We’re just over half way through our short series, Royal Regalia: A History Of Splendour, looking at the stories and histories behind some of the world’s most famous crown jewels. Today, we look at a collection shroud in family spats and colonial controversy. 

The British Royal Family has always been subject to criticism and the history of their jewel collections are no different. From questions around ownership to some of the most impressive emeralds with a questionable backstory. Matthew and Alyce dive into the mysterious acquisitions of this collection, including the messy lineage of the royal family. They also reveal their favourite pieces and where you can see these fantastic royal jewels for yourself. 

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• The UK’s strained royal family lineage 
• The controversial origins of the British Royal Family collections 
• A mystery of emeralds and diamonds in the Queen’s negligee
• Queen Victoria’s sentimental heirloom worn by five different queens
• Where you can see the British royal regalia, or at least what we know of it  

MORE INFORMATION

Cullinan Diamonds

https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geology/cullinan-diamond.htm 

Prince Albert’s Brooch 

https://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2019/08/prince-alberts-brooch.html 

Social Media

• IG - @CourtvilleAntiques
• FB - @Courtvilleantiques
• Tik Tok - @matthew.weldon    
• YouTube - @courtvilleantique
• Pinterest - @courtville

 Gem Pursuit is produced for Courtville by Dustpod.io.

QUOTES

We have a lot to thank for the marriages that came into the British Royal Family. A lot of the marriages brought extremely wealthy women into the Kingdom, who brought their own jewels that were bequeathed to them from other royal families. - Alyce Ketcher 

The scepter holds the largest of the Cullinan diamonds, and the largest cut diamond in the world, 530 carats. The weight of these things as well is just incredible. - Alyce Ketcher 

The Scottish regalia is also a part of the British Royal Family. It's a little bit controversial, but does it really belong to the British Royal Family? - Alyce Ketcher

There's those pieces that in a way might even be more important to the people who get them because it's specific to them - Matthew Weldon

It is said that it's bad luck for any man to wear that diamond - Matthew Weldon 

I would say you're absolutely right, there are pieces that we don't see because it actually would just be too controversial. - Matthew Weldon 

I can imagine when you wear something like this, you would feel otherworldly. It is just a magnificent piece. - Alyce Ketcher 

KEYWORDS

#royalfamily #diamonds #crownjewels #emeralds #queenvictoria #royalregalia #jewellery