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QEQM. First public wearing of the Greville diamond drop earrings? Posted by Beth on December 26, 2021, 4:12 pm I think that the first time Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother may have worn the Greville diamond pear shaped drop earrings in public was for the return banquet given by the President of France in the Embassy in London in March 1950. HM on way to the French Embassy for the banquet. Greville pear shaped drop earrings. Some of the reproductions of photos in the press during that era are less than ideal and I find it difficult to distinguish all aspects of some photos. But the Greville earrings, being much longer than the Coronation earrings, are easier to identify. Below is a 1939 Beaton portrait of QEQM wearing the Coronation earrings. A comparison of the earrings If anyone has spotted QEQM wearing the earrings earlier, I'd love to see a photo, and would be happy to eat humble pie.

Re: QEQM. First public wearing of the Greville diamond drop earrings? Posted by Bryce on December 27, 2021, 12:23 am, in reply to "QEQM. First public wearing of the Greville diamond drop earrings?" As always Beth, great research and photos to back it up. I am sure this has been discussed before and I just don’t remember …… What necklace is QEQM wearing? It looks to be a single three-tiered diamond swag, similar to, but not (I do not think), the George VI Festoon Necklace. Also of note, QEQM is wearing the sash of the French Legion of Honour. HM did not often wear foreign orders – especially later in life.

Re: QEQM. First public wearing of the Greville diamond drop earrings? Posted by Csaba on December 27, 2021, 12:49 am, in reply to "Re: QEQM. First public wearing of the Greville diamond drop earrings?" It IS the George VI festoon necklace. As it was made by diamonds belonging to the crown and in 1950 QEQM was still the queen consort, it makes sense that she was wearing it. I guess it passed to QEII when she accended the throne in 1952. Actually it was shortened for her. Previous Message As always Beth, great research and photos to back it up. I am sure this has been discussed before and I just don’t remember …… What necklace is QEQM wearing? It looks to be a single three-tiered diamond swag, similar to, but not (I do not think), the George VI Festoon Necklace. Also of note, QEQM is wearing the sash of the French Legion of Honour. HM did not often wear foreign orders – especially later in life.

Re: QEQM. First public wearing of the Greville diamond drop earrings? Posted by Bryce on December 28, 2021, 6:41 am, in reply to "Re: QEQM. First public wearing of the Greville diamond drop earrings?" Thanks Csaba Yes, looking at it, I agree that it probably IS the Festoon Necklace but.... According to Hugh Roberts The Queen's Diamonds "The necklace was commissioned by King George VI for Princess Elizabeth in 1950, using a total of 105 loose collets that had passed to the King as heirlooms of the Crown" Roberts make no mention of it ever being worn by anyone other than Princess Elizabeth (later QEII). I guess that I am surprised to see QEQM wearing the necklace if it was supposedly a piece made specifically for her daughter (at least according to Roberts sources).

Re: QEQM. First public wearing of the Greville diamond drop earrings? Posted by Csaba on December 28, 2021, 7:54 pm, in reply to "Re: QEQM. First public wearing of the Greville diamond drop earrings?" Yes, it is weird that Robert states that... But also with the queen Anne and Caroline necklace it was a bit unusual that George VI gifted them to princess Elizabeth although they were crown property... So who knows how it actually works with these jewels Previous Message Thanks Csaba Yes, looking at it, I agree that it probably IS the Festoon Necklace but.... According to Hugh Roberts The Queen's Diamonds "The necklace was commissioned by King George VI for Princess Elizabeth in 1950, using a total of 105 loose collets that had passed to the King as heirlooms of the Crown" Roberts make no mention of it ever being worn by anyone other than Princess Elizabeth (later QEII). I guess that I am surprised to see QEQM wearing the necklace if it was supposedly a piece made specifically for her daughter (at least according to Roberts sources).

Re: QEQM. First public wearing of the Greville diamond drop earrings? Posted by Dave on December 29, 2021, 9:15 am, in reply to "Re: QEQM. First public wearing of the Greville diamond drop earrings?" I've postulated the same thing over time Csaba. I have also read in a book that the Queen's father and grandfather willed Windsor castle from monarch to monarch and the Queen's uncle was paid millions by the Queen's dad George VI in order for him to abdicate his claim and entitlements/ rights of a proclaimed king. Is it possible that a reigning monarch has prerogative to own Royal and personal assets and or change/ revert ownership to the Crown as a convenience? I have heard that if a gift is given it can be loaned for life to a royal individual and if they are given the gift by the reigning monarch they have to be taxed accordingly. Their was mentions of Princess Margaret retaining gifts received while carrying out state functions and then said gifts going to auction after her passing. QV willed certain jewels to the Crown to be worn from reigning or Consort Queen to Queen, but that doesn't say outright that those jewels cannot revert to personal ownership. Remember lots of the jewels of QV earmarked for the Crown came via personal connection via her Prince and not via state hood. But the subject remains a complex one. Regards, Dave. Previous Message Yes, it is weird that Robert states that... But also with the queen Anne and Caroline necklace it was a bit unusual that George VI gifted them to princess Elizabeth although they were crown property... So who knows how it actually works with these jewels Previous Message Thanks Csaba Yes, looking at it, I agree that it probably IS the Festoon Necklace but.... According to Hugh Roberts The Queen's Diamonds "The necklace was commissioned by King George VI for Princess Elizabeth in 1950, using a total of 105 loose collets that had passed to the King as heirlooms of the Crown" Roberts make no mention of it ever being worn by anyone other than Princess Elizabeth (later QEII). I guess that I am surprised to see QEQM wearing the necklace if it was supposedly a piece made specifically for her daughter (at least according to Roberts sources).

Re: QEQM. First public wearing of the Greville diamond drop earrings? Posted by PaulP on December 27, 2021, 2:19 am, in reply to "QEQM. First public wearing of the Greville diamond drop earrings?" Splendid work Beth. I have never seen photos of these being worn by QEQM at an earlier date, and would love for the National Trust to publish excerpts from Polesden Lacey's photograph collection showing Dame Maggie wearing these and other items from her legendary jewel collection. Of all the many diamond earrings in the Queen's collection, this Greville pair might be the ones with the biggest individual stones. The wonderfully matched pear-shaped pendants weigh 20.66 and 20.26 carats. The pear shaped pendants in the coronation earrings weigh much less than those in the Greville pair. In one of her lectures Caroline de Guitaut, Deputy Surveyor of the Queen's Works said of the coronation earring pendants: "although they look equal they are actually wildly different in size one weights 12 carats and one weights 7 carats, but they've been really fantastically cut and set" https://www.rct.uk/collection/themes/exhibitions/diamonds-a-jubilee-celebration/buckingham-palace/the-coronation-earrings

Re: QEQM. First public wearing of the Greville diamond drop earrings? Posted by Dave on December 27, 2021, 5:45 am, in reply to "QEQM. First public wearing of the Greville diamond drop earrings?" Hard to fathom that this pair of earrings would be the only all diamond ones in such a legendary collection of jewels. I hope the other parts of this collection are soon exposed so we can delve into them. Regards, Dave. Previous Message I think that the first time Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother may have worn the Greville diamond pear shaped drop earrings in public was for the return banquet given by the President of France in the Embassy in London in March 1950. HM on way to the French Embassy for the banquet. Greville pear shaped drop earrings. Some of the reproductions of photos in the press during that era are less than ideal and I find it difficult to distinguish all aspects of some photos. But the Greville earrings, being much longer than the Coronation earrings, are easier to identify. Below is a 1939 Beaton portrait of QEQM wearing the Coronation earrings. A comparison of the earrings If anyone has spotted QEQM wearing the earrings earlier, I'd love to see a photo, and would be happy to eat humble pie.

Re: QEQM. First public wearing of the Greville diamond drop earrings? Posted by PaulP on December 27, 2021, 9:34 am, in reply to "Re: QEQM. First public wearing of the Greville diamond drop earrings?" The 1942 Greville bequest to QEQM also included a pair of Cartier diamond chandelier earrings. I have never heard any reports of QEQM wearing them, but she gave them to QEII as part of her 1947 wedding gift. See photo in RCT link https://www.rct.uk/collection/themes/exhibitions/diamonds-a-jubilee-celebration/buckingham-palace/pair-of-earrings There could be more. I would expect Dame Maggie to have had a pair of diamond studs. Perhaps we will find out one day. Previous Message Hard to fathom that this pair of earrings would be the only all diamond ones in such a legendary collection of jewels. I hope the other parts of this collection are soon exposed so we can delve into them. Regards, Dave.

Re: QEQM. First public wearing of the Greville diamond drop earrings? Posted by Dave on December 27, 2021, 12:33 pm, in reply to "Re: QEQM. First public wearing of the Greville diamond drop earrings?" Oh yes, totally forgot about this pair. Anyone know of the diamond weight of this pair? Regards, Dave. Previous Message The 1942 Greville bequest to QEQM also included a pair of Cartier diamond chandelier earrings. I have never heard any reports of QEQM wearing them, but she gave them to QEII as part of her 1947 wedding gift. See photo in RCT link https://www.rct.uk/collection/themes/exhibitions/diamonds-a-jubilee-celebration/buckingham-palace/pair-of-earrings There could be more. I would expect Dame Maggie to have had a pair of diamond studs. Perhaps we will find out one day. Previous Message Hard to fathom that this pair of earrings would be the only all diamond ones in such a legendary collection of jewels. I hope the other parts of this collection are soon exposed so we can delve into them. Regards, Dave.

Re: QEQM. First public wearing of the Greville diamond drop earrings? Posted by J-F on December 28, 2021, 3:11 am, in reply to "QEQM. First public wearing of the Greville diamond drop earrings?" Hello, I didn't find photo of the earrings beeing worn before 1950 Beth. I think you are wright !! I have found one more photo dated back to October 30th 1950 for the film performance of the Mudlark, showing Queen Elizabeth wearing these earrings again. Two links to the event : https://royalwatcherblog.com/2020/10/30/royal-film-performance-of-mudlark-1950/ http://phyllislovesclassicmovies.blogspot.com/2021/10/royal-film-performance-series-mudlark.html Have a nice day ! J-F Previous Message I think that the first time Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother may have worn the Greville diamond pear shaped drop earrings in public was for the return banquet given by the President of France in the Embassy in London in March 1950. HM on way to the French Embassy for the banquet. Greville pear shaped drop earrings. Some of the reproductions of photos in the press during that era are less than ideal and I find it difficult to distinguish all aspects of some photos. But the Greville earrings, being much longer than the Coronation earrings, are easier to identify. Below is a 1939 Beaton portrait of QEQM wearing the Coronation earrings. A comparison of the earrings If anyone has spotted QEQM wearing the earrings earlier, I'd love to see a photo, and would be happy to eat humble pie.

Questions about diamond necklaces worn by Psses Margaret & Elizabeth Posted by PaulP on December 28, 2021, 6:29 am, in reply to "Re: QEQM. First public wearing of the Greville diamond drop earrings?" Thanks J-F, I have enjoyed the photos and film footage in the links, but they have triggered questions about the necklaces worn by princesses Elizabeth & Margaret at this event. Unfortunately i can't post screen shots, but have placed the YouTube video below Pss Elizabeth wears her 21st birthday Diplomatic Corp floral earrings and South African "Best" diamond necklace in its original long form. Starting at time = 2.58 we get a view of its interesting clasp. We were told that the necklace had a detachable snap piece with the 6 carat blue-white De Beers diamond gifted to the princess during that tour. I am guessing that it's the pendant style clasp we see at the back of her necklace Which necklace is Pss Margaret wearing (time = 3:44)? It resembles her Lady Mount Stephen riviere, but this was in 1950 and she wouldn't inherit that until Q. Mary's death in 1953. Neither could it be the diamond necklace we are told she received from Geo VI for her 21st birthday which was the following year. PaulP -------------------------- Two links to the event : https://royalwatcherblog.com/2020/10/30/royal-film-performance-of-mudlark-1950/ http://phyllislovesclassicmovies.blogspot.com/2021/10/royal-film-performance-series-mudlark.html Have a nice day ! J-F

Re: Questions about diamond necklaces worn by Psses Margaret & Elizabeth Posted by Beth on December 28, 2021, 8:26 am, in reply to "Questions about diamond necklaces worn by Psses Margaret & Elizabeth" I believe that you are correct PaulP and that QEII was wearing the detachable snap with the 6 carat diamond. Before seeing this video I had never fully understood what Hugh Roberts meant. I posted these stills on the RJWMB in December 2016. As I think everyone knows, my eye is not the best when it comes to identifying the various diamond rivieres. I think that the necklace said to have been given to Princess Margaret by her father sits higher on her neck. It is possible that Queen Mary lent the necklace to Princess Margaret and that it is the Lady Mount Stephen necklace. Or it might be one which the Queen Mother wore as Duchess of York. I hope that Franck will be able to help us on this query. He is our resident expert on these necklaces. Below are some stills, which may help identification. Apologies that they are a bit blurry.

Re: Questions about diamond necklaces worn by Psses Margaret & Elizabeth Posted by PaulP on December 29, 2021, 12:05 am, in reply to "Re: Questions about diamond necklaces worn by Psses Margaret & Elizabeth" Thanks Beth.

Re: diamond necklaces worn by Princess Margaret Posted by Franck on December 29, 2021, 5:15 am, in reply to "Re: Questions about diamond necklaces worn by Psses Margaret & Elizabeth" Dear all, What an incredible discovery and mystery !!! 1. It is not the Lady Mount Stephen riviere The necklace worn by Princess Margaret in 1950 is far more graduated. 2. It is not the one given for her 21th birthday by her father George VI. As Beth says ; "her father's necklace sits higher on her neck" 3. It is not the one lent by her sister and also worn by her Majesty QEII. The diamonds are bigger - it is a shorter and far more graduated collet necklace (the one worn by Princess Margaret in 1950). 4. It is not the one called "The Duchess of York's collet The diamonds are not graduated and are bigger- The one worn by QE is also longer. https://mb.boardhost.com/historyroyaljewels/msg/1638539249.html Previous Message My own analysis : 1. It is the one worn by the Duchess of Cambridge at the Diplomatic corps reception in 2017. This one is shorter and graduated collet necklace. Maybe it was a necklace owned by QEQM and inherited in 2012 by QEII (which explains why it was not seen before). 2. Or maybe the one worn received by QM as a wedding gift in 1893. (maybe the one worn by the Duchess of Cambridge) Not sure however - please compare photos : telecharger des gif Franck

Re: diamond necklaces worn by Princess Margaret Posted by PaulP on December 29, 2021, 12:07 pm, in reply to "Re: diamond necklaces worn by Princess Margaret " Many thanks Frank for addressing this. The diamond riviere necklace Margaret wears in the YouTube film footage does indeed closely resemble the one worn by the duchess of Cambridge. It looks great on her and we hope to see her wearing it again soon.

Congratulations franck !! Re: diamond necklaces worn by Princess Margaret Posted by Beth on December 31, 2021, 6:55 pm, in reply to "Re: diamond necklaces worn by Princess Margaret " Congratulations Franck!! I think you have solved the mystery.

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