Tiara Tuesday: Poltimore Tiara

On May 6, 1960; the late-Princess Margaret married Antony Armstrong-Jones at Westminster Abbey.

Prior to Margaret and Antony’s engagement, the tiara was acquired for her. Many say it was selected by Margaret and bought by the Queen or the Queen Mum. Although, many thought that it was Margaret who bought it herself. The tiara was made by Garrard for Florence, Lady Poltimore who was the wife of the second Baron Poltimore. The Tiara was auctioned by the fourth Baron Poltimore in 1959.

The tiara is an all-diamond set in gold and silver in which clusters of cushion-shaped and old-cut diamonds are set amongst scroll motifs topped with diamonds. It has a maximum diameter of 19.2 centimeters. And it is a convertible piece, breaking down into a necklace and a set of 11 brooches. In the close up view of the tiara, you can just see the fittings at the back of the tiara which release to allow it to come off of its frame.

The place that Margaret wore the tiara most notably was at her wedding in 1960, ever since her death she wore it. Sadly, the tiara was auctioned off at Christie’s in 2006. Her children, Viscount Linley and Lady Sarah Chatto put not only the tiara but some other jewels. The estimated cost for the tiara was £150,000 - £200,000. But since it was worn by Royalty the cost was much higher, £926,400 ($1,704,576).

Many thought why didn’t the Queen buy it? Well, the queen had many tiaras that she wasn’t wear (ex: Sapphire Suite Tiara) and adding another tiara which probably wouldn’t come out wouldn’t be to smart.