Today marks the anniversary of the death of Princess Lilian of Sweden, who died on this day in 2013! The Welsh Actress who waited 30 years to marry her Swedish Prince and became a beloved member of the Swedish Royal Family, Princess Lilian possessed an amazing collection of jewels and to mark the anniversary, we are taking a look at Crown Princess Margareta’s Egyptian Necklace.
Laurel Wreath Tiara | Queen Sofia’s Nine Prong Tiara | Baden Fringe Tiara | Napoleonic Cut Steel Tiara | Pearl Brooch | Diamond Stomacher Necklace | Egyptian Necklace | Amethyst and Pearl Necklace | Turquoise Necklace
When Princess Margaret of Connaught married the future King Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden in 1907, she received this striking ‘Egyptian’ Scarab Necklace made by Koch in Frankfurt from Crown Prince Gustav and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, the parents of the groom. Composed of five rows of pearls with emerald, ruby, and sapphire cabochon scarabs each topped by a diamond ‘m‘, which marked the couple’s engagement in Egypt.
Crown Princess Margareta most notably wore the Egyptian Necklace for a portrait with her two elder children, Prince Gustaf Adolf and Prince Sigvard, around 1910, and after her premature death in 1920, it was among the jewels inherited by her third son, Prince Bertil.
While the future Princess Lilian wore Crown Princess Margretha’s Laurel Wreath Tiara while she was Prince Bertil’s partner for over 30 years, she only began wearing the Egyptian Necklace after her wedding in 1976, usually pairing it with the Laurel Wreath Tiara and also the Baden Fringe Tiara.
While Princess Lilian wore several other Necklace from the massive Swedish Royal Collection, Crown Princess Margareta’s Egyptian Necklace remained a favourite over the years, being worn for countless State Banquets, Nobel Prize Ceremonies, and Representation Dinners.
After Prince Bertil’s death in 1997, Princess Lilian remained an active member of the Royal Family and continued to wear the Egyptian Necklace for State Banquets, like the Jordanian State Visit to Swede in 2003, and the annual Nobel Prize Ceremony, which Princess Lilian continued to attend until she decided she was too old in 2006, and her health began to fail.
After Princess Lilian’s death in 2013, Crown Princess Margretha’s Egyptian Necklace, valued at 600 000 SEK, was inherited by Queen Silvia, though she has yet to publicly wear it. Let’s hope we see this unique and beautiful heirloom sometime soon!
Laurel Wreath Tiara | Queen Sofia’s Nine Prong Tiara | Baden Fringe Tiara | Napoleonic Cut Steel Tiara | Pearl Brooch | Diamond Stomacher Necklace | Egyptian Necklace | Amethyst and Pearl Necklace | Turquoise Necklace
Laurel Wreath Tiara
Baden Fringe Tiara
Queen Sofia’s Nine Prong Tiara
Napoleonic Cut Steel Tiara
Egyptian Necklace
Turquoise Necklace
Pearl Brooch
Diamond Stomacher Necklace
Bernadotte Emerald Parure
Processional Necklace
Amethyst and Pearl Necklace
Karl Johan Earrings
Swedish Aquamarine Kokoshnik Tiara
Princess Lilian’s Laurel Wreath Tiara
Princess Sofia’s Wedding Tiara
Laurel Wreath Tiara | Pearl Brooch | Diamond Stomacher Necklace | Bernadotte Emerald Parure | Egyptian Necklace | Processional Necklace
A wedding gift to Princess Margaret of Connaught from King Gustav V and Queen Victoria of Sweden when she married the future King Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden in 1907, the necklace features five rows of pearls with emerald, ruby, and sapphire cabochon scarabs each topped by a diamond ‘m‘, which was inspired by the couple’s engagement in Egypt. After her early death in 1920, Crown Princess Margareta’s Egyptian Necklace was inherited by her son, Prince Bertil.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYDQjQEDFmT/
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
While Princess Lilian wore a Crown Princess Margretha’s Laurel Wreath Tiara while she was only Prince Bertil’s partner, she only started wearing the Egyptian Necklace after her wedding in 1976, and it was worn quite frequently well into her old age, often with the Laurel Wreath Tiara and the Baden Fringe Tiara at the annual Nobel Prize Ceremony.
After Princess Lilian’s death, Crown Princess Margretha’s Egyptian Necklace was inherited by Queen Silvia, though she has yet to publicly wear it. Let’s hope we see this unique and beautiful piece sometime soon, preferably at the Nobel Prizes or even at the upcoming 80th Birthday of Queen Margrethe of Denmark, who is a granddaughter of Crown Princess Margretha.
Laurel Wreath Tiara | Pearl Brooch | Diamond Stomacher Necklace | Bernadotte Emerald Parure | Egyptian Necklace | Processional Necklace
This necklace is lovely and its provenance is impeccable. However, I think the style is difficult to wear with modern clothes. But if anyone can get it done is Queen Sylvia! I think that a beautiful embroidered dress with a high neckline would be perfect for it!