Iris Peake’s Diamond Tiara

Today marks the 101st Anniversary of the Birth of the Hon. Iris Peake, who was born on this day in 1923! The Viscount’s daughter who served as an MI6 Secretary during the Second World War and was later a Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Margaret, Iris wore this spectacular Diamond Tiara!

While she was the maternal granddaughter of the 7th Earl and Countess of Essex, from whom her mother inherited the magnificent Cartier Essex Tiara, this striking Tiara originates from Iris’ paternal aunt, Maud Eileen Peake.

In 1953, the Cartier Essex Tiara was borrowed by Lady Churchill, the wife of the then Prime Minister, for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

Iris Peake served as a Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Margaret and carried her Train during the Coronation before appearing on the Balcony of Buckingham Palace. Her mother, Lady Ingleby, wrote

I was so proud of Iris, who looked lovely wearing her Aunt Eileen’s beautiful Tiara, but the velvet train was very heavy and a great strain on her arms.

The Queen’s train was even longer and heavier, but she had six maids of honour to carry it while Iris handled Princess Margaret’s alone.”

The next month, Iris Peake took her Aunt Eileen’s Tiara as she accompanied the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret on a Tour of Rhodesia.

Two years later, Iris was photographed wearing the Diamond Tiara on multiple occasions as she and Lady Elizabeth Cavendish joined Princess Margaret on a Tour of the Caribbean.

Iris Peake also wore her Aunt Eileen’s Tiara for another Tour of the Caribbean with Princess Margaret in 1958.

Iris Peake also accompanied Princess Margaret for engagements around London, including a Banquet hosted by the Lord Mayor of London in 1958.

In 1959, Iris Peake’s younger sister, Mary Rose Peake, wore the Tiara for her wedding to Everard March Phillipps de Lisle. It is not known if Iris also wore the Tiara for her own wedding to Oliver Dawnay in 1963, and the ultimate fate of the Tiara is known to us.

This week, Iris Dawnay (nee Peake) died aged 98. Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Margaret from 1952-62, she never spoke a word of it when I had tea with her, nor about working in @bletchleypark. #confidential generation. pic.twitter.com/bpNP89VglS

— Alastair Bruce (@AlastairBruce_) November 20, 2021

   

Iris Peake’s Diamond Tiara

Cartier Essex Tiara

Devonshire Tiara

Devonshire Diamond Rivière

Ruby Clasp

Wellington Tiara

Diamond Earrings

Diamond Tassel Earrings

Bagration Spinel Tiara

Rosebery Tiara

 Diamond Necklace

Westminster Myrtle Wreath Tiara

Diamond Fringe Tiara

Duchess of Buccleuch’s Tiaras

Northumberland Tiara

Duchess of Sutherland’s Tiara

Duchess of Bedford’s Tiaras

Marlborough Tiara

Portland Tiara

Duchess of Norfolk’s Sapphire Necklace

Rutland Tiara

Argyll Tiara

Manchester Tiara

Dufferin Tiara

Bath Tiara

Milford Haven Ruby Kokoshnik

Duchess of Devonshire’s Tiaras

Devonshire Parure

Ruby Clasp

Craven Brooch

Insect Brooches

Spencer Honeysuckle Tiara

Spencer Tiara

Spencer Diamond Earrings

Spencer Diamond Rivière

Tourmaline Brooch/Pendant

Londonderry Tiara

Londonderry Amethyst Parure

Londonderry Pearl Parure

Londonderry Turquoise Parure

Londonderry Diamond Stomacher

Londonderry Emerald Parure

The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara

Vladimir Tiara

Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara

Belgian Sapphire Tiara

Burmese Ruby Tiara

Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara

Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara

Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara

Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara

Nizam of Hyderabad Tiara

Plunket Tiara