Today marks the Anniversary of the Death of Princess Margaret, the late Queen’s only sister, who died on this day in 2002! As one of the leading members of the Royal Family for her entire life, the late Princess had a magnificent jewelry collection, which included her iconic Cartier Ruby Flower Brooch!
Poltimore Tiara | Turquoise Parure | Cartier Halo Tiara | Lotus Flower Tiara | Snowdon Floral Tiara | Teck Diamond Hoop Necklace | Diamond Earrings | Ruby Girandole Earrings | Emerald Earrings | Pearl Earrings | Sapphire Earrings | Diamond Star Earrings | Diamond and Pearl Riviere | Diamond Clips | Star Brooch | Cartier Rose Brooch | Ruby Flower Brooch | Ear-of-Wheat Brooch | Floral Spray Brooch | Diamond Fleur-de-Lys Brooch | Princess Margaret’s Tiaras
The Cartier Ruby Flower Brooch is composed of curved openwork old and single-cut diamond petals and stem with the oval ruby stamen and leaf decoration, and was created by Cartier in 1948, still in the original red leather Cartier case
According to Cartier Geneva, this brooch, made by Cartier London in 1948, was originally a clip brooch that had been converted into a pin fitting brooch, hence the absence of a signature which would originally have been on the top of the clip
It is not known if the Ruby Flower Brooch was a gift from Princess Margaret’s parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, or from a Shipping Company, like many of her other jewels, but one of the easiest times was Princess Margaret pictured wearing the Brooch was at a Faberge Exhibition in Wartski in 1949.
Princess Margaret wore the Cartier Ruby Flower Brooch regularly over the years, with notable occasions at daytime events, like the Epsom Derby in 1955, and in the evening, like at the Royal Variety Performance in 1952.
During the 1960s, Princess Margaret was seen wearing the Cartier Ruby Flower Brooch for numerous Gala Performances and Premieres, in all manner of ways including in her hair.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Princess Margaret wore the Cartier Ruby Flower Brooch at numerous gala events, including several Royal Caledonian Balls, usually with her Diamond Earrings and her Ruby Girandole Earrings.
Princess Margaret continued to wear the Cartier Ruby Flower Brooch for regular engagements and annual events like Trooping the Colour and Royal Ascot, as well as special events like the Wedding of Lady Sarah Chatto in 1994 and the Queen Mother’s 100th Birthday Gala in 2000.
After Princess Margaret’s death in 2002, while some of her jewels remained with her children; the 2nd Earl of Snowdon and Lady Sarah Chatto, many of them were sold at the at the famous 2006 Christie’s Auction, with the Cartier Ruby Flower Brooch, estimated at GBP 10,000 – GBP 15,000, being sold for GBP 108,000, several times over its estimate. Its current location is unknown.
Poltimore Tiara | Turquoise Parure | Cartier Halo Tiara | Lotus Flower Tiara | Snowdon Floral Tiara | Teck Diamond Hoop Necklace | Diamond Earrings | Ruby Girandole Earrings | Emerald Earrings | Pearl Earrings | Sapphire Earrings | Diamond Star Earrings | Diamond and Pearl Riviere | Diamond Clips | Star Brooch | Cartier Rose Brooch | Cartier Ruby Flower Brooch | Ear-of-Wheat Brooch | Floral Spray Brooch | Diamond Fleur-de-Lys Brooch | Princess Margaret’s Tiaras
