has a wide range of photographs from across the tour. This is taken from inside Parliament House during the opening, and the Duchess’s white sash is most apparent. Bristol Museum images Princess Patricia and attendants leaving the legislature The Royal Collection Trust has a photo of the touring party taken on the day of the opening (although listed as event unknown, their attire matches that in the images from Bristol University). Royal Collection Trust image of touring party, Cape Town 1910 HRH the Duchess’s jewelled badge is visible on her left hip. She wears the Family Order of Edward VII and the Crown of India on shoulder bows. HRH Princess Patricia of Connaught wears here V.A. second class badge, the Order of St John, and Edward VII’s Coronation medal on bows. (The lady on the extreme left front row is wearing the Duchess’s lady-in-waiting badge, a jewelled cypher of her initials and coronet of rank.)

Re: Order of Victoria & Albert - jewelled insignia on sash, 1911 coronation Posted by DavoST on June 4, 2020, 10:55 pm, in reply to "Royal Order of Victoria and Albert - jewelled insignia " Duchess of Connaught – 1911 Coronation The Duchess wore the Order of Victoria and Albert on the white sash to King George V's coronation in 1911. It is apparent in a few photographs of her in the Royal Box on the RCT site. Duchess of Connaught on left of royal box (2nd Row) A group photograph of the Connaught family in their 1911 coronation robes and attire is on the RCT site. The Duke and Duchess of Connaught with their children and Gustaf Adolf, Crown Prince of Sweden 22 Jun 1911 I've always found it a fascinating image. Princess Patricia is wearing her sister's tiara that was a wedding present from the Khedive. Crown Princess Margaret is wearing her the Swedish (now Norwegian) Emerald tiara and necklace, and her orders are the Crown of India, V.A. 2nd class and her father in law's Swedish jewelled portrait on the serafimerorden bow. The Duchess wears the stunning trefoil tiara (what happened to it after her death?) and Queen Victoria's turkish diamonds necklace. Don't get me started on the men's orders and mantles! It was indeed "La Belle Époque". An individual portrait of HRH The Duchess of Connaught in her coronation robes and finery also exists. See... https://www.gogmsite.net/the-bustle-eras-1870-1890/subalbum-luise-margaret-of-/1911-princess-louise-margar-3.html A beautiful signed copy, in a frame with the Duchess's coronet and cypher, was recently offered for auction. Beside the V.A. she wears the Edward VII family order, the Crown of India and the new Family Order of King George V. Was this the last time that the first class of the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert was worn on a sash? I've not been able to track down any photos of the Duchess at the opening of the Canadian Parliament during her husband's term as Governor General. (Do any of you know of any such images?) After the Great War, the royal ladies were gradually starting to wear the new Order of the British Empire as their broad riband sash, and then women were admitted to the Royal Victorian Order from 1936, so some wore that Riband. I find it ironic that while the Duchess of Connaught is best know for wearing the white sash, her daughter Princess Patricia/Lady Patricia Ramsey only wore one riband, the black sash of the Order of St John. She was made a Dame Grand Cross of the Order in 1934 and wore it to the 1937 and 1953 Coronations.

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