Queen Elizabeth II | The Duchess of Cambridge Pearl and Diamond Brooch | Katherine Duchess of Cambridge | Royal Jewels Great Britain and Ireland Historic Brooch

 

THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE’S BROOCH

The large pearl bouton is encircled by 14 brilliants in cut-down settings and a narrow pavé-set cusped band, suspending a brilliant and a large pavé-set baroque pearl;
the pearl drop is detachable, the top with hinged loop for use as a pendant.

THE BROOCH belonged to George III’s daughter-in-law, Augusta, Duchess of Cambridge (1797–1889).

The Duchess (born Princess Augusta of Hesse-Cassel), the last survivor of her generation of the royal family,owned some spectacular jewellery, including the Cambridge emeralds,
and, like all her family, used Garrard as her principal jeweller.

 

On the Duchess’s death in 1889, aged 91, the brooch was inherited by her younger daughter, Princess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck (mother of Queen Mary), and from her it passed to Queen Mary, then Duchess of York, in 1897.

Of the many occasions on which it was worn of Queen Mary, perhaps the most significant were the christenings of her granddaughter, Princess Elizabeth
of York, in 1926, and of her great-grandson, Prince Charles, in 1948.

The brooch was bequeathed in 1953 to The Queen,who wears it with and without the pendant pearl.

Queen Elizabeth II lent it to Katherine Duchess of Cambridge for a new painting their first official portrait to celebrate 10 years as Duke and Duchess. We see also from Diana Princess of Wales, her Collingwood Pearl Earrings and Diana's four Strand Pearl Bracelet.

Attributed to R. & S. Garrard & Co., mid-nineteenth century Diamonds, pearls, silver 7.2 × 3.3 cm

 

Queen Elizabeth II | The Duchess of Cambridge Pearl and Diamond Brooch | Katherine Duchess of Cambridge | Royal Jewels Great Britain and Ireland Historic Brooch

 

Source:@fitzmuseum;Roberts The Queens Diamonds; Royal Collection Trust;