Jewellery of the Royal Family: A Garrard History 

The Duchess of Cambridge’s Brooch

Like all the members of her family, Augusta, Duchess of Cambridge used Garrard as her principal jeweller. Daughter-in-law to George III, Garrard created this brooch for the Duchess using diamonds and natural pearls. It was among the collection of brooches frequently worn by Queen Elizabeth II. 

The Duchess of Teck’s Flower Brooch 

Made for Princess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck, by the 1920s the Flower Brooch was in the possession of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. It remained a favourite jewel for the rest of her life.

Queen Alexandra’s Wedding Parure  

Queen Alexandra’s pearl and diamond wedding parure was a wedding present from Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VII. Sadly, after Alexandra’s death without a will, the tiara was lost. Today, only the earrings, brooch and necklace survive. Catherine, Princess of Wales wore the necklace for the first time at the Netherlands State Banquet in 2018. 

Queen Alexandra’s Collet Necklace 

Set with spectacular old-cut Golconda diamonds, this classic rivière necklace was given to Princess Alexandra by the City of London to celebrate her marriage to Edward, Prince of Wales, almost 40 years before he was crowned king. Queen Elizabeth II wore the necklace regularly throughout her reign.

Queen Victoria’s Small Diamond Crown 

 Following the death of her husband Albert in 1861, Queen Victoria went into mourning. In 1870, she commissioned Garrard to create a miniature Imperial State Crown that was small enough to be worn above her widow’s cap. Visitors to the Tower of London can see it on display in the Jewel House. 

The Poltimore Tiara 

Named after its original owner, the Poltimore Tiara was purchased in 1959 by Princess Margaret, who wore it on her wedding day the following year. A brilliant example of Garrard’s expertise in creating transformable jewels, it can also be worn as a necklace and 11 separate brooches. A prized possession, Princess Margaret’s husband famously photographed her wearing the tiara in the bathtub at Kensington Palace in 1962. 

The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara 

This iconic tiara was named after the committee responsible for raising the funds to pay for it as a wedding gift to Queen Mary. Topped with pearls and designed to be transformable, the pearls were later replaced with diamonds. Featured in portraits, on stamps and on currency, worn by Queen Elizabeth II, it is among the best known of all the royal tiaras made by Garrard. 

Queen Mary’s Women of Hampshire Brooch 

This brooch was presented to Princess Victoria of Teck, later Queen Mary, on her marriage to the future King George V on behalf of the women of Hampshire. Originally designed as a pendant jewel, it was later converted into a brooch for Queen Mary, who bequeathed it to Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. 

Queen Mary’s Love Trophy Collar 

 Delicately crafted in the Louis XVI style, Garrard made the Love Trophy Collar for Queen Mary when she was Duchess of Cornwall and York. Formed of seven diamond-set panels, each features a bow, quiver and torch that combine to form an amatory, or love trophy.  

Prince of Wales’ Coronet 

Made in silver gilt, silver, velvet and ermine for the Prince of Wales, later King George V, to wear at the coronation of his father, King Edward VII, in 1902. The coronet was subsequently worn by King Edward VIII, when he was Prince of Wales. 

Cullinan V Brooch  

Commissioned by Queen Mary to wear in the stomacher of her Delhi Durbar Parure, the centre stone is the 18.80 carat heart shape Cullinan V diamond. Cut from the 3,106 carat Cullinan Diamond, the largest diamond ever discovered, Garrard designed the mount so that the Cullinan V can be detached and worn with other jewels, including the Cullinan VIII Brooch, below. 

The Cullinan VI and VIII Brooch 

Among the nine large gems cut from the Cullinan Diamond, the 11.50 carat marquise cut Cullinan VI diamond was purchased by King Edward VII for Queen Alexandra in 1908, while the 6.80 carat emerald cut Cullinan VIII diamond was given to Queen Mary in 1910. This combination was favoured by Queen Elizabeth II, who wore the Cullinan VI as a pendant, suspended beneath the Cullinan VIII Brooch.

The Cullinan IX Ring 

Made for Queen Mary, the Cullinan IX ring features a classic openwork 12 claw setting clasping the 4.40 carat Cullinan IX diamond – the smallest of the nine numbered stones cut from the great Cullinan Diamond.

The Imperial Crown of India 

Set with 6,100 diamonds, the Imperial Crown of India was made for the crowning of King George V at the Delhi Durbar of 1911. Held to mark the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary as Emperor and Empress of India, one of Garrard’s directors accompanied the royal party to Delhi, anticipating any last-minute alterations.  

The Delhi Durbar Parure 

Alongside King George V’s Imperial Crown of India, Garrard also created a spectacular suite of jewels for Queen Mary to wear for the Delhi Durbar: an emerald and diamond necklace, tiara, earrings, brooch and stomacher. The necklace showcased eight cabochon emeralds, known collectively as the Cambridge emeralds, with two removable pendants, one set with the marquise cut Cullinan VII diamond. Queen Elizabeth II inherited the Delhi Durbar Necklace in 1953 and was pictured wearing it on many occasions.  

Queen Mary’s Consort Crown 

Set with three historic diamonds, the Koh-i-Noor and the Cullinan III and IV, Queen Mary commissioned this crown for the coronation of her husband, George V, in 1911. Inspired by Queen Alexandra’s Crown of 1902, the eight arches can be removed, transforming it into a circlet, which is how Queen Mary wore it at the coronation of her son, King George VI, in 1937. In 2023, Queen Camilla was crowned with Queen Mary’s Consort Crown. The first time in recent history that an existing crown has been used for the coronation of a Queen Consort, the controversial Koh-i-Noor was removed for the occasion.  

The Imperial State Crown 

 Used at the coronation of King Charles III in 2023, the Imperial State Crown was made by Garrard for the coronation of his grandfather, George VI, in 1937 and subsequently used to crown his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953. It is set with some of the most famous stones in the Royal Collection, including the Cullinan II diamond, the Stuart Sapphire, the Black Prince’s Ruby and St Edward’s Sapphire, said to have been worn in a ring by Edward the Confessor. 

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s Consort Crown 

Made by Garrard for Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother to wear to the coronation of her husband, King George VI, many of the diamonds were repurposed from Queen Victoria’s Regal Circlet. The Koh-i-Noor, history’s most famous – and controversial – diamond, was set in a cross at the front of the crown.  

The Spencer Tiara 

The arrival of a new Queen Consort saw the entrance a new Lady of the Bedchamber for Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother: Cynthia Spencer, wife of the 7th Earl Spencer. The Spencer Tiara was crafted for her to wear to royal events. Inherited by her son John, the 8th Earl Spencer and Princess Diana’s father, Princess Diana wore the tiara on multiple occasions, including in 1981 for her wedding to King Charles III, then Prince of Wales.