When in 1970 the jewels of the Princess Royal were sold for £78,735
three graduated pearl necklaces were included. One was with 62 pearls,
the second was a string of 92 pearls and one was a rope of 128 pearls.
The Marys of the Empire decided to raise money to purchase a gift
for the Princess. They raised over £8,000 pounds which was raised
in just two months. The maximum donation was 10 shillings due to the
financially difficulties Britain was experiencing. The majority of
the funds was used to fund a training home for Girl Guides while the
Princes consented to "…a small rope of pearls."
The necklace took less than half of the sum raised. The necklace was
presented to the Princess on the 23 February 1922 at Buckingham Palace.
In the very long rope of pearls which was the gift of the Marys of
the Empire, there were approximately 280 graduated pearls. It was
supplied by Carrington & Co.
On her left shoulder, as pin of the flower of fabric, we see an part of her oval sapphire cluster brooch, with large diamond setting.
And on her right hand, another wedding gift, a sapphire and diamond ring.
Sources: The Times 24 February 1922; 25 Feb 1922;
A pearl and diamond tassel pendant, the tassel composed of fourteen
stands of pearls held by the diamond and rose diamond cupola top, sold
in 1970. It is said that this pearl tassel was a present from her aunt
Princess Victoria, the unmarried sister of her father. Princess Victoria
is pictured with such a jewel.
Clanricarde Pearl Bracelet with large Diamond Cluster| Royal Jewel History
In some of the photographs of the Princess we can see an important
6-row pearl bracelet with an enormous oval diamond cluster. Nothing
is known about this jewel. In the picture above she wears it on her
right wrist. It was part of the Clanricarde Jewels - one of seven which was rebuild from old jewels with new settings.
Princess Mary's topaz and gold seal was a wedding gift from Mr. and
Mrs. Sidney Bridgeman and sold at auction in 2007. It was described
as:
"An early 19th century gold and citrine fob seal. The tapering
faceted citirine with later seal engraved initials almost certainly
for H.R.H. Princess Mary, Princess Royal, Countess of Harewood (1897-1965)
and her husband, Henry, 6th Earl of Harewood (1882-1947) with laurel
wreath surround beneath double crown surmount, to a heavily chased
suspension and cap with engraved serpent split ring."
Sources: The Times, 10 January 1922; 13 Jan 1922;Christies
2007;
Special thanks to Laura for the resarch and text!
