Royal jewellery

At St Andrew’s URC Wednesday Afternoon Fellowship the first meeting of the 2016/17 session, Andrew Clay of Woodend Creative Space gave an illustrated talk about the royal jewels.

Apart from the Crown Jewels which form part of the State Regalia, and which we see on TV and in the Tower of London, the royal family has access to jewels going back centuries, and which are the private property of the monarch, so can be lent out to other members of the ‘Family Firm’, as Prince Phillip calls it, or given to family members for example in a will.

This presentation really has to be seen because the slides showing the various necklaces, tiaras, brooches, stomachers and so on are really breathtaking. Some of the items have been in the royal family for generations, some have been gifts from foreign leaders and states, and some were purchased by the late Queen Mary after the Russian Revolution when jewellery from that country was being sold be emigrés.

It is safe to say that this collection must be one of the most fantastic - if not the most fantastic - in the world. There were beautiful diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies and pearls, from all over the globe. We also saw pictures of some of the pieces worn by the Duchess of Windsor, who used different designers from those favoured by the royal family, and different makers. Her jewels were less traditional, but still beautiful, and also unusual.

The next fellowship meeting, at which everyone is welcome, will take place on Wednesday October 26, when Tim Tubbs will talk about Florence Nightingale. Entry to the church hall is via the Albion Crescent door, and those attending are asked to pay £2 towards running costs, with tea, coffee and biscuits being available after the meeting. For more information please contact Mrs P McNaughton on 01723 369070.