Tomorrow marks the 35th Anniversary of the Death of Adrian Ward-Jackson, who died of AIDS in 1991. The Art Dealer and Governor of the Royal Ballet, Adrian Ward-Jackson, left this spectacular antique Diamond Daisy Brooch to his close friend, the Princess of Wales!
In August 1991, the Princess of Wales returned to London from Balmoral Castle and spent six hours on the deathbed of her friend, the Art Dealer and Governor of the Royal Ballet, Adrian Ward-Jackson, who passed away from AIDS. She inherited this antique Diamond Daisy Brooch of unknown province and said in a letter to a friend:
“Adrian had a very kind heart and was a valuable friend to me, but to see him reach the psychological and spiritual acceptance before he died will be a memory I will treasure, as few manage to make that plateau. I learnt more about minder strength than anything moral during his last few days and, as we know, bereavement is an experience of change and adjustment so life must go on.”
Not long after Adrian Ward-Jackson’s death, the Princess of Wales returned to Balmoral Castle and debuted the Diamond Daisy Brooch at the annual Ghillies Ball.
The Diamond Daisy Brooch was next worn by the Princess of Wales at the Memorial Service for Adrian Ward-Jackson at St Paul’s Church in Knightsbridge.
The Princess of Wales also wore the Diamond Daisy Brooch for a G7 Summit Reception at Buckingham Palace later that year.
The Diamond Daisy Brooch was next worn by the Princess of Wales for a charity event in London in September 1992, which seems to be its last public appearance but lets hope it reappears on the current Princess of Wales soon!
