These imposing diamond earrings once belonged to one of the most glamorous members of the British royal family. However, despite claims of Imperial Russian heritage over the years, their true origin remains a mystery.
Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark was born in 1906. Her father was Prince Nicolas of Greece and her mother was Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna of Russia (sometimes referred to as Princess Nicolas).
Elena’s mother, Grand Duchess Vladimir is considered to be one of the most important jewellery collectors in history and she amassed a fabulous collection of important pieces.
Elena received many gifts of jewellery for her wedding and when her three daughters, Olga, Elizabeth and Marina, made suitable royal marriages themselves, all three inherited elements of their mothers jewellery collection
In 1934, Princess Marina married George, Duke of Kent, Fourth Son of King George V of England.
Along with her mother’s Pearl Bandeau Tiara, she also received her Diamond Bow Brooch. However, these earrings (like the Kent Festoon Tiara) were not amongst the wedding gifts.
As with any large jewel belonging to Princess Marina or her sister Princess Olga of Yugoslavia, it is always assumed that they must have come from the legendary collection of their grandmother, Grand Duchess Vladimir.
When they reappeared at auction in 2000, the earrings are described as:
A Pair of George III Diamond and Imitation Diamond Ear Pendants
Each terminating in a detachable pear-shaped imitation diamond pendant within old mine-cut diamond surround with similar articulated pendants on either side to the scrolled diamond surmount and detachable cluster top, mounted in silver and gold, (four larger diamonds are replaced), circa 1780, 8.8 cm. long, with a red leather Cartier case (2)
Grand Duchess Vladimir, like most other Romanovs, did not typically buy antique jewellery and if they did, they tended to patronise the jewellers of Paris and St. Petersburg. It’s also worth noting that Grand Duchess Elena was never pictured wearing them and any jewel Marina had from her grandmother came via her mother.
Queen Mary, Marina’s the mother-in-law, was a passionate jewellery collector. As a descendant of King George III, she particularly favoured pieces reflecting her royal lineage. Marina’s husband, Prince George, shared this appreciation for jewellery and was a frequent visitor to the antique shops on Old Bond Street, suggesting a possible origin for these earrings
Whatever their origins, after her marriage, Princess Marina wore these earrings frequently. As a prominent member of the British Royal Family, she was required to attend important state functions. For these events, Marina would wear her most important jewels, usually pairing these earrings with her Diamond Bow Brooch
Known as ‘the Dazzling Pair’, Prince George and Princess Marina were the leaders of London High Society during the 1930’s. Marina became a great muse for the famous photographer Cecil Beaton. In his memoir he quotes:
“The Duchess looked excessively beautiful in a huge brown tulle crinoline, ruched like a Queen Anne window blind, or a lampshade, with old fashioned jewellery. She looked like a Winterhalter painting and it was thus she was photographed, slightly nervous at first and very royal with her deep, clipped accented voice but soon she was a pliable as any sitter I have ever had and we made many jokes and got along splendidly”
After Prince George’s tragic death in 1942, Marina was still a valued member of the extended Royal Family. It has been said that while courting Princess Elizabeth, her first cousin Prince Phillip would use Marina’s country home to see her away from the prying eyes of the courtiers.
When Queen Elizabeth ascended to the throne in 1952, Princess Marina attended her Coronation and once again wore the Girandole Earrings.
In addition to serving the British people and the Monarchy at ceremonial events, Marina would often attend many Royal gatherings across Europe.
When she died in 1968, Marina’s jewels were divided amongst her children. Katharine, Duchess of Kent, wife of Marina’s eldest son, Prince Edward, wore these earrings up until the mid 1990’s.
The earrings were eventually sold to the London jewellers SJ Phillips