Windsor Jewels Pt 7

[Alexander1917]

H.M. attended Maundy Service at Derby Cathedral
wearing Queen Victorias Household Brooch without the string of diamonds and the pearl drop - it was a favourite of QEtQM

[Eric_Lowe]

QETQM always looked good in pearls. In the chapter of Suzy Menkens book, she was called "The pearly queen".

[Michael HR]

Pearls are so timeless and understated in my view. I am not surprised the Empress and many other females in royal houses like them so much. In the Windsor dynasty there are a definite favorite from the many photos of various members down the years. They suited HM The Queen Mother and of course the Queen. Pity I am a male as I would otherwise have chosen them had I been female, my Grandmother and Aunt loved them as well. 

[mcdnab]

Dame Margaret Greville was arguably one of Britain's leading hostesses in the 1930's (the illegitimate daughter of a brewer) she was popular with most of the Royal Family (she had a dreadful weakness for Royalty).
The York's spent part of their honeymoon at her country home at Polesdon Lacey - she was known to be a generous hostess. She was well liked by members of the Royal Family apart from the Prince of Wales (the future Edward VIII) who found the company at her parties a bit too dull. Her great rival Emerald Cunard was more successful with the Prince of Wales and the future Duchess of Windsor.
She died during the Second World War - her country estate was left to the National Trust - however much of her jewellery was left to the then Queen, Elizabeth. She also left £10,000 to Princess Margaret.
The King may according to a couple of the Queen Mother's recent biographers have been a bit embarrassed by the bequest though some of the Greville pieces have and were worn regularly by the Queen Mother - the famous five strand Diamond necklace (which the QM appears to have had reduced to three strands at some stage) and the Empire style tiara which again the Queen Mother added height to. A pair of Diamond chandelier style earings were given by the King and Queen to Princess Elizabeth when she married. Presumably like the rest of her collection the Greville pieces passed to the Queen.

From other threads re: the emeralds (posts were originally by me):

"Here's an interesting article on the subject of the Duke & Duchess of Windsor jewel theft:

http://www.etoile.co.uk/Columns/RoyalScribe/040329.html
May I suggest to you that the lady who will be very much in the eye of society, if not the public, will be the Hon. Mrs. Ronald Greville, a very rich lady, who has always been very much with the new King & Queen (indeed their honeymoon was spent at Polesden Lacey, her country house) and who is supposed to have named the Queen as her eventual heiress.

E. A. L. BENNETT Paris, France  "

[Alexander1917]

Dame Margaret Greville was arguably one of Britain's leading hostesses in the 1930's (the illegitimate daughter of a brewer) she was popular with most of the Royal Family (she had a dreadful weakness for Royalty).
The York's spent part of their honeymoon at her country home at Polesdon Lacey - she was known to be a generous hostess. She was well liked by members of the Royal Family apart from the Prince of Wales (the future Edward VIII) who found the company at her parties a bit too dull. Her great rival Emerald Cunard was more successful with the Prince of Wales and the future Duchess of Windsor.
She died during the Second World War - her country estate was left to the National Trust - however much of her jewellery was left to the then Queen, Elizabeth. She also left £10,000 to Princess Margaret.
The King may according to a couple of the Queen Mother's recent biographers have been a bit embarrassed by the bequest though some of the Greville pieces have and were worn regularly by the Queen Mother - the famous five strand Diamond necklace (which the QM appears to have had reduced to three strands at some stage) and the Empire style tiara which again the Queen Mother added height to. A pair of Diamond chandelier style earings were given by the King and Queen to Princess Elizabeth when she married. Presumably like the rest of her collection the Greville pieces passed to the Queen.

From other threads re: the emeralds (posts were originally by me):

"Here's an interesting article on the subject of the Duke & Duchess of Windsor jewel theft:

http://www.etoile.co.uk/Columns/RoyalScribe/040329.html
May I suggest to you that the lady who will be very much in the eye of society, if not the public, will be the Hon. Mrs. Ronald Greville, a very rich lady, who has always been very much with the new King & Queen (indeed their honeymoon was spent at Polesden Lacey, her country house) and who is supposed to have named the Queen as her eventual heiress.

E. A. L. BENNETT Paris, France  "

The Greville necklace could be worn in a 3 OR 5 row design. Camilla recently wore all 5 rows....

[Eddie_uk]

That's right. It was wonderful to see it in it's entirety!

[Eric_Lowe]

I think Camilla's diamond engagement ring was also "rumored" to be part of the Greville collection that was given to the Queen Mum. I wonder if Camilla recieve further jewels from this spectacular collection.

[RoyalWatcher]

That's interesting, Eric. I had heard that Camilla's engagement ring was a family heirloom that QEQM received upon the birth of Princess Elizabeth and that Charles had inherited it from his grandmother. Perhaps I am wrong through.

[Eric_Lowe]

That is some confusion and speculation on that ring. Most certainly it came from the Queen Mum. Royal aides speculate that it was part of Ronnie Greville's collection since of its more flashy aspect. Therefore I put "rumour" on my entry. However it is interesting that Camilla continue to recieve jewels from the Greville Collection (the five strand diamond necklace). Therefore I think maybe she got more from that store (Camilla also wore Queen Mum's and Queen Mary's tiara)...

[RoyalWatcher]

That is some confusion and speculation on that ring. Most certainly it came from the Queen Mum. Royal aides speculate that it was part of Ronnie Greville's collection since of its more flashy aspect. Therefore I put "rumour" on my entry. However it is interesting that Camilla continue to recieve jewels from the Greville Collection (the five strand diamond necklace). Therefore I think maybe she got more from that store (Camilla also wore Queen Mum's and Queen Mary's tiara)...

I understand. It would be very nice to know definitively where the diamond came from. But, I would have to agree with you that it may come from the Greville collection just due to its shear size. I still remember the moment I saw Camilla and Charles announce their engagement. She was just BEAMING and so incredibly happy as was Charles! I must admit that ever since that day, Camilla entered into my heart permanently. She was so brave and so happy that she couldn't care less who saw her happiness. I'm so very happy that they married. 15 years ago I wouldn't have dreamed thinking such a thing. I've said this many times, but she makes Charles so very happy. I love to see him like this...especially when they break into giggles at some function and the press catch a few photos...I just love it! 

As for the tiara you mentioned, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall wears that tiara splendidly in my humble opinion.

[ashdean]

The ring was never part of the bequest.It was bought by the Duke of York in 1926 (from Cartier)as a gift for his wife on their eldest daughters birth.Mrs greville did not die till 1942 and at that time (1926) still seems to have been patronising Boucheron exclusively....however by the early 1930's had moved her custom to Cartier.

[Eric_Lowe]

Glad to know for sure. The private jewels of the Queen Mother was not as extensive as Queen Mary's or her daughter the present Queen. Only her "official" jewels were accounted for as they were part of the collection of Queen Victoria and Queen Alexandra. Another factor that adds to the confusion is that the whole jewel bequest from Ronnie Greville was not made public, but substantial enough that Queen Ena was miffted that she did not recieve a share of it (she got only cash, as did Princess Margaret).

[Martyn]

When Camilla came on an official visit with Charles to my place of work last year, I was desperate to get a good look at the ring.  On this occasion she was simply dressed in a powder blue wool coat (might have been cashmere actually), that was a bit soot stained from their previous engagement in York.

I only got a quick glimpse of the ring, despite being introduced and giving them both a quick tour of my department, but it wasn't as big a stone as I had expected, and not at all 'flashy'.

The ring is quite a lovely piece - a substantial stone that isn't gaudy....but it certainly isn't the Krupp.......

[Eric_Lowe]

Well... the Queen Mum does have good taste not like Hollywood Stars.

[ashdean]

Well... the Queen Mum does have good taste not like Hollywood Stars.

Not all Hollywood stars have flashy poor taste in jewelry.Ava Gardner had exqusite taste for one.