TV’s Victoria finds her perfect prince
IT IS an ‘iconic and exquisite’ piece of royal jewellery and a symbol of one of the country’s most famous love stories. But the £5million coronet Prince Albert designed for his beloved Queen Victoria could be forever lost overseas unless a UK buyer can be found.
The writer of the new ITV drama Victoria, which began last night, has now joined calls to save the sapphire and diamondencrusted headpiece and put it on display.
The coronet is considered one of the most important jewels of Queen Victoria’s long reign and was designed for her by her husband in 1840 – the year they were married.
But it has now been sold off by an unnamed London dealer to a buyer who wants to take it out of the country.
Yet the historic item has now been given a reprieve after the Government imposed a temporary bar on its exportation in a last-ditch attempt to find a person or institution able to meet the £5 million asking price – plus £1 million in VAT – needed to keep it in the UK.
Daisy Goodwin, screenwriter of the TV series, is among those to calling to keep the piece of royal heritage in the country: ‘It would be great if we could save the coronet and show it publicly here.’
Made by goldsmith Joseph Kitching in 1842 at a cost of £415, the coronet uses stones which came from jewellery given to Victoria by her uncle and predecessor William IV and his queen Adelaide.
The young queen is depicted wearing it in a famous portrait painted that year by Franz Xaver Winterhalter.
The four-and-a-half inch wide piece is decorated with 11 sapphires set in gold with diamonds set in silver.
The jewels matched the sapphire and diamond brooch that Albert gave to Victoria the day before their wedding. She noted in her journal: ‘My dear Albert has such good taste and arranges everything for me about my jewellery.’
Queen Victoria also wore the coronet for the state opening of Parliament in 1866, the first time she had attended the ceremony since the death of Albert in 1861 and experts believe she wore it as a reminder of her late husband.
Culture Minister Matt Hancock, who imposed the temporary export bar, said: ‘Queen Victoria’s coronet is stunning. It is one of the most iconic jewels from a pivotal period in our history and symbolises one of our nation’s most famous love stories.
‘I hope that we are able to keep the coronet in the UK and on display for the public to enjoy for years to come.’ The coronet was given by George V and Queen Mary to
‘Its departure would be a great loss’
Princess Mary on her marriage to Viscount Lascelles in 1922 and was later sold to a dealer in London, who subsequently sold it to the overseas buyer who has applied for an export licence.
The decision to defer the licence follows a recommendation by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA).
The coronet will stay in the UK until December 27 at least – with the possibility of an extension until late June next year if an alternative British buyer emerges with a credible proposal to buy it.
RCEWA member Philippa Glanville said: ‘Key to the self-image of the young Victoria, this exquisite coronet was designed by her husband Prince Albert. Worn in her popular state portrait by Winterhalter of 1842, the year it was made, its combination of personal meaning and formality explains why she chose to wear it in 1866, emerging from mourning for the state opening of Parliament.
‘It evokes vividly the shared romantic taste of the time, and its form has become familiar through many reproductions. Its departure would be a great loss, given its beauty, its associations and its history.’
ITV’s eight-part Sunday night drama follows the early life of Queen Victoria – played by Doctor Who actress Jenna Coleman – from her accession to the throne aged just 18 in 1837 and her passionate relationship with Prince Albert, played by Tom Hughes who starred in BBC spy drama The Game.