Today marks the 50th Anniversary of the Death of Princess Patricia of Connaught / Lady Patricia Ramsay, who died on this day in 1974! The granddaughter of Queen Victoria who gave up her title to marry a Scottish Earl’s son and was the aunt of Swedish and Danish Sovereigns, Lady Patricia possessed many splendid jewels, including today’s Maple Leaf Brooch!
Diamond Tiara | Honeysuckle Tiara | Fringe Tiara | Diamond Jubilee Chain | Connaught Diamond Bow Brooch | Pearl Brooch | Maple Leaf Brooch | Diamond Brooch
When the Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and the Duchess of Connaught were departing Canada at the end of their five-year term as Governor General and Viceregal Consort in 1916, the Duchess’ Canadian friends presented her with this striking Diamond Maple Leaf Brooch (as discovered by the wonderful Beth).
The Duchess passed away the following year, and the Diamond Maple Leaf Brooch was among the Jewels, which included the Pearl Brooch, the Duchess of Connaught’s Diamond Rivieres, and the Connaught Bow Brooch, inherited by her younger daughter, Princess Patricia, who gave up her title two years later to marry The Hon. (later Sir) Alexander Ramsay, third son of the 13th Earl of Dalhousie.
During the First World War, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry was named in her honour, and she remained their Colonel-in-Chief until her death in 1974, thus the Maple Leaf was a most appropriate choice. Lady Patricia’s wedding dress is on display at the Military Museum in Calgary, part of the collection of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Museum.
The Maple Leaf Brooch was notably worn by Lady Patricia for a Garden Party in 1924, before making a more notable appearance at the Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at Westminster Abbey in 1937, paired with a Fringe Tiara and the Connaught Bow Brooch.
Following the Second World War, Lady Patricia wore the Maple Leaf Brooch with her Diamond Tiara for a Gala Performance at Covent Garden, in honour of the State Visit of the French President.
In 1958, Lady Patricia wore the Maple Leaf Brooch for a Gala Performance at the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen, on the eve of the 18th Birthday of her great-niece and goddaughter, the future Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.
The following day, Lady Patricia paired the Maple Leaf Brooch with Princess Helena Victoria’s Honeysuckle Tiara for Queen Margrethe’s 18th Birthday Banquet at Christiansborg Palace, who Lady Patricia gifted the Connaught Pearl Brooch.
After Lady Patricia’s death in 1974, the Maple Leaf Brooch was inherited by her only son, Alexander, and his wife Lady Saltoun, but was not among the 74 lots that were sold at the Christie’s 15 May 1974 Important Jewels Sale, alongside her Honeysuckle Tiara, Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Chain, the Duchess of Connaught’s Diamond Rivieres, and the Connaught Bow Brooch. It most likely still remains in the possession of Lady Saltoun.
Diamond Tiara | Honeysuckle Tiara | Fringe Tiara | Diamond Jubilee Chain | Diamond Bow Brooch | Pearl Brooch | Maple Leaf Brooch | Diamond Brooch
