Happy Birthday to Serena, Countess of Snowdon, who turns 55 today! The accomplished Earl’s daughter who married (and divorced) Princess Margaret’s only son and became the late Queen’s beloved niece-in-law, the Countess possesses Princess Margaret’s Diamond Spray Earrings!
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A pair of antique Diamond Spray Earclips, each spray set with old-cut diamonds, mounted in silver and gold, circa 1890.
The exact provenance of the Diamond Spray Earrings is not known but they appeared on Princess Margaret around the late 1970s, being worn for both daytime engagements and evening occasions.
Princess Margaret continued to notably wear the antique Diamond Spray Earrings through the 1990s, including for the birth of her first grandson, Samuel Chatto, in 1996.
The Diamond Spray Earrings were worn by Princess Margaret’s only daughter, Lady Sarah Chatto, for the Service of Thanksgiving celebrating the Queen Mother’s 100th Birthday in 2000.
Princess Margaret wore the Diamond Spray Earrings into the final years of her life, even when her mobility was impaired at the Queen Mother’s Birthday celebrations.
After Princess Margaret’s death in 2002, the Diamond Spray Earrings were among the jewels sold at a Auction at Sotheby’s in 2006, being sold for GBP 21,600 after an estimate of GBP 1,500 – GBP 2,000.
After the Christie’s Auction, it was revealed that her son, the then Viscount Linley, had reacquired her iconic portrait by Pietro Annigoni after the auction’s opening day brought in far more than had been estimated. It appeared that the Diamond Spray Earrings were also reacquired by the Viscount.
The then Viscountess Linley notably wore Princess Margaret’s Diamond Spray Earrings for the Wedding of Lady Melissa Percy and Thomas van Straubenzee at Alnwick Castle in 2013. The couple have since divorced but let’s hope the Diamond Spray Earrings will soon be worn by their daughter, Lady Margarita!
Linley Beachwood Tiara | Lotus Flower Tiara | Diamond Spray Earrings | Art Deco Diamond Clips
