Happy Birthday to Elizabeth Curzon, Countess Howe, who turns 70 today! The Educator and Philanthropist who who is the first female Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire in five centuries, today, we are featuring the magnificent Howe Diamond Fringe Tiara!
A magnificent Diamond Fringe Tiara atop a scrolled Diamond Bandeau Base, this Tiara was made by Köchert in Vienna, though it is not known how or when it was acquired by the Curzon Family.
In 1897, the Diamond Fringe Tiara was worn by Viscountess Curzon, the future 4th Countess, dressed as Queen Maria Leszczynska of Poland for the legendary Devonshire House Ball.
The future Countess also wears a stunning diamond fringe tiara, set at a jaunty angle and inset with an black egret feather and and equally beautiful diamond fringe necklace.
Georgiana, the 4th Countess Howe also notably wore the Diamond Fringe Tiara for the Coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra at Westminster Abbey in 1902, before her early death in 1906.
The Diamond Fringe Tiara was next worn for by the 4th Earl’s third wife, Lorna, Countess Howe, for a Court Presentation at Buckingham Palace in 1928.
Mary Curzon, the 5th Countess Howe wore the Howe Diamond Fringe Tiara on several occasions through the 1930s, including State Openings of Parliament as well as Balls and Receptions, including King George V’s Silver Jubilee Ball in 1935.
Countess Howe was a legendary beauty and wore the Diamond Fringe Tiara for several portraits in magazines and advertising Pond’s Cold Cream, which appeared long after their divorce in 1937.
The 5th Earl’s third wife, Sybil, Countess Howe notably wore the Diamond Fringe Tiara for a series portraits taken after the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
The Howe Diamond Fringe Tiara was next worn by Lady Sarah Curzon, younger daughter of the 5th Earl, for her Wedding to Piers Courage in 1966, which was the last time the striking Tiara had been seen in public for decades.
However, it does appear that the Tiara was photographed for some exhibits or books around the turn of the century.
The current Countess Howe most notably wore magnificent Howe Diamond Fringe Tiara for the State Opening of Parliament in the Chamber of the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster last year. The 7th Earl Howe is a Conservative front bench member of the House of Lords and was the Deputy Leader of the House of Lords for the past decade. Lets hope we see it worn again soon!
Devonshire Diamond Palmette Tiara
Devonshire Tiara
Devonshire Diamond Rivière
Ruby Clasp
Wellington Tiara
Diamond Floral Tiara
Diamond Earrings
Diamond Tassel Earrings
Von Preussen Tiara
Strawberry Leaf Coronet
Diamond Tiara
Foliate Tiara
Buccleuch Diamond Belt Tiara
Buccleuch Emerald Tiara
Buccleuch Mayflower Tiara
Buccleuch Turquoise Tiara
Buccleuch Pearl and Diamond Tiara
Bagration Spinel Tiara
Rosebery Tiara
Diamond Necklace
Westminster Myrtle Wreath Tiara
Diamond Fringe Tiara
Duchess of Buccleuch’s Tiaras
Rutland Tiara
Northumberland Tiara
Duchess of Sutherland’s Tiara
Duchess of Bedford’s Tiaras
Marlborough Tiara
Portland Tiara
Duchess of Norfolk’s Sapphire Necklace
Rutland Tiara
Argyll Tiara
Manchester Tiara
Dufferin Tiara
Bath Tiara
Milford Haven Ruby Kokoshnik
Londonderry Tiara
Londonderry Amethyst Parure
Londonderry Pearl Parure
Londonderry Turquoise Parure
Londonderry Diamond Stomacher
Londonderry Emerald Parure
Empress Eugénie’s Diamond Bow Brooch
The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara
Vladimir Tiara
Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara
Belgian Sapphire Tiara
Burmese Ruby Tiara
Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara
Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara
Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara
Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara
What an excellent post. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fingers crossed that Countess Howe will again grace the State Opening of Parliament and / or State Banquets in the future.