Marchioness of Cambridge’s Diamond Sunburst

Today marks the 95th Anniversary of the Death of Margaret, Marchioness of Cambridge, who passed away on this day in 1929! The Grosvenor Heiress who married Queen Mary’s brother and became the last Duchess of Teck and later the 1st Marchioness of Cambridge, she possessed some magnificent jewels, which included this spectacular Diamond Sunburst!

Teck Crescent Tiara | Teck Diamond Hoop Necklace | Diamond Sunburst

When Lady Margaret Grosvenor, daughter of the 1st Duke of Westminster and Lady Elizabeth Mary Leveson-Gower, married Prince Adolphus of Teck, eldest son of the Duke of Teck and Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge, she received several spectacular Jewels, including a Diamond Star Tiara from Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge, the Duchess of Teck and the future Queen Mary, but this spectacular Diamond Sunburst was not among the listed Wedding Gifts, likely being inherited from Princess Mary Adelaide along with the Teck Crescent Tiara and the Teck Diamond Hoop Necklace in 1897.

The Diamond Sunburst can be seen in one of the Duchess of Teck’s earliest pictures with the Teck Crescent Tiara and the Teck Diamond Hoop Necklace, taken at some point in the late 1890s or early 1900s.

The Duchess of Teck also wore the Diamond Sunburst with the Teck Crescent Tiara and the Teck Diamond Hoop Necklace for the Coronation of King George V and Queen Elizabeth in 1911, when a series of Official Portraits were taken. During the First World War, Prince Adolphus disclaimed his title and was made the first Marquess of Cambridge.

While Queen Mary acquired the Teck Crescent Tiara and the Teck Diamond Hoop Necklace from her brother and sister-in-law at some point before the 1920s, the Diamond Sunburst remained in their possession and was worn by the Marchioness on her hat in the 1920s.

After the 1st Marchioness’ passing in 1929, the Diamond Sunburst was among the jewels inherited by her daughter-in-law, the 2nd Marchioness of Cambridge, who wore the Diamond Sunburst with the Star Tiara given by Princess Mary Adelaide and Queen Mary for the Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at Westminster Abbey in 1937.

In 1953, the Marchioness of Cambridge also wore the Diamond Sunburst with the Star Tiara for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey.

The Marchioness of Cambridge also wore the Diamond Sunburst for a portrait taken at some point in the 1950s, after which it does not seem to have been pictured. Lady Cambridge passed away in 1988, after which the Diamond Sunburst would have been inherited by her daughter, Lady Mary Whitley, who herself passed away in 1999. The current location of her jewels is unknown!

Teck Crescent Tiara | Teck Diamond Hoop Necklace | Diamond Sunburst