Countess of Snowdon’s Diamond Clips

Happy Birthday to the Countess of Snowdon, who turns 50 today! Despite being the daughter of the 12th Earl of Harrington, who was married to Princess Margaret’s only son, the Countess has worn relatively few heirloom jewels, an exception being these Art Deco Diamond Clips.

Also learn about the Linley Beachwood Tiara!

A pair of versatile Art Deco Diamond Clips, these pieces appeared on Queen Mary in the 1930s, and were worn by her on her hat, and more traditionally on her bodice. There is no confirmed provenance, but the Diamond Clips were probably acquired by Queen Mary herself.

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After Queen Mary’s death in 1953, her Art Deco Diamond Clips were inherited by her granddaughter, Princess Margaret, who wore them quite frequently in the 1950s and 1960s, most notably on a long Tour of the Caribbean in 1955.

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In 1993, Princess Margaret gave her Art Deco Diamond Clips as a wedding gift to the Hon. Serena Stanhope when she married her only son, the then Viscount Linley. The Diamond Clips are the principal jewels of the Countess and have been worn for a variety of events, most notably the Christening of her son, the current Viscount Linley, and the Funeral of Princess Margaret in 2002. After the recent announcement of their divorce, the Art Deco Diamond Clips will probably remain with the Countess, and we will most likely continue to see her at some royal events, hopefully wearing these heirloom jewels, or lending them to her daughter, Lady Margarita.

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