20th November 1947
Reflecting the fact that our beloved and respected monarch celebrated her Platinum Wedding Anniversary last year and today is their 71st anniversary, here are some stories around the event.
Philip did not have the kind of money needed for an engagement ring, but his mother came to the rescue. Alice had kept two tiaras and after a family discussion, it was decided that one of the tiaras would be dismantled to make the engagement ring and a bracelet that Philip would give to Princess Elizabeth as a wedding present. The second tiara, the Meander Tiara, would be Alice’s wedding gift to Elizabeth. wedding tiaras
Alice took the tiara to be dismantled to the jeweler Philip Antrobus Limited at 6 Old Bond Street in London where Princess Elizabeth’s platinum engagement ring was set with eleven diamonds in a design that Elizabeth and Philip had chosen together. The central stone is about three carats and is surrounded by five small diamonds on either side.
NB. I have been unable to find any photos of Princess Elizabeth wearing the tiara but several of Princess Anne, as well as then her daughter on her wedding day.
(Courtesy of unofficialroyalty.com with addition)
Photos - Top left - the young couple after their engagement was officially announced, top right - the engagement ring, bottom left - the Meander Tiara, bottom middle - Princess Alice wearing the tiara when younger, bottom right - her great-granddaughter, Zara wearing it as her 'borrowed' on her wedding day in 2011, inset one - the bracelet given to Princess Elizabeth.
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