Today marks the Anniversary of the birth of the late Princess Margaret, who was born on this day in 1930! As one of the leading members of the Royal Family for over five decades, the late Princess had a huge collection of jewellery, which included this Five-Strand Pearl Necklace!
Poltimore Tiara | Turquoise Parure | Cartier Halo Tiara | Lotus Flower Tiara | Diamond Lozenge Bandeau | Snowdon Floral Tiara | Teck Diamond Hoop Necklace | Diamond Earrings | Ruby Girandole Earrings | Emerald Earrings | Pearl Earrings | Sapphire Earrings | Diamond Star Earrings | Pearl and Diamond Rivière | Diamond Clips | Star Brooch | Cartier Rose Brooch | Ruby Flower Brooch | Ear-of-Wheat Brooch | Floral Spray Brooch | Diamond Fleur-de-Lys Brooch | Princess Margaret’s Tiaras
When Princess Margaret celebrated her 18th Birthday in 1948, she received this magnificent necklace of five graduated rows of pearls with an Art Deco Diamond clasp, circa 1925, from her grandmother, Queen Mary.
Comprising five graduated rows of pearls to the vari-cut bombé plaque clasp, mounted in platinum, circa 1925, 39.0 cm. long, in fitted green leather Asprey & Co. Ltd., New Bond Street, London, case, the lid embossed with H.R.H. The Princess Margaret’s ‘M’ monogram beneath a coronet
Given by H.M. Queen Mary to her granddaughter, H.R.H. The Princess Margaret for the 18th Birthday
Just a few weeks later, Princess Margaret wore the Five-Strand Pearl Necklace with the Diamond Lozenge Bandeau at the Inauguration Of Queen Juliana Of The Netherlands followed by several notable appearances, including for her 19th Birthday Portraits taken by the legendary Cecil Beaton.
While Princess Margaret received a Diamond Rivière for her 21st Birthday and primarily wore that for evening events, the Five-Strand Pearl Necklace was worn for her iconic 21st Birthday portraits and various daytime and evening events through the 1950s.
While appearances declined during the 1960s and 1970s, the Five-Strand Pearl Necklace again reappeared during the 1980s and became a favourite of Princess Margaret for all sorts of daytime events, including Trooping the Colour and Royal Ascot.
Princess Margaret continued to frequently wear the Five-Strand Pearl Necklace into the latter years of her life, mostly for daytime events, including the weddings of her children, Viscount Linley, and Lady Sarah Chatto, and also for a few evening events.
After Princess Margaret’s death in 2002, while some of her jewels remained with her children; the 2nd Earl of Snowdon and Lady Sarah Chatto, many of them were sold at the famous 2006 Christie’s Auction, with the five-strand Pearl Necklace among the highlights of the sale, selling for GBP 276,800 many times over the initial estimate of GBP 15,000 – 20,000. The current location of the Necklace is not known.
