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Family order of Queen Alexandra - a fleur de lys circlet
Posted by Knightship on July 21, 2021, 9:21 pm
According to rct.uk: Watercolour miniature on ivory depicting Edward VII in Field Marshal's uniform with Garter sash and ribbons in front of Queen Alexandra who wears a white dress, pearl choker and crown. It is set in an oval frame of pearls and diamond crosses patées to form a badge of the Family Order of Queen Alexandra. The badge belonged to Princess Victoria: https://www.rct.uk/collection/441474/family-order-of-queen-alexandra
It looks like Alexandra is wearing a simple diamond frame with fleur de lys. The badge is dated 1902, so is she wearing Queen Victoria’s fleur de lys from the Regal circlet on a smaller frame in the minature? It can’t be the «new» Regal circlet Alexandra comissioned ca. 1910.
As you noted this cannot be part of Queen Alexandra's copy of the Regal Circlet. If the Fleurs de lys come from any existing jewel, it would have to be Queen Victoria's Regal circlet. We know that all the upper elements could be dismantled.
Queen Victoria wearing Regal circlet
Queen Mary photographed wearing Queen Victoria's Regal circlet.
Nevertheless, I feel that the design and proportion of the Fleurs de lys in the painting in Queen Alexandra's family order do not match those in Queen Victoria's regal circlet.
Queen Alexandra's family order
But, as the crosses and the fleurs de lys could be dismantled, it is possible that Queen Alexandra improvised and wore the latter on a simple collet diamond base. Or perhaps what we see is the result of the artist using artistic licence!
Re: Family order of Queen Alexandra - a fleur de lys circlet
Artistic freedom is of course a possibility, but is it likely on a personal item like a family order? I have never seen an image of Queen Alexandra wearing only the fleur de lys elements before.
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What an intriguing puzzle Knightship!
As you noted this cannot be part of Queen Alexandra's copy of the Regal Circlet. If the Fleurs de lys come from any existing jewel, it would have to be Queen Victoria's Regal circlet. We know that all the upper elements could be dismantled.
Queen Victoria wearing Regal circlet
Queen Mary photographed wearing Queen Victoria's Regal circlet.
Nevertheless, I feel that the design and proportion of the Fleurs de lys in the painting in Queen Alexandra's family order do not match those in Queen Victoria's regal circlet.
Queen Alexandra's family order
But, as the crosses and the fleurs de lys could be dismantled, it is possible that Queen Alexandra improvised and wore the latter on a simple collet diamond base. Or perhaps what we see is the result of the artist using artistic licence!
Re: Family order of Queen Alexandra - a fleur de lys circlet
After Edward VII became king there are a number of references in the media to Queen Alexandra wearing a crown with fleurs de lys. Most of these are for very formal events. I had always assumed that the reference was to Queen Victoria's Regal circlet.
on July 21, 2021, 9:21 pm
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