The Royal Watcher - Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
Happy Birthday to Lady Gabriella Kingston, who turns 44 today! The accomplished writer and singer daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, who is 56th in the Line of Succession and was recently widowed, Lady Gabriella recently wore this sentimental Aquamarine Clip Brooch!
When Prince George, Duke of Kent married Princess Marina of Greece in November 1934, the groom gave these striking Aquamarine and Diamond Clip Brooches as a Wedding Gift to the eight bridesmaids:
The Duke of Kent, it was revealed last night, has given the eight bridesmaids brooches of diamonds and aquamarines set in platinum. They are of very modern, triangular design, and each brooch bears the initials “G” and *M” carried out in the two stones. The gifts wee sent to the bridesmaids by special messenger last night, and they will be worn at the wedding.
Princess Marina’s bridesmaids wore the Aquamarine Clip Brooches on the side or centre of her necklines on the Wedding Day. The bridesmaids were Princess Juliana of the Netherlands, Princess Elizabeth of York, Princess Irene, Princess Katherine and Princess Eugenie of Greece, Grand Duchess Kira Kirillovna of Russia, Lady Mary Cambridge and Lady Iris Mountbatten.
It is not known how Lady Gabriella came into procession of the Aquamarine Clip Brooch. There may have been an extra Brooch that was passed down in the family, or one of the Clips may have been given as a gift to Lady Gabriella by one of the bridesmaids or their family. The late Queen was among the guests at Lady Gabriella’s Wedding at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in 2019.
In 2023, Lady Gabriella debuted the Aquamarine Clip Brooch when she joined King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the Royal Procession on Day 5 of Royal Ascot. Let’s hope we see it worn again soon!
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