Hugh Robert’s book THE QUEEN’S DIAMONDS is a masterpiece.  The scholarship in this publication is the characteristic of this fine scholar, once curator of the Queen’s Royal Collection.  This great volume is one of the most beautiful books I have ever had–yes, it is a coffee table book; but more, it is a fantastic reference book.  I am in the mountains at the moment, and I am enjoying every minute I spend quietly tucked away from all the family fun lavishing in this magnificent “ton” of scholarship.  Let me share with you a few amateur snapshots I have taken of some of my favorite jewels.  I have seen photographs of the Queen all my life, so many of these jewels are very familiar to me.  Knowing the history of the individual jewels makes my enjoyment even greater.  Let’s check out a few of them.

Queen Alexandra’s wedding gift from King Frederick VII of Denmark.  The Queen has worn it in public during the early part of her reign sans Dagmar Cross.  Queen Alexandra word the jewel as a stomacher at her coronation in 1902

Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara presented to Queen Alexandra on her 25th wedding anniversary in 1888.  It was modeled after the Empress Maria Feodorovna  of Russia’s jewel (Queen Alexandra’s sister).  The tiara was left to the Queen in 1953 by Queen Mary’s estate.

The Duchess of Cambridge Brooch belonged to Augusta Duchess of Cambridge, the daughter-in-law of King George III.  When the Duchess died, it passed to the Duchess of Teck and from her to Queen Mary who left it the Queen in 1953 by Queen Mary.  It is one of my favorite of the Queen’s brooches.

The Queen’s HALO TIARA has become well known lately as it is the tiara the Duchess of Cambridge wore at her wedding to the Duke of Cambridge.  Cartier created the tiara for Queen Elizabeth when Duchess of York in 1936.

QUEEN ELIZABETH’s STRATHMORE TIARA was given to Elizabeth Bowes Lyon by her father Lord Strathmore on her marriage to the Duke of York, later George VI.  This tiara was inherited by the Queen in2002 upon the death of her mother.  It has not been worn by the Queen but remains an historical part of the Royal Jewel Collection.

QUEEN MARY’S LOVER’S KNOT TIARA was created for Queen Mary based on the head piece owned by her aunt, the Duchess of Cambridge.  Queen Mary’s tiara was created from stones given her at the time of her marriage to King George V.  Queen Mary left it to the Queen in 1953. This magnificent tiara was loaned to Diana Princess of Wales who wore it often.

THE DELHI BURBAR TIARA was made in 1911 for Queen Mary to be worn with her magnificent emerald and diamond parure for the Delhi Durbar in India.  The diamonds came from a tiara made by Boucheron made in 1902 with 675 diamonds given to Queen Mary by the directors of the De Beers Mine, Cape Town.  Originally, there were 10 large emeralds on the top which were part of the Cambridge Emeralds “inherited” by Queen Mary from Lady Kilmorey, the mistress of the Queen’s brother.  A bit of a family feud here, I’d say.  The tiara remained with the Queen Mother until her death in 2002 when it was inherited by the Queen.  The Queen has now loaned the tiara to the Duchess of Cornwall who wears it beauifully.

THE CULLINAN VI AND VIII BROOCH was purchased in a private transaction by King Edward VII as a gift for Queen Alexandra in 1908.  Queen Mary inherited the jewel and passed it on to the Queen in 1953 who wears it often.

THE CULLINAN III AND IV BROOCH was part of the great Cullinan stone weighed 3,106 carats and is the largest rough diamond ever found.  The Cullinan rough diamond was presented to King Edward VII in 1907.  In 1908 the large stone was cut into several diamonds by Asscher in Amsterdam.  These two stones form the most valuable diamond brooch in the world and was recently worn by the Queen for her Diamond Jubilee Celebrations.  I was there to photograph the Queen as she passed in her carriage wearing this incredible jewel.

QUEEN MARY’S WOMEN OF HAMPSHIRE BROOCH was made by Garrard and presented to Queen Mary when Princess Victoria Mary of Teck on her marriage to the future King George V.  The jewel was created by the women of Hampshire by a committee chaired by the Duchess of Wellington.  The jewel was bequeathed to the Queen in 1953.

Thomas Moore   email:  TMooreSr@me.com    Telephone:  801.791.9918

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