Queen Mother’s Pearl Sautoir

Today marks the Anniversary of the Death of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, who died on this day in 2002! The Scottish Aristocrat who unexpectedly became the popular wartime Queen and then the beloved Queen Mother for half a century, we have featured many of her jewels over the years and to mark the day today, we are featuring the Queen Mother’s Pearl Sautoir!

When the Duke of York married Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1923, the bride received several spectacular jewels from members of both families, including the necklace with became the Lotus Flower Tiara and the Teck Flower Brooch from the groom, a Turquoise Parure from the King, a suite of sapphire and diamond jewels from Queen Mary, and the Strathmore Rose Tiara from her parents.

From the Citizens and the City of London, the bride received a:

A Pearl and Diamond Sautoir, with five rows of pearls mounted on platinum wire, and diamond end-piece

The new Duchess of York was first pictured wearing the Pearl Sautoir later that year for the Christening of Crown Prince Peter of Yugoslavia in Belgrade, ahead of the Wedding of Prince Paul of Yugoslavia and Princess Olga of Greece.

The following year, the Duchess wore the City of London Sautoir with her Lotus Flower Tiara, Teck Flower Brooch and her Cartier Bracelets for a series of Official Portraits taken at Vandyk Studios in July 1924.

The City of London Sautoir was also worn by the Duchess of York for a series of portraits taken by Vandyk Studios around 1924, which was its last public appearance, having not been pictured for a century.

A few years ago, the now Queen Camilla wore another one of the Queen Mother’s wedding gift Sautoirs, and given how many heirloom jewels she has been debuting in recent months, we hope that the Queen Mother’s ‘City of London’ Pearl Sautoir will be worn again soon!