Lady Mabel Florence Crichton| Lady Grosvenor Wedding|Duchess of Westminster Faberge Tiara Diamond Wreath | Myrtle-Leaves and berries

LADY MABEL CRICHTON MARRIED. London, Saturday April 1906

The marriage of Lord Hugh Grosvenor, let Life Guards, third surviving son of the late Duke of Westminster, and uncle of the present Duke with Lady Mabel Crichton, the younger of the two daughters of the Earl and Countess of Erne.

Elaborate preparations for the wedding were in progress up to a few days ago, but owing I to the very serious illness of Lady Helen Grosvenor, the bridegroom's sister, who was to have been a bridesmaid, the marriage took place in the quietest manner possible. The general invitations were conceited, and only relatives and very intimate friends were present. These included Katharine Duchess of Westminster, the Countess of Erne, Countess Grosvenor, Countess Beauchamp, Viscount and Lady Mary Crichton, Lord Edward Grosvenor, Lady Evelyn Ward, Lady Milbanks, Lady Jane Combs, Major and Mrs. W. Cavendish, and Miss Trefusis. There were no bridesmaids.

The bride, who was given away by her father wore a dress of rich silver white satin made with a corselet skirt with a long train. The corselet was outlined with a trail of orange blooms and chiffon leaves, and the robe was handsomely draped with fine old Brussels lace, and the sleeves of chiffon and lace were puffed at the elbow.

She wore no jewels, and her veil, also of Flemish lace, was worn over a corona of orange flowers. Her bouquet was composed of choice white exotics.

Captain the Hon. Algernon Stanley, of the bridegrooms regiment, discharged the duties of best man. The officiating clergy were the Rev. the Hon. Algernen Lawley, the Rev. J. H. Steele, chaplain to the Earl of Erne, and the Rev. Frederick Crichton, cousin of the bride. The service, a fully choral one, commenced with the hymn " Lead us,Heavenly Father," and after the opening prayer Stainer's Svenfold Amen was sung, followed by the Psalm " Dens Misereatur." The Rev. the Hon. Algernon Lawley then delivered a short address. Next followed the hymn, "G, perfect love," and while the register was being signed the choir sang Mendelesohn's anthem from "Elijah," "If with all your hearts ye truly seek Me." The service concluded with Mendelseohn's Wedding March. There was no reception after the marriage, and Lord and Lady Hugh Grosvenor left later in the afternoon for Combermere Abbey for the honeymoon.

Among the very numerous wedding presents was an antique Swedish copper vase from Prince Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden.

The officers of the let Life Guards gave four silver entree dishes and a fine old Georgian cake- basket, and the non-commissioned officers and men of A Squadron of the regiment sent a silver dish.

The marriage of Lady Mabel Crichton and Lord Hugh Grosvenor, which took place St. Peter’s Church, Eaton Square, was, after all, the very quitest of ceremonies, owing to the sudden dangerous illness of Lord Hugh’s sister, Lady Helen Grosvenor, all festivity was abandoned, and only the parents and brothers and sisters of the bride and bridegto .m came the church, the bride entering side door with her father, who gave her away, the officiating clergy being the Rev. R. J. Steele (chaplain to Lord Erne), the Hon. and Rev. i. Crichton (cousin of the bride), and the Hon. and Rev A. Lawley, while Lord Hugh’s best man was Captain Hon. A Stanley, Ist Lite Guards. The bridesmaids did not attend, and Lady Erne abandoned her intention of holding a receptiou. Catherine, Duchess of Westminster, has lent Combertnere Abbey for the honeymoon, but Lord and Lady Hugh Grosvenor will probably nearer London for few days to he within touch of their invalid sister, who is suffering from pneumonia inflammation of the brain.

The bridegroom's gift to his bride Lady Mabel Crichton a magnificent diamond tiara and a diamond pin- it was in the family archive the faberge myrtle wreath tiara, was bought for her as wedding present.

Lady Erne had given In addition to quantiy of beautiful lace, and to her son-in-law dessert service Wedgwood china d a silver coffee pot

Earl of Erne had given to his daughter a collar of pearls and diamond slides

Lady Grosvenor and Lord Edward Grosvenor to the bride a diamond and olivine brooch

Countess Grosvenor a sapphire, ruby and diamond brooch

Katharine Duchess of Westmimter gave to bride a very fine necklace and household linen

the Duke of Westminster, a necklace setted with large diamond and rubies;

Lord and Lady Londonderry, carved jade parasol handle ;

the Archbishop of Armagh, set of old Italian liqueur glasses; the household from the Castle, handsome walnut dressing case ;

Countess of Erne’s school came set of Irish crochet d’oyleys ;

Lord Gerald Grosvenor, canteen of silver ;

Duke and Duchess of Abercorn, breakfast dish.

Crichton, Lord Edward Oros and Lady Henry Grosvenor: combined in a handsome breakfast and

The Duke and Duchess of Teck rent a cheque, and to the bride a jeweled umbrella handle.

 

G. and Evelyn Ward, the Hon. G. Crichton, Hon. J. Crichton, Hon. A. Crichton. and Viscount and Viscountess Crichton a Louis XVI large diamond corsage- ornament.

Col and Lady Crichton. Mmor and MI, Hers. Miss Crichton Mr P. Crielitios. and Mr. T. Oration, complete writing set and blotter; Mr. and Mrs. Harbour. silver dish: Capt. E. and Mr. G. Miller. silver oats,: of the Vint Life Guard four sitter side dishes and silver bread baskets

The Marquis and Marchioness of Orrhondeso Lord and Lady Cheshani mined in the gift , to the bride of writing table

 

Children of Lady Mabel Florence Mary Crichton and Lord Hugh William Grosvenor

• Gerald Hugh Grosvenor, 4th Duke of Westminster . 13 Feb 1907, d. 25 Feb 1967
• Robert George Grosvenor, 5th Duke of Westminster . 24 Apr 1910, d. 19 Feb 1979

Important - she was the mother of two Dukes of Westminster, but never a Duchess.

 

Sources:Derry Journal; Gentlewoman; Clifton Society;The Queen;Archive Ursula Butschal.

This Head Ornament in brilliant diamonds, composed of two sprays of myrtle leaves and berries, the stalks are engraved red gold, leaves in a rubbed-over silver setting, pierced to suggest veining and the backed in gold.
Each spray, which is made in two parts measures 7 1/2 inches in length and ist made by Faberge workmaster Albert Holmström. Purchased to mark the marriage of Hugh William Grosvenor and Lady Mabel Florence Crichton, which took place in 1906.
This version of tiara was popular at the turn of the nineteenth century as a revivel of the Neo-classical style. Myrtle leave and berries were sacred to Aphorodite and Faberge ocuppied this interpretation of this ancient theme as allegory of grace, love and virgin for this bride - diadem.