Queen Alexandra’s Wedding Parure
The Queen Alexandra Wedding Parure represents a significant milestone in the history of British sovereign jewelry, marking the 1863 union between the future King Edward VII and Princess Alexandra of Denmark. Unlike many high-profile sets that originated as regional tributes or state gifts, this suite frequently referred to as the "Wedding Gift Suite" was a private commission by the Prince of Wales for his bride. Produced by a leading London workshop, the set was designed to emphasize the luminous quality of natural pearls integrated with a dense diamond framework.
The Wedding Gift Brooch
The Queen Alexandra Wedding Brooch is an exemplary work of Victorian jewelry architecture, noted for its modular design and balanced symmetry. The focal point of the ornament is a substantial, button-shaped pearl enclosed by a halo of brilliant-cut diamonds. The surrounding framework features intricate openwork and collet-set stones, creating a light-reflecting, lace-like aesthetic.
The most distinctive feature of the piece is its "triple drop" configuration. Three detachable pendants are suspended from the primary cluster, each consisting of a diamond link supporting a pear-shaped pearl. This arrangement permitted a high degree of versatility; the central cluster could be utilized as a singular daytime accessory, while the reattachment of the pendants restored the piece to its full ceremonial grandeur.
The Triple Drop Necklace
The accompanying Queen Alexandra Wedding Necklace, often identified as the Triple Drop Necklace, serves as the grander counterpart to the brooch. Its structure consists of eight pearl and diamond clusters linked by festoons of diamonds. Mirroring the motif of the brooch, the central section of the necklace features three magnificent pear-shaped pearl drops. Princess Alexandra famously utilized this necklace during her wedding ceremony at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, where it functioned as a central element of her bridal attire. Its rhythmic design and significant scale established it as one of her most documented accessories throughout the early decades of her marriage.
Provenance and Contemporary Status
Upon the death of Queen Alexandra in 1925, the palace (excluding the tiara, which was inherited by Princess Victoria and eventually moved out of the main line) passed to Queen Mary. Recognizing its historical value, Queen Mary maintained the necklace, earrings, and brooch as a cohesive set. In 1953, the collection was inherited by Queen Elizabeth II.
Throughout her reign, Queen Elizabeth II frequently utilized the Queen Alexandra Wedding Brooch for diplomatic engagements, often opting for the streamlined look of the central cluster without the pendant drops. Conversely, the Queen Alexandra Wedding Necklace became a preferred choice for the Queen Mother, who featured it extensively in her formal portraiture and state appearances. In the contemporary era, the suite remains a functional part of the royal treasury, celebrated for the harmonious integration of the pearls' organic luster with the precision of Victorian diamond settings.
