Today marks the Anniversary of the Birth of Princess Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood, who was born on this day in 1897! The only daughter of King George V and Queen Mary who married into the prominent Aristocratic Family, Princess Mary had an enormous jewellery collection, most of which has been sold in the years since her passing, which including this striking Diamond Chain!
Harewood Scroll Tiara | Queen Victoria’s Sapphire Tiara | Harewood Fringe Tiara | Emerald Necklace | Russian Sapphire Devant de Corsage | Diamond Chain
When Princess Mary married Viscount Lascelles, the future 6th Earl of Harewood, in 1922, the King’s only daughter received several spectacular Wedding Gifts, which included this spectacular Diamond Chain created by Messrs. R.G. Hennell and Sons, that was a present of the Corporation of the City of London, funded by a subscription, which was presented on February 22, 1922.
“a highly important diamond necklace, comprising a centre detachable diamond pendant drop composed of a fine pear-shaped diamond in a diamond collet and diamond-pierced frame, the necklace composed of sections of nine brilliant-cut diamond collets, each section intersected by a diamond navette-shaped cluster”
The Diamond Chain was among the wedding gifts put on public display at St. James’ Palace, along with Harewood Scroll Tiara, Queen Victoria’s Sapphire Tiara, a Fringe Tiara, and a Russian Sapphire Devant de Corsage.
Princess Mary notably wore the City of London Diamond Chain for the Wedding of her brother, the Duke of York, and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1923, with one of the elements of the Russian Sapphire Devant de Corsage as a Brooch.
In the early 1920s, Princess Mary also wore the City of London Diamond Chain with a Diamond Honeysuckle Tiara she had received from Queen Mary for a series of portraits.
Princess Mary was also portrayed wearing the City of London Diamond Chain in a portrait made in the 1940s, also wearing the Chain for a Gala at some point in the same period.
In 1953, the Diamond Chain went on display alongside Queen Victoria’s Sapphire Tiara for a jewellery exhibition held at the Dorchester Hotel in London for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Princess Mary wore the Diamond Chain with the Honeysuckle Tiara for a Grand Regimental Ball at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto in 1962, during a visit to Canada to mark the centenary of The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s).
Following Princess Mary’s death in 1965, several of her Jewels, like the Harewood Scroll Tiara and Fringe Tiara, were sold at Auction. The City of London Diamond Chain was retained for a couple of years beef going on Auction at Christie’s in 1970. The City of London Diamond Chain sold for £11,000. Its current location is unknown.
Harewood Scroll Tiara | Queen Victoria’s Sapphire Tiara | Harewood Fringe Tiara | Emerald Necklace | Russian Sapphire Devant de Corsage | Diamond Chain
