Royal Jewel Stories ♛

In 1911, Princess Louise and her family were sailing to Egypt when their ship encountered a storm off the coast of Morocco. The family survived, but according to legend, Princess Louise’s chest filled with valuable jewels fell into the sea. The jewels were never recovered, and this loss has become one of the mysterious legends of the British crown jewels.

Queen Victoria’s Mourning Jewels
After Prince Albert’s death, Queen Victoria spent many years wearing only black clothes and “mourning jewelry.” These pieces were typically simple and dark. One of Victoria’s favorite items was a brooch containing a lock of Albert’s hair. The emotional significance of these jewels was a way for the Queen to express her grief.

The Weight of St. Edward’s Crown
The St. Edward’s Crown, used in the coronation ceremonies of kings and queens, weighs nearly 2.23 kilograms. Before each coronation, the crown must be adjusted to ensure it can be worn comfortably. Due to its weight, great care must be taken during the ceremony.

Queen Elizabeth’s Birthday Brooch
One of Queen Elizabeth’s most frequently worn diamond brooches was a gift from her father, King George VI, on her 18th birthday. This brooch has great sentimental value, and Queen Elizabeth has worn it on many special occasions throughout her life.

The Cullinan Diamond and the Missing Pieces
The Cullinan Diamond, the largest uncut diamond ever discovered, plays a significant role in the crown jewels. The massive diamond was cut into nine large and 96 smaller pieces. The two largest pieces are set in the crown and the Royal Sceptre. However, it’s rumored that some smaller pieces went missing during the cutting process, and some believe these lost fragments may still be hidden within the royal family’s private collection.

Princess Margaret’s Tiara Choice
When Princess Margaret married Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1960, she opted not to wear the tiara suggested by Queen Elizabeth, instead choosing the Poltimore Tiara, inherited from Queen Mary. This tiara, made in the 1870s, was purchased at auction by Margaret before her wedding.

Queen Elizabeth’s Broken Tiara on Her Wedding Day
On Queen Elizabeth’s wedding day, a small mishap became part of royal history. On November 20, 1947, when Princess Elizabeth was preparing to marry Prince Philip, the “Fringe Tiara” belonging to her mother was chosen for the event. However, the tiara’s frame broke just before the ceremony! It was immediately sent to a jeweler for repairs and was returned just in time for the wedding. Despite the small scare, Elizabeth wore the tiara gracefully, and this incident has since become a memorable part of her wedding story.

Queen Alexandra’s Fake Pearls
Queen Alexandra, in the late 19th century, was fond of large and impressive pearls. Surprisingly, however, she often preferred fake pearls over real ones. At the time, real pearls were incredibly rare and expensive, but Alexandra believed that well-made imitation pearls were indistinguishable from the real thing. She was frequently seen wearing long strands of these pearls, which even caused some surprise within the royal family. Fake pearls became a signature part of her elegant style.

Princess Diana’s Swan Lake Jewelry Set
One of the final pieces of jewelry worn by Princess Diana was the Swan Lake Set, a necklace and earrings made of diamonds and pearls. Diana wore the necklace, but not the unfinished earrings, while attending a performance of "Swan Lake" in London in 1997. According to rumors, the jewels were loaned to her for the event. Tragically, Diana passed away shortly after this, and the set was later purchased by a collector, becoming closely associated with her memory.

Queen Elizabeth’s “Granny’s Chips” Diamond Brooch
One of the first pieces of jewelry Queen Elizabeth II received after ascending to the throne in 1952 was the Cullinan III and IV Brooch, featuring two large diamonds from the famous Cullinan Diamond. Queen Elizabeth affectionately calls this brooch “Granny’s Chips,” as it was passed down from her grandmother, Queen Mary. Despite the playful name, the diamonds are massive, making this brooch one of the most significant pieces in the royal collection.