When Margherita van Raalte married Lord Howard de Walden, he gave her a long single strand of pearls which she wore on her wedding day. At this time, it was customary for brides marrying members of the aristocracy to receive natural pearls as gifts.
A long brooch of pearls and diamonds was the gift of Sir Ernest Cassel, while Lord Ludlow gave his step-daughter-in-law a diamond necklace with quintuple drops of cabochon sapphires. Prince Leopold of Battenberg gave a diamond and ruby pendant and chain.
Lady Howard de Walden frequently wore pearls and was pictured wearing a long strand in her portrait that graced the frontispiece of The Tatler in 1930 at the time of her eldest daughter's debut. The picture of Lady Walden de Howard in court dress with the magnificent ostrich plums shows her wearing a pearl necklace that reaches her knees! She is also wearing other pearl strands which probably includes her famous pearl necklace which was stolen.
In March 1923, Lady Howard de Walden was travelling with her sister, Mrs Humphrey Butler, on the famous "Blue Train" to Cannes. Her pearl necklace of 98 pearls valued at about £5000 was taken from a bag in her compartment. Fortunately, the necklace was recovered in Brussels by police in August 1923.
Thank you to Laura for her help!
Sources: Tatler, 11 Jun 1930; Northampton Mercury, 23 Feb 1912; The Courier and Advertiser,10 Mar 1932; The Western Gazette, 5 Aug 1932
