At her wedding to Prince Harry on May 19, 2018, Meghan Markle showcased an exquisite tiara valued at £2 million, which once belonged to Queen Mary. Initially, Meghan had her eye on the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiara for her big day, but her request was turned down due to concerns about its dubious origins. In a twist of events, Princess Eugenie wore the Greville tiara later that year for her wedding to Jack Brooksbank, leading to speculation that Meghan was "snubbed" in the process. Despite stepping back from their royal roles less than two years after their marriage, Harry and Meghan have successfully maintained a friendly bond with Eugenie and Jack, as both couples have children of similar ages.
The tiara Meghan donned is not just any piece of jewelry; it is a remarkable creation, featuring a centerpiece of 10 diamonds that originated from a brooch. This brooch was given to Queen Mary by the County of Lincoln as a wedding gift and was later reimagined into an Art Deco bandeau style tiara in 1932. Prior to her marriage, Meghan was invited by the late Queen Elizabeth to Buckingham Palace to select her tiara, where she initially chose a piece adorned with emeralds. However, the Queen allegedly declined this choice due to its problematic history, as explained by jewelry expert Maxwell Stone. It is believed that the controversial tiara in question was indeed the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik, which Princess Eugenie borrowed just six months after Meghan's wedding.
Considered the most valuable item in the royal collection, the Greville tiara was designed with pave-set rose-cut diamonds and features six striking emeralds. This magnificent piece was commissioned by Dame Margaret Helen Greville in 1919 and crafted by the renowned Parisian fine jewelry house, Boucheron. According to Stone, the tiara's most impressive element is the massive 93.7-carat cabochon-cut emerald at its center. Despite its royal legacy, the Greville tiara had not been seen at any royal event until Princess Eugenie's wedding, marking a notable return to royal gatherings.
6 Comments
Rotfront
This just feels like gossip about privileged people and their jewelry.
Karamba
It's hard to sympathize with this drama when so many people are struggling.
Matzomaster
So much attention paid to expensive things and titles, and nothing really important.
Karamba
The word 'snubbed' is overused here in this context.
Matzomaster
Royal family gossip really is a bit ridiculous at this point.
sagormia
Sounds like a bunch of elite squabbling over jewelry. Very boring content.