Connaught Diamond Bow Brooch

Today marks the Anniversary of the Death of Princess Patricia of Connaught / Lady Patricia Ramsay, who died on this day in 1974! The granddaughter of Queen Victoria who gave up her title to marry a Scottish Earl’s son and was the aunt of Swedish and Danish Royals, Lady Patricia attending a plethora of grand events wearing a variety of glittering jewels. We have already featured her Diamond Tiara, Honeysuckle Tiara, Fringe Tiara, and the Connaught Pearl Brooch, so today we are featuring the Connaught Diamond Bow Brooch.

Featuring large diamonds set in a knife-edge setting, the Connaught Diamond Bow Brooch was first pictured on the Duchess of Connaught, a daughter-in-law of Queen Victoria born Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia, who notably wore the piece in a series of portraits in the 1880s. After her death in 1917, the brooch was inherited by her youngest daughter, Princess Patricia.

Princess Patricia (who became Lady Patricia after her wedding) notably wore the Connaught Bow Brooch with her Diamond Tiara at the wedding ball of her niece, Princess Ingrid of Sweden, and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark in 1935

The Connaught Bow Brooch also made a notable appearance at the Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at Westminster Abbey in 1937, paired with a Fringe Tiara, the Connaught Pearl Brooch and her Maple Leaf Brooch.

The Diamond Bow Brooch was also worn for a Gala at Covent Garden in honour of the State Visit of the French President in 1939, on the eve of the Second World War.

After a possible appearance at the Wedding of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, Lady Patricia also wore the Connaught Bow Brooch with her Diamond Tiara was for the Swedish State Visit in 1954

Lady Patricia also wore the Diamond Bow Brooch for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey in 1953, paired with her Diamond Tiara.

After Lady Patricia’s death, the Connaught Bow Brooch was included in the 74 lots that were sold at the Christie’s 15 May 1974 Important Jewels Sale, alongside the Honeysuckle Tiara, Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Chain, and the Duchess of Connaught’s Diamond Rivieres, and was sold for £ 8500. The Brooch has not been publicly seen again.

Diamond Tiara

Honeysuckle Tiara

Fringe Tiara