Today marks the 140th Anniversary of the Brith of Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, who as born on this day in 1883! The last surviving grandchild of Queen Victoria, who married Queen Mary’s brother and became the Vicereine of both South Africa and Canada, Princess Alice lived through the reigns of six British monarchs, and possessed a spectacular Jewellery collection, which we are featuring today!
Princess Alice’s Diamond Palmette Tiara
Provenance: unknown, appeared in the 1920s.
Notably worn: Wedding Ball of her niece, Princess Sibylla, and Prince Gustav Adolf of Sweden in 1932, Coronation of the Queen in 1953, Queen Juliana’s 30th Anniversary Gala in 1967, and King Gustaf VI Adolf’s 90th Birthday Banquet in 1972
Current location: unknown, auctioned at Christie’s in 1984
Teck Ears of Wheat Tiara
Provenance: Princess Augusta, Duchess of Cambridge, inherited by her daughter, Princess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck, and then by her son, by Prince Alexander of Teck.
Notably worn: Wedding in 1903, Coronation of King George V in 1911, and the Coronation of King George VI in 1937.
Current location: with her grandchildren.
Princess Alice’s Pearl and Diamond Tiara
Provenance: Wedding Gift from King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra
Current location: unknown, possibly dismantled in the 1920s to create the Diamond Palmette Tiara.
Teck Sapphire Stomacher
Provenance: Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge, the Duchess of Teck, inherited by Prince Alexander of Teck.
Notably worn: Coronation of King George V in 1911, Coronation of King George VI in 1937, Coronation of the Queen in 1953
Current location: likely with her grandchildren.
Princess Alice’s Pearl Corsage Brooch
Provenance: likely a wedding gift.
Notably worn: Portraits in the 1920s and at the Wedding of her goddaughter, Princess Anne, in 1973
Current Location: inherited by her daughter, Lady May Abel Smith, and likely in her collection.
