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Cambridge Sapphire Parure Sold
Posted by The Royal Watcher on November 21, 2020, 7:09 pm
It appears the Duke and Duchess of Kent have sold most of the remaining pieces (choker, earrings and Brooch) of the historic Cambridge Sapphire Parure, which were acquired by Moira Fine Jewellery in London.
It is of course a personal matter for the Duke and Duchess to sell (and I don't even mind the breaking up) but I do think they have a responsibility for the benefit of history to properly document the parure and its successor before they broke it up and sold it.
I would like to think they have done and photographs and details about the parure will be provided to an author for inclusion in a book someday or details will be provided to the Royal Collection.
I wonder why the company are holding onto the pieces but not marketing/selling them?
Are we to assume the tiara is still owned by the Duke? That doesn't appear to have been mentioned.
Thanks The Royal Watcher for drawing our attention to this development.
And congratulations to RDavid for finding the information!!
I normally read your Instagram account each day RDavid --it is one of the more interesting!
Previous Message
It appears the Duke and Duchess of Kent have sold most of the remaining pieces (choker, earrings and Brooch) of the historic Cambridge Sapphire Parure , which were acquired by Moira Fine Jewellery in London.
The British Royal Jewels Account on Instagram said: "The company has confirmed they still have the pieces but they are not for resale at the moment."
Credit goes to the Spanish Royal Jewels Account on Instagram , who informed me about the picture of Moira from Moira Fine Jewellery wearing the jewels.
Yes congratulations to RDavid! Talk about Eagle Eyes 👀
I contacted Moria hoping to have a look at the set for research purposes ( I’d love to see the cut of the stones and the settings) but was told to speak to Kieran McCarthy of Wartski who has all they said ‘has all the photographs and historical information’.
Shame as I don’t think photos would do such an important historical piece justice 😔
Let us hope that this information is shared by Wartski at some point. Maybe out of sensitivity to the Duke and Duchess it is embargoed for their life time?
The Duke and Duchess have sold off most of the Duke's (not shabby) jewellery inheritance, it was quite unfortunate they did so at a time in the 70s and 80s when vintage jewellery was not reaching the enormous prices it has been achieving in the past decade but I believe they have had repeated financial problems over the years so needs must and all.
Their grandchildren are mostly of marriageable age now and so I anticipate a few weddings in the next decade or so, will probably be the best way of assessing what jewels remain still in this branch, unless there are more sales/auctions.
Yes congratulations to RDavid! Talk about Eagle Eyes 👀
I contacted Moria hoping to have a look at the set for research purposes ( I’d love to see the cut of the stones and the settings) but was told to speak to Kieran McCarthy of Wartski who has all they said ‘has all the photographs and historical information’.
Shame as I don’t think photos would do such an important historical piece justice 😔
Thank you for your kind words Beth! I’m happy that you like what I post . Say me “Hi” there one of these days
Previous Message
Thanks The Royal Watcher for drawing our attention to this development.
And congratulations to RDavid for finding the information!!
I normally read your Instagram account each day RDavid --it is one of the more interesting!
Previous Message
It appears the Duke and Duchess of Kent have sold most of the remaining pieces (choker, earrings and Brooch) of the historic Cambridge Sapphire Parure , which were acquired by Moira Fine Jewellery in London.
The British Royal Jewels Account on Instagram said: "The company has confirmed they still have the pieces but they are not for resale at the moment."
Credit goes to the Spanish Royal Jewels Account on Instagram , who informed me about the picture of Moira from Moira Fine Jewellery wearing the jewels.
Very sad that this set has been sold. Very sad that it was dismantled in the first place.
A great pity thag the UK royals did not have lifetime loans several generations ago...the collection would be mind boggling....
Previous Message
It appears the Duke and Duchess of Kent have sold most of the remaining pieces (choker, earrings and Brooch) of the historic Cambridge Sapphire Parure , which were acquired by Moira Fine Jewellery in London.
The British Royal Jewels Account on Instagram said: "The company has confirmed they still have the pieces but they are not for resale at the moment."
Credit goes to the Spanish Royal Jewels Account on Instagram , who informed me about the picture of Moira from Moira Fine Jewellery wearing the jewels.
If the Duke of Kent sold the first and the second parure, Prince Michael is able to keep his Mother's Jewels in its whole. is He not in money need?
Previous Message
Very sad that this set has been sold. Very sad that it was dismantled in the first place.
A great pity thag the UK royals did not have lifetime loans several generations ago...the collection would be mind boggling....
Previous Message
It appears the Duke and Duchess of Kent have sold most of the remaining pieces (choker, earrings and Brooch) of the historic Cambridge Sapphire Parure , which were acquired by Moira Fine Jewellery in London.
The British Royal Jewels Account on Instagram said: "The company has confirmed they still have the pieces but they are not for resale at the moment."
Credit goes to the Spanish Royal Jewels Account on Instagram , who informed me about the picture of Moira from Moira Fine Jewellery wearing the jewels.
Re: Prince Michael
Posted by 992234177 on November 27, 2020, 12:10 am, in reply to "Prince Michael"
I think the Kent issue was debt whereas the Michael Kent issue is living costs, they seem to have enough but no excess. Also as royals I expect they get free upgrades. They seem to be doing alright.
Re: Prince Michael
Posted by Sam (The Beau Monde) on November 27, 2020, 3:18 am, in reply to "Prince Michael"
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.
Re: Prince Michael
Posted by MarcA on November 27, 2020, 6:18 am, in reply to "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?
Previous Message
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.
Re: Prince Michael
Posted by Dave on November 27, 2020, 10:23 am, in reply to "Re: Prince Michael"
I know from experience one can use up money very fastly as soon as one touches it and things tend to happen when one is flushed to make you spend more.
What needs to happen in the UK with such horrible inheritance taxes is that persons should hand over their wealth to their benefactors before they die to stave of those discriminating inheritance taxes.
I gather it would really make no sense for his son to carry on a dukedom if they cant really keep it up. But things are subjective with this branch of family as they may very well still be mediumly well off but cant really live opulent due to codicils/ restrictions on their money.
It is believed that King George V left significant trusts for each of his children, what is termed significant to one person can be seen as miniscule to another, so one has to look at all of these facts.
Regards,
Dave.
Previous Message
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.
Tiars worn by Lady Helen on her Wedding. I suppose the only tiara left . What about the Duchess small Wedding bandeau tiara ??
Previous Message
Very sad that this set has been sold. Very sad that it was dismantled in the first place.
A great pity thag the UK royals did not have lifetime loans several generations ago...the collection would be mind boggling....
Previous Message
It appears the Duke and Duchess of Kent have sold most of the remaining pieces (choker, earrings and Brooch) of the historic Cambridge Sapphire Parure , which were acquired by Moira Fine Jewellery in London.
The British Royal Jewels Account on Instagram said: "The company has confirmed they still have the pieces but they are not for resale at the moment."
Credit goes to the Spanish Royal Jewels Account on Instagram , who informed me about the picture of Moira from Moira Fine Jewellery wearing the jewels.
Most liklely the abdaneau was changed and upgraded in the fringe tiara with pearl toppers as it hasn't been worn since the fringe tiara has appeared.
Previous Message
Tiars worn by Lady Helen on her Wedding. I suppose the only tiara left . What about the Duchess small Wedding bandeau tiara ??
Previous Message
Very sad that this set has been sold. Very sad that it was dismantled in the first place.
A great pity thag the UK royals did not have lifetime loans several generations ago...the collection would be mind boggling....
Previous Message
It appears the Duke and Duchess of Kent have sold most of the remaining pieces (choker, earrings and Brooch) of the historic Cambridge Sapphire Parure , which were acquired by Moira Fine Jewellery in London.
The British Royal Jewels Account on Instagram said: "The company has confirmed they still have the pieces but they are not for resale at the moment."
Credit goes to the Spanish Royal Jewels Account on Instagram , who informed me about the picture of Moira from Moira Fine Jewellery wearing the jewels.
Thanks Stefan , I just noticed that its base was Katherine's Wedding tiara.
Previous Message
Most liklely the abdaneau was changed and upgraded in the fringe tiara with pearl toppers as it hasn't been worn since the fringe tiara has appeared.
Previous Message
Tiars worn by Lady Helen on her Wedding. I suppose the only tiara left . What about the Duchess small Wedding bandeau tiara ??
Previous Message
Very sad that this set has been sold. Very sad that it was dismantled in the first place.
A great pity thag the UK royals did not have lifetime loans several generations ago...the collection would be mind boggling....
Previous Message
It appears the Duke and Duchess of Kent have sold most of the remaining pieces (choker, earrings and Brooch) of the historic Cambridge Sapphire Parure , which were acquired by Moira Fine Jewellery in London.
The British Royal Jewels Account on Instagram said: "The company has confirmed they still have the pieces but they are not for resale at the moment."
Credit goes to the Spanish Royal Jewels Account on Instagram , who informed me about the picture of Moira from Moira Fine Jewellery wearing the jewels.
on November 21, 2020, 7:09 pm
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