The Delhi Durbar Tiara (England)

The Delhi Durbar Tiara

The Delhi Durbar Tiara was made by Garrards for Queen Mary during the Delhi Durbar on December 12, 1911.  (A "Durbar" is a ceremonial gathering to pay homage.)  The 1911 Delhi Durbar installed King George V and Queen Mary as Emperor and Empress of India.  The circlet was admired by King George who was known to refer to it as "May's best tiara."

While the origins of the tiara's diamonds is unknown, there is speculation that Queen Mary's Diamond Loop Tiara was broken up to make the Delhi Durbar.  The tiara previously included five of the Cambridge cabochon emeralds and also was occasionally worn with two diamonds from the Cullian stone.  But the emeralds were removed by Queen Mary and made into another tiara now owned by Queen Elizabeth.  The diamonds were kept separately as a brooch.

Queen Mary in the Delhi Durbar with the 

five Cambridge cabochon emeralds

In 1947 the tiara was lent to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, who wore it for an official visit to South Africa.  The tiara remained with the Queen Mother until her death and was not seen again until June 1998 when it was displayed in an exhibition of royal jewelry at the auctioneer Christie's.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall wearing 

the Delhi Durbar in October 2005

The tiara reappeared in October 2005 when the Duchess of Cornwall arrived at Buckingham Palace wearing the Delhi Durbar for a royal banquent.  The state banquet in the Ball Room of Buckingham Palace was held in honor of the King and Queen of Norway.

The Poltimore Tiara (England)

Made in 1870 by Garrard for Lady Poltimore, the wife of the second Baron Poltimore and Treasurer to Queen Victoria's household from 1872-1874.

Florence, Lady Poltimore, wife of the Second Baron Poltimore

for whom the tiara was originally made.

The tiara was sold in a public auction on January 29, 1959 by the Fourth Baron Poltimore.  It was acquired on the advice of Patrick Plunkett, Deputy Master of the Household, for Princess Margaret (Queen Elizabeth's sister) for an estimated £5,500.

Princess Margaret first wore the tiara in public at her wedding on May 6, 1960.

The tiara may also be broken down into a necklace and broaches. 

In June 2006, the Poltimore tiara was again sold at auction.  Christie's featured the piece in its auction "Property from the Collection of Her Royal Highness The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon."  The tiara sold for an estimated $1,704,575 USD to an unknown buyer.

The Poltimore Tiara at auction.

The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara (England)

Made by Garrard in 1883 and purchased by Lady Eve Greville from funds raised by the "girls of Great Britain and Ireland."  The tiara was given to Princess Mary of Teck (also known as "May") on the occasion of her wedding to Prince George, the son of King Edward VII.

The original had pearl finials which Queen Mary replaced with diamonds.  Mary also removed the lozenge-pattern bandeau from the base of the tiara enabling the base to be worn as as a headband.

In 1947, both the band and the tiara were given to Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II) as wedding presents.  In 1969, Queen Elizabeth had the bandeau and the tiara reattached.

Princess Mary in the tiara with the original pearl finials.

The tiara with the lozenge-pattern bandeau removed.

Queen Mary and later, Princess Elizabeth, wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara without the lozenge-pattern bandeau.

Queen Elizabeth wearing the tiara in its current form.