Royal jewels going on show to celebrate Victoria and Albert
IT WAS a love story which thrilled an empire.
And now the enduring relationship of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert is being recalled in an exhibition at her childhood home, Kensington Palace. The palace is to host a Victoria Revealed exhibition, with a glittering suite of gems specially commissioned for Victoria by Albert.
The Royal couple are famed for their love of fine craftsmanship, together commissioning and purchasing some of the 19th century’s finest artworks, porcelains and objects d’art to fill their homes.
Among the most personal of these treasures were the spectacular gifts the couple exchanged, from the moment of their engagement in 1839 and throughout their 21-year marriage.
Comprising a magnificent diamond and emerald diadem, emerald necklace, earrings and brooch, this parure – or matching suite of jewels – showcases both the exquisite workmanship of 19th-century goldsmiths and Albert’s own flair for design.
Victoria, clearly delighted with the gift, wrote in her journal of her husband’s “wonderful taste”, and her delight at wearing this “lovely Diadem of diamonds and emeralds designed by my beloved Albert”.
A Kensington Palace spokesman said: “Touchingly, Victoria and Albert’s children and grandchildren continued the tradition of giving gifts of jewels to mark significant events, and a number of other glittering Royal gifts join the display.
“The majestic Fife tiara, given to Queen Victoria’s granddaughter Princess Louise on her wedding day, is today considered one of the finest works produced by celebrated Parisian jeweller Oscar Massin, and represents the very zenith of tiara design.
“A gift from the Duke of Fife, it comprises hundreds of diamonds ranging in weight from one to 10 carats.”
The Victoria Revealed exhibition opens on Friday.