Posts from the ‘Jewels’ Category

Queen Elizabeth’s Jewellery including a gift from the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Delhi Durbar necklace are on display at Buckingham Palace

[FURTHER UPDATE: The Summer Opening of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace and the Royal Mews will not reopen to the public in 2022. The special displays at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse marking the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II will not reopen.]

[UPDATE: The State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are closed following the death yesterday of Queen Elizabeth II. Rest in Peace your Majesty.]

Jewellery from Queen Elizabeth II’s personal collection can be seen in a dazzling exhibition at Buckingham Palace. Platinum Jubilee: The Queen’s Accession features magnificent pieces which have a special significance for Her Majesty.

These include a stunning platinum necklace set with 300 diamonds – a wedding present from the Nizam of Hyderabad. The Nizam had left instructions with Cartier in London that the then Princess Elizabeth should select a gift there herself.

Another Cartier piece, an art deco style sapphire and diamond bracelet, was an 18^th birthday present from the Queen’s father King George VI. On her 21^st birthday she was given a Garrard & Co brilliant-cut diamond necklace by the Government and Union of South Africa. Originally the necklace encompassed 21 diamonds however it was shortened in 1952 and the six removed stones were made into a matching bracelet which is also on display. 

The pretty Dorset Bow Brooch, part of a wedding gift from the Queen’s grandmother, dates back to 1893 when there was a fashion for diamond set brooches replicating a ribbon tied in a bow.

On the Queen’s accession in 1953 a portrait sitting was arranged for use on bank notes, coins and postage stamps but the new monarch could not wear a crown as her Coronation had not yet taken place. A suitably regal diamond diadem originally made for King George 1V in 1821 was chosen instead. Now one of Her Majesty’s most recognisable jewellery pieces, the striking headband is set with 1,333 brilliant-cut diamonds. 

One of the most eye catching displays is the Delhi Durbar necklace and earrings by Garrard & Co. The necklace incorporates nine emeralds as well as an 8.8 carat diamond pendant cut from the Cullinan diamond – the largest ever found. 

All the jewellery is exhibited alongside portraits by official Royal photographer, the late Dorothy Wilding, which show the Queen wearing them. 

In one portrait The Queen wears the Delhi Durbar necklace with the Vladimir Tiara – the emerald and diamond headpiece that is thought to have been the one coveted by Meghan Markle for her wedding to Prince Harry.

Platinum Jubilee: The Queen’s Accession is on now until 2 October 2022. For more information visit www.rct.uk