Saturday Sparkle: The Greater George Garter Badge

The Greater George
Garter Badge
Eighteenth Century, English
Diamonds, Sapphires, Rubies, Amethysts,
Silver and Gold
The Royal Collection

Queen Charlotte had her hands full with her husband, King George III. Perhaps this is why she preferred to stay by herself at Buckingham House (now Buckingham Palace) while George rattled around on his own. George had shown signs of mental decay for quite awhile before his rumored “madness.” Evidence of that is chronicled in an account from 1805 wherein George III became quite distressed before the annual Installation of the Knights of the Garter on St. George’s Day. You see, in 1804, King George III had asked that the important garter jewels be stored away for safekeeping. He wanted them to be so safe, in fact, that he had hidden them away himself. By 1805, he couldn’t remember what he’d done with them.


It seems, he should have asked his wife. The missing “Greater George” was found in 1819 upon the death of Queen Charlotte. George III had brought the jewels to Buckingham House for safekeeping—perhaps unbeknownst to his wife. This magnificent garter badge was found in a drawer in the Queen’s bedroom when her possessions were being inventoried for auction.

“The Greater George” is of unknown provenance, but most likely dates to the Eighteenth Century, having been made by an English jeweler. Clearly, the piece has been altered over time. It features a diamond-encrusted figure of St. George which is highlighted by rubies and sapphires. The impressive fleur-de-lis of large, brilliant-cut diamonds at the top is a later addition—added in an attempt to make the large piece a little less cumbersome to wear.

These days, The Greater George is guarded and its owners know exactly where it is.