Today marks the 45th Anniversary of the Death of Gloria Guinness, who passed away on this day in 1980! The Maharaja of Nawanagar commissioned this magnificent Cartier Ruby Necklace in 1937, which was worn by socialite Gloria Guinness to Truman Capote’s legendary Black and White Ball and now belongs to the Qatar Royal Family’s Al-Thani Collection
Happy Birthday to Hope Cooke, Queen of Sikkim, who turns 85 today! The American Writer and Historian was the last Queen of Himalayan Kingdom of Sikkim before it was annexed by India in 1975.
Royalty from around India gathered to celebrate the wartime Wedding of Maharaja Man Singh II of Jaipur and Princess Gayatri Devi of Cooch Behar at the Cooch Behar Palace on this day in 1940, 85 years ago, after a long secret courtship.
We had planned to feature the historic 23-carat Golconda Blue Diamond ahead of its Auction next month, but there is a change in plans! The Golconda Blue once belonged to the Maharajas of Indore and Baroda and could have sold for over $50 million at Christie’s Auction next month, but has now been withdrawn!
Today marks the 15th Anniversary of the Death of Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur, who passed away on this day in 2009! The Cooch Behar Princess who married the dashing Maharaja of Jaipur, becoming the glamorous Maharani who won the world’s largest landslide election victory and was later jailed by the Indian Government ‘playing badminton with the prostitutes & murderesses’, Maharani Gayatri Devi possessed a spectacular jewellery collection, which included this Bulgari Gold Suite!
Today marks the 35th Anniversary of the Death of Princess Nilufer Hanımsultan, who passed away on this day in 1989! The Ottoman Princess married the younger son of the Nizam of Hyderabad and became a patron of women’s healthcare before marrying an American Diplomat!
Today marks the Anniversary of the Birth of Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur, who was born on this day in 1919! The Cooch Behar Princess who married the dashing Maharaja of Jaipur, becoming the glamorous Maharani who won the world’s largest landslide election victory and was later jailed by the Indian Government ‘playing badminton with the prostitutes & murderesses’, Maharani Gayatri Devi possessed a spectacular jewellery collection, which included this Cartier Ruby Suite!
Today marks the 35th Anniversary of the Death of Maharani Sita Devi of Baroda, who passed away on this day in 1989! The legendary Baroda Pearl Necklace belonged to the Maharajas of Baroda for over a century before being broken up for the infamous Maharani Sita Devi, the ‘Indian Wallis Simpson’!
Today marks the 110th Anniversary of the Birth of Princess Dürrüşehvar Sultan, Princess of Berar, who was born on this day in 1914! The stunning daughter of the last Ottoman Caliph who married the Heir of the Nizam of Hyderabad, the world’s richest individual, Princess Dürrüşehvar was an accomplished figure and an advocate for girls’ education and healthcare!
Happy Birthday to Sheikha Moza bint Nasser of Qatar, who turns 65 today! The influential reformer and glamorous fashion icon who is the wife of the former and mother of the current Emir of Qatar, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser has worn several spectacular jewels, including the legendary Star of the South Diamond!
Today marks the 75th Anniversary of the Death of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, who passed away on this day in 1948! The fascinating Indian Princess, daughter of the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire, who was a goddaughter of Queen Victoria and a prominent Suffragette, Princess Sophia Duleep Singh possessed this splendid heirloom from her grandmother, the legendary Maharani Jind Kaur!
Royal and Noble Debutantes from around the world attended Le Bal des Débutantes at the Shangri La Hotel in Paris on November 26th. The annual charity event launched prominent young women into society, and raises funds for Enfants d’Asie, an organization which provides education for girls in Southeast Asia, and Seleni, a non-profit organisation that finances research in healthcare for adolescent mothers.
Foreign Royal Guests and Relatives and Heads of State and Representatives of 121 Countries joined the British Royal Family for the Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on September 19th, followed by a Procession to Marble Arch and a Committal Service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. The late Queen, who passed away at Balmoral Castle earlier this month, had been Lying-in-State first at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh and then at Westminster Hall in London for the past week.
Ahead of the Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey tomorrow, the British Royal Family hosted a Reception for visiting Heads of State and Representatives at Buckingham Palace, which is stated to be one of the largest gatherings of Heads of State in History. The late Queen, who passed away at Balmoral Castle earlier this month, has been Lying-in-State first at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh and then at Westminster Hall in London for the past week, with the Funeral at Westminster Abbey tomorrow to be followed by a Procession to Marble Arch and a Committal Service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. Continue reading
Today marks the Anniversary of the Birth of Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur, who was born on this day in 1919! The Cooch Behar Princess who married the dashing Maharaja of Jaipur, becoming the glamorous Maharani who won the world’s largest landslide election victory and was later jailed by the Indian Government ‘playing badminton with the prostitutes & murderesses’, Maharani Gayatri Devi possessed a spectacular jewellery collection, which included this Cartier Emerald Suite! Continue reading
While many were occupied by the outrageous fashion and over-the-top looks at yesterday’s MET Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, we were more focused on the jewellery, and were delighted to spot a piece with extraordinary royal provenance which we have been researching for ages: The Maharaja of Patiala’s Cartier Diamond Choker! Continue reading
