From Queen Victoria to the Queen Consort Camilla in 2023
The three brooches of Queen Marys Turquoise Parure, had originally been a confirmation present in December 1850 to Queen Mary’s mother, the Duchess of Teck.
Mr Horten’s jewel presents to his wife:
The wedding gift of Mr Horten to his young wife was the extraordinary blue diamond, „the Wittelsbacher Blue Diamond“
Duchess Jutta of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (Augusta Charlotte Jutta Alexandra Georgina Adophine 24 January 1880 – 17 February 1946) was a member of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and the consort of Crown Prince Danilo of Montenegro. When a married woman, she was known as Militza.
At the Coronation ceremony in London in 1911, Princess Militza of Montenegro, accompanied by her husband, the Hereditary Prince Danilo, wore a stunning white and gold brocade dress, adorned with diamond and pearl accessories. The couple walked in the procession of royal representatives and guests, following the Crown Prince of Italy and preceding the Heir Presumptive of Siam.
Prince Nicholas, the current ruler of Montenegro and self-proclaimed King, was born in a modest home in the ancestral village of the Montenegrin reigning family in 1841. He assumed the throne in 1860 after the murder of his uncle Danilo I, and during his fifty-year reign, he has been both a ruler and a father to his people. His leadership qualities are apparent in his interactions with visitors, who leave feeling confident in his abilities as a leader.
Prince Nicholas married Milena, and their children have formed important alliances through their marriages. Crown Prince Danilo Alexander is married to Princess Jutta (Militza) of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, a relative of Queen Mary, while Mirko married Natalie Constantinovitch, who could potentially claim the throne of Servia for their son. The marriage of Princess Helena to the King of Italy has been the most significant diplomatic support for Prince Nicholas, especially during the crisis between the Austrian Empire and Southern Slavs.
The remaining unmarried daughters of Prince Nicholas, Xenia and Vera, have yet to make alliances, while Princess Milica (Militza) Petrović-Njegoš of Montenegro married the Grand Duke Peter of Russia, and Princess Stana (Anastasia) married the Grand Duke Nicholas. These marriages have had a significant impact on Montenegro’s relationships with Russia and its neighbors.
Montenegro is a small, constitutional state ruled by Prince Nicholas, who exercises almost absolute control over the country despite its modest size and population.
Turquoise is a captivating gemstone that has been used for centuries in jewelry making, and its beauty has not diminished over time.
Queen Marie of Romania was no stranger to its allure, as she treasured her old set of turquoise jewelry and even had it modified into a grander and more elegant piece.
The new turquoise crown, which was gifted to her by her husband, Nando, was designed to be a larger and more prominent accessory that could better complement her regal style. Its intricate design features a diadem of seven crosses with a stunning centerpiece made from a cluster of large turquoise gems from her old necklace. The base of the coronet is adorned with Greek key ornaments and round turquoise gems, adding a touch of sophistication to the piece.
Kreuter & Co, Hanau, was the skilledjewel workshop who crafted this masterpiece, which also doubles as seven single brooches. The earrings were also redesigned to match the grandeur of the new turquoise crown, with a quadratically framed diamond setting that complements the stunning turquoise gems.
Queen Marie of Romania’s love for the turquoise gems was evident, and the modification of her old set of jewelry into this grander piece showcases her appreciation for the beauty and versatility of the gemstone. The new turquoise crown is truly a remarkable piece of jewelry that embodies the grandeur of royalty and the timeless elegance of turquoise.
The morning of the Royal wedding in Athens was splendidly sunny, with the locals referring to it as „King’s weather.“ The King of Greece, like Queen Victoria, was renowned for his luck with auspicious skies for such occasions. The scent of myrtle filled the city’s streets, where it had been generously used for decorations, transforming Athens into a town of myrtle. The whole town was adorned with flags, evergreens, and triumphal arches at all major street intersections. Early in the day, people from the surrounding countryside flocked to the town, and the national costumes of the peasants added to the picturesque scene. At five o’clock, a salute of five guns was fired, and the bugle calls rang out from all points about the town through the clear morning air, bringing the streets to life with animation. This animation quickly developed into enthusiasm of the wildest description that Athens has ever seen. Every inch of vantage ground along the route followed by the bridal procession was taken up, with all the windows occupied by ladies, gentlemen, and children, and thousands of people viewing the parade from the roofs of houses. The streets were lined with soldiers, and for weeks there had been the keenest desire to obtain tickets for the Cathedral to witness the wedding ceremony.
The first lady to appear in the diplomatic circle was Mrs. Ylakos, dressed in a magnificent Greek costume of white, red, and gold. She was followed by Madame Traubenborg in a court costume, with a pink train and a white satin front, surmounted by a headdress with a pink band ornamented with diamond stars, from which depended a veil. They were closely followed by Olanesko in a sky blue dress with a gold train, Princess Antzo in a costume of red velvet with pink cut en train, a pink front trimmed with gold, and a grand display of diamonds, Madame Rackmetiew wearing a Russian costume of orange and gold, Ojeda with a white Spanish mantilla about her head, Baroness Kosjek in a light blue dress trimmed with gold embroidery, and Lady Monson in a pretty pink silk costume trimmed with gold. The ladies of the Court followed, led by Theocheri, Madame Bapountzakis, and Madame Anargyro, all wearing the national Greek Court costume.
Their entrance was immediately followed by 96 ladies belonging to the suites of the Empress of Germany, the Queen of Italy, the Princess of Wales, and the Empress Frederick, with those of the latter dressed in sombre colours.
The Royal party left the palace at eleven o’clock, and the bride, though nervous, looked very happy. She gracefully acknowledged the applause of the people, who were all pleased with her girlish sweetness. Upon their arrival at the Cathedral, the Metropolitan greeted them at the door.
The company entered the church in the following order: The French Ambassador accompanied the Empress of Germany; the Emperor of Germany escorted the Empress Frederick; the King of Denmark accompanied the Queen of Italy; the Prince of Wales accompanied the Queen of Denmark; Prince Henry of Prussia and the Princess of Wales; the Czarewitch and the Princess of Saxe-Meiningen. Then followed the Duke of Sparta and the Princess Sophie. The ceremony began immediately, with the Empress Frederick leading her daughter to the table and the King of Greece leading his son. The ceremony was of the most impressive character and lasted an hour and a quarter. The wedding service was conducted by the Metropolitan of Athens, Gerraanos, assisted by the Archbishops and Bishops of Greece, all in magnificent vestments. A platform, about a foot high, had been erected, occupying a good half of the floor beneath the dome in front of the altar. ….more
The Russian Sapphire Cluster Brooch is now in the possession of the British royal family, it is similar to this brooch on the left. But different in size and cut!!!
Camilla’s brooch was the Russian Sapphire Cluster Brooch, previously worn by the late Queen Elizabeth II. The amazing brooch features a large central sapphire surrounded by 18 diamonds, separated from the central gem by an intricate gold filigree.
This was one of the numerous jewels that Queen Elizabeth II inherited from her grandmother, Queen Mary, in 1953. She bought it in 1934, and it was described a magnificent brooch with a sapphire stone as big as a wren’s egg, surmounted by large diamonds.
But for years it was „lent“ and in the jewel casket of the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother still in the year 2014, the first time which it was used by Queen Elizabeth II.
Diamond Brooches
