Today marks the Centenary of the Birth of Patricia Knatchbull, 2nd Countess Mountbatten of Burma, who was born on this day in 1924! The first cousin of the late Duke of Edinburgh, who lost her father, mother-in-law, and son in the tragic IRA assassination that made her a Countess in her own right, Lady Mountbatten had a spectacular jewellery collection, which included this Diamond Necklace!

Mountbatten Pearl Star Tiara | Brabourne Tiara | Lady Brabourne’s Diamond Earrings | Diamond Necklace | Diamond Wave Brooch | The Family Collection of the late Countess Mountbatten of Burma

A striking diamond necklace composed of swags and flourishes, this origin of this piece is unknown but, due to its similarities with Lady Pamela’s Diamond Necklace, it may have ben a gift from her parents, Earl and Countess Mountbatten.

The then Lady Barbaourne appeared wearing this wearing the Diamond Necklace with the Mountbatten Pearl Star Tiara and Lady Brabourne’s Diamond Earrings, when she joined the Queen for the Royal Film Performance of ‘West Side Story’ in 1962.

Lady Barbaourne was pictured wearing the Diamond Necklace on another occasion during the 1960s, also with the Mountbatten Pearl Star Tiara.

A few decades later, the Diamond Necklace appeared on Countess Mountbatten’s daughter-in-law, the then Lady Romsey, who also paired the necklace with the Mountbatten Pearl Star Tiara.

Unlike most of the Jewels of Countess Mountbatten, the Necklace was not included in the The Family Collection of the late Countess Mountbatten of Burma Sale at Sotheby’s in 2021, so they likely still remain with the current Countess Mountbatten and we await their reappearance!

Mountbatten Pearl Star Tiara | Brabourne Tiara | Lady Brabourne’s Diamond Earrings | Diamond Necklace | Diamond Wave Brooch | The Family Collection of the late Countess Mountbatten of Burma

Mountbatten Pearl Star Tiara