Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World
One hundred fifty-four years ago this week, Princess Victoria Mary of Teck was born at Kensington Palace. Nicknamed “May” after her birth month, Mary would ultimately become Queen Mary of the United Kingdom. We’re going to celebrate one of the greatest British royal jewelry lovers of all time this week, starting off with an intriguing missing tiara from her collection: her Sapphire Sunray Bandeau.
The Queen’s collection owes a significant amount of its sparkle to the generosity of Dame Margaret Greville, a friend of the Queen Mother who bequeathed her a treasure trove of jewels. Through gifts and inheritance, many of these pieces now belong to the Queen. Today’s post focuses one jewels from the bequest that are modern and innovative: the Greville Chandelier Earrings.
A modern suite of ruby and diamond jewels was recently sold by Sotheby’s in Geneva. But the sale caused a minor commotion across the continent in Madrid, where journalists and royal watchers are all wondering one thing: is this the suite of rubies from the collection of the king’s sister?