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.
Linley Beachwood Tiara | Lotus Flower Tiara | Art Deco Diamond Clips
A pair of versatile Art Deco Diamond Clips, these jewels appeared on Queen Mary in the 1930s, being 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.
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, most notably on a long Tour of the Caribbean in 1955.
Two years later, Princess Margaret wore Queen Mary’s Art Deco Diamond Clips for Trooping the Colour in 1957, among a series of appearances in the late 1950s, but they were not pictured in the decades following.
In 1993, Princess Margaret gave Queen Mary’s 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 were the principal jewels of the new Viscountess and were worn for a variety of events, most notably the Christening of her son, the current Viscount Linley, in 1999.
Fittingly, Viscountess Linley also wore Queen Mary’s Art Deco Diamond Clips for the Funeral of Princess Margaret at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in 2002.
In 2008, Viscountess Linley wore Queen Mary’s Art Deco Diamond Clips for the Wedding of Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
In recent years, the Countess notably wore Queen Mary’s Art Deco Diamond Clips for Church at Sandringham, and while she has not been publicly seen since the announcement of their divorce in 2020, the Art Deco Diamond Clips probably remain with the Countess, though lets hope we will soon see them being worn by her daughter, Lady Margarita.
Linley Beachwood Tiara | Lotus Flower Tiara | Art Deco Diamond Clips
Linley Beachwood Tiara
Lotus Flower Tiara
Art Deco Diamond Clips
Poltimore Tiara
Turquoise Parure
Cartier Halo Tiara
Lotus Flower Tiara
Snowdon Floral Tiara
Empress Maria Feodorovna’s Sapphire Bandeau
Teck Diamond Hoop Necklace
Diamond Earrings
Ruby Girandole Earrings
Emerald Earrings
Greville Pearl Earrings
Sapphire Earrings
Diamond Star Earrings
Diamond and Pearl Riviere
Star Brooch
Cartier Rose Brooch
Ear-of-Wheat Brooch
Floral Spray Brooch
Diamond Fleur-de-Lys Brooch
Cartier Ruby Flower Brooch
Queen Mary wearing the Art Deco Diamond Clips now worn by the Countess of Snowdon: https://t.co/mtkUDJZvCc pic.twitter.com/rPlQGFe9xg
— The Royal Watcher (@saadsalman719) February 29, 2020
Queen Mary wearing the Art Deco Diamond Clips now worn by the Countess of Snowdon: https://t.co/mtkUDJZvCc pic.twitter.com/rPlQGFe9xg
— The Royal Watcher (@saadsalman719) February 29, 2020A 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.
Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images
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.
Embed from Getty ImagesCharles Armstrong-Jones meanwhile was born on the 1st July. He was David Armstrong-Jones' first child, Princess Margaret's third grandchild and The Queen Mother's seventh great-grandchild. pic.twitter.com/tYKceL1ABk
— RoyalistSupporter ✝️ 🇬🇧 (@ProRoyalFamily) March 27, 2021
Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images
Charles Armstrong-Jones meanwhile was born on the 1st July. He was David Armstrong-Jones' first child, Princess Margaret's third grandchild and The Queen Mother's seventh great-grandchild. pic.twitter.com/tYKceL1ABk
— RoyalistSupporter ✝️ 🇬🇧 (@ProRoyalFamily) March 27, 2021In 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.