Mistress of the Robes

Some royal jewels sparkle; others come to define an era. The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara belongs firmly in the latter category. Read more about it at history in today’s blog post

On this day in 1953, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II took place in Westminster Abbey. The first such ceremony to be televised, it gave her subjects the rare opportunity to see their new monarch resplendent in the robes and jewels of state — including the impressive Coronation Necklace and Earrings. Commissioned from Garrard by Queen Victoria in 1858, the necklace and earrings were created…

Dark purplish red silk with tulip figure; bodice with long V in lower center front, elbow-length sleeves. Made of silk damask, satin, and plain weave (taffeta), trimmed with glass beads and metallic yarn gimp, with silk fringe and machine-made lace.

Designer: House of Worth⠀

Ca. 1858 - 1861⠀

© MFA Boston⠀

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Of all the stunning tiaras in the royal vault, there was one which Queen Elizabeth II favoured above all the others. The Vladimir Tiara is one of the most iconic and fascinating pieces of royal jewellery, with a storied history that spans the Russian Imperial family and the British monarchy. Commissioned in 1874 by Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia for his new wife, Grand Duchess Maria…

⁣This stylish Schiaparelli dinner jacket is made of rayon crinkle crepe and silk crepe. It has intricate gilded metallic thread embroidery done by Lesage Paris, and clever 'cash and carry' pockets, designed to replace handbags - blurring the line between fashion and function. ⠀

Schiaparelli wore this herself on an American lecture tour in 1940⠀

Designer: Elsa Schiaparelli ⠀

Created: Spring 1940

© Philadelphia Museum of Art

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From Westminster Abbey to the Al Husseiniya Palace, the York Tiara has had quite the royal journey. 👑 Check out its full story in my latest blog post 💎 #royaljewels #royalhistory #tiaratuesday

When she entered Westminster Abbey on 23rd July, 1986, Sarah Ferguson had a crown of gardenias perched on her flame-coloured locks – reportedly chosen as they were Prince Andrew’s favourite flower. When she emerged an hour later, the flowers were gone, removed shortly after the register was signed, and a brand-new tiara was unveiled. It marked the moment Sarah’s life as a ‘commoner’ was left…

A Fairy Princess with Youth, Beauty and Happiness as her attendants - is how Vogue described Princess Mary, The Princess Royal, at the time of her 1922 wedding. It was the first royal wedding the magazine had covered - let's take a look at the bridal outfits they were reporting on.

Every day should be tiara day, but, for now, let's just start with Tuesdays!

Not quite a tiara, I know! But probably the most well known ‘sparkler’ in the royal collection, and thoroughly worthy of this inaugural ‘Tiara Tuesday’ post. Instantly recognisable to many as the iconic crown featured on Queen Elizabeth II’s image on coins and stamps, this remarkable piece of jewellery was originally created for the coronation of George IV. It was designed for him to wear over…

A Diamond Jubilee gift to Queen Victoria from her Hessian grandchildren.

A watercolour of the arrival of Queen Victoria at St Paul’s Cathedral, surrounded by crowds – by Robert Taylor Pritchett 20th June, 1897 – Queen Victoria’s diary entry “This eventful day, 1897 has opened, and I pray God to help and protect me as He has hitherto done these sixty long eventful years!… God will surely help me on! How well I remember this day sixty years ago when I was called from…

Not enough people talk about Prince Albert and his excellent taste in jewellery. So lets start with one of the very first pieces he gave to Victoria!

Prince Albert is remembered for many things – his interest in science and farming, his patronage of the arts, and the personal triumph that was the Great Exhibition – but what not enough people talk about, outside of already interested circles, is his fantastic eye for jewels. During the course of their 21-year marriage, Albert gifted Victoria with some fabulous baubles. Sadly, many of them no…