Princess Lilian’s Pearl Choker

Yesterday marked the Anniversary of the Death of Princess Lilian of Sweden, who passed away in 2013! The Welsh Actress who waited 30 years to marry her Swedish Prince and became a beloved member of the Swedish Royal Family, Princess Lilian possessed a spectacular collection of jewels, which included this Edwardian Pearl and Diamond Choker!

The exact origin of this Edwardian Pearl and Diamond Choker is not known but this five-row Pearl Choker with a Diamond Trellis Clasp, with can be worn with a detachable pearl drop as well as an aquamarine pendant, seems to have been an heirloom of Crown Princess Margareta of Sweden, which was inherited by her third son, Prince Bertil.

In the early 1970s, Lilian Craig began wearing the Edwardian Pearl and Diamond Choker with the Laurel Wreath Tiara and the Pearl Brooch on several occasions, including the Wedding Gala of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden in 1976, a few months before her Wedding to Prince Bertil.

In the 1980s, Princess Lilian wore the Pearl and Diamond Choker with a massive Aquamarine Pendant, which was a favourite for gala events, among them King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia’s Silver Anniversary Gala in 2001 and Prince Carl Bernadotte’s 90th Birthday in 2001.

The Edwardian Pearl and Diamond Choker was also worn with a Diamond Button Pendant on several occasions, usually with the Laurel Wreath Tiara.

Over the next few years, Princess Lilian frequently wore the Edwardian Pearl and Diamond Choker with the pear-shaped Pearl Pendant, including for King Carl XVI Gustaf’s 60th. Birthday.

After Princess Lilian’s death in 2013, the Edwardian Pearl and Diamond Choker was valued at 120 000 SEK in her will, but has yet to be publicly worn so let’s hope we see this unique heirloom sometime soon!