Jewellery of the Royal Family: A Garrard History
Part 1

Ever since our first royal commission in 1735, Garrard has been crafting jewellery for the British Royal Family. When Queen Victoria appointed Garrard the first official Crown Jeweller in 1843, it marked the start of a new era in our heritage, with some of history’s most important jewels and regalia brought to life in our workshop, each carefully noted in our Royal Ledgers. From iconic tiaras to some of Queen Elizabeth II’s most cherished brooches, these legendary creations are recognised and celebrated throughout the world.

1840

Queen Victoria’s Sapphire Cluster Brooch

Prince Albert commissioned Garrard to create a magnificent sapphire and diamond cluster brooch for Queen Victoria, which he gave to her on the eve of their wedding. She chose to get married in it the very next day, wearing it as her “something blue”. After Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne in 1952, she was often spotted in Victoria’s sapphire brooch.

Mid-19th Century

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.

1853

Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara

Prince Albert commissioned the Oriental Circlet Tiara for his wife, Queen Victoria. Set with opals and diamonds, Mughal arches and lotus flowers were woven into the design. The opals were later replaced with rubies at the request of Queen Alexandra, who believed them to be unlucky. The circlet went on to become one of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s most-worn jewels.

1856

Queen Victoria’s Diamond Fringe Brooch

Adapted from a chaine de corsage made for Queen Victoria, the cluster style is enhanced by nine strands of diamonds suspended beneath. Thebrooch was displayed as part of the exhibition Diamonds: A Jubilee Celebration at the Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace in 2012.

1858

The Coronation Necklace

Made for Queen Victoria using the diamonds from a Garter badge and sword hilt, the Coronation Necklace was subsequently worn by Queen Alexandra, Mary, Elizabeth and Elizabeth II at their coronations. In keeping with tradition, it was most recently worn by Camilla in 2023 at the coronation of King Charles III and his Queen.

The Coronation Earrings

Created for Queen Victoria to wear with the Coronation Necklace, the pear shape diamonds are impressive, weighing approximately 12 and 7 carats. Like the Coronation Necklace, the earrings are known as the Coronation Earrings because they have been worn at successive coronations.

Queen Victoria's Bow Brooches

A suite of three brooches, designed as naturalistic ribbon bows and set with brilliant and rose-cut diamonds. They were inherited by Queen Elizabeth II in 1952, who wore them throughout her reign.

1858-9

Queen Victoria’s Regal Circlet

With alternating fleur-de-lis and cross pattée patterns, the Regal Circlet was created for Queen Victoria using diamonds taken from other royal jewels. The precious stones were removed in the 1930s, with the diamonds used for Queen Elizabeth II’s consort crown. The empty frame now resides in the Museum of London.

1858

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.

1858

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.

Discover More: Princess Margaret’s Wedding Tiara

1888

Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara

The design of Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara was inspired by the traditional halo-shaped Russian headdress after which it is named. The convertible tiara, which can also be worn as a necklace, was inherited by Queen Mary, who bequeathed it to her granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953. The Queen wore it consistently throughout her reign.

1893

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.

1897

Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Brooch

Given to Queen Victoria by the members of her royal household to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of 1897, this brooch was frequently worn by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother throughout her long life.

Early 1900s

Persian Turquoise Parure

Queen Mary acquired a suite of jewels from Garrard set with Persian turquoise and diamonds, including the tiara worn here by Princess Margaret. In 1923, the jewels were given to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, who in turn gifted them to her younger daughter, Princess Margaret, as a 21stbirthday present. When Margaret died in 2002, a great number of her jewels were auctioned. However, this tiara was not included in the sale, with its whereabouts remaining a mystery.

1901

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.

1910

Sovereign’s Sceptre

Originally made at the request of King Charles II, the Sovereign’s Sceptre has been used at every coronation since 1661. One of the most recognisable of the Crown Jewels of Britain, it has undergone several alterations throughout its history. The most recent, and most significant, was in 1910, when Garrard redesigned the Sceptre to receive the historic 530carat Cullinan I diamond.

Discover More: The Sovereign’s Sceptre: A Priceless Piece of Garrard History