Happy 70th Birthday to the Marchioness of Lansdowne! The noted interior designer, chatelaine of Bowood House, and former High Sheriff of Wiltshire who is Queen Camilla’s leading ‘Queen’s Companion’, her versatile Lansdowne Diamond Floral Tiara is the magnificent heirloom of the illustrious Petty-Fitzmaurice Family!
A magnificent Diamond Floral Tiara composed of versatile elements which can also be worn as brooches, the exact origin of this Tiara is unknown, but it may originate from the 4th Marchioness of Lansdowne, a granddaughter of Prince Talleyrand, or from the tenure of her son, the 5th Marquess of Lansdowne, who served as the Viceroy of India and Governor General of Canada in addition to being the fourth largest landowner and sixteenth richest peer in the United Kingdom.
The 5th Marchioness of Lansdowne was photographed wearing the Diamond Floral Tiara in a photograph taken in Simla during her tenure as the Viceregal Consort of India.
A few years later, the Marchioness of Lansdowne wore the central Diamond Flower in her hair as she dressed as Lady Keith, wife of the British Ambassador at the Court of Maria Therese, for the legendary Devonshire House Bal in 1897.
The 5th Marchioness of Lansdowne, who served as a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Alexandra between 1905 and 1925, wore the Diamond Floral Tiara for the Coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1902. The Marchioness’s elder daughter, the Duchess of Devonshire, served as the Mistress of the Robes to Queen Mary for over 40 years while her daughter-in-law was first the Mistress of the Robes of the late Queen.
The 5th Marchioness wore the Diamond Floral Tiara again for the Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911. The Tiara was among the entailed property, like Bowood House, which remained with the Marquess, while other Titles and Properties were divided between the family after the death of the 7th Marquess in 1944.
In 2023, the current Marchioness of Lansdowne wore central element of the Diamond Floral Tiara as a Brooch as she served Queen Camila during the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey.
A few months later, entire Diamond Floral Tiara was worn by the Marchioness of Lansdowne when she accompanied he King and Queen for the State Opening of Parliament in the Chamber of the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster!
More recently, the Marchioness of Lansdowne wore the Diamond Floral Tiara again for this year’s State Opening of Parliament in the Chamber of the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster! We have not yet seen Lady Lansdowne at State Banquets but there is no doubt the Lansdowne Tiara will be worn for years to come!
Lansdowne Tiara
Devonshire Diamond Palmette Tiara
Duchess of Devonshire’s Tiaras
Devonshire Diamond Rivière
Devonshire Parure
Ruby Clasp
Craven Brooch
Insect Brooches
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