Gifts of Grandeur: Queen Victoria's Engagement Bracelet, 1839

Queen Victoria's Engagement Bracelet
November, 1839
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection 
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

This gold bracelet is constructed of flat, tapering links—each engraved with tendrils and volutes. The centerpiece consists of a lovely amethyst which has been carved as a double heart. Behind this is a glass locket—now empty—which is engraved with a V monogram and the date: 23 Nov. 1939.

This attractive bauble was one of several elegant and costly engagement gifts given to Queen Victoria(1819-1901) upon the announcement to the Privy Council of her impending marriage to Prince Albert in 1839. The bracelet was given to the Queen by The Duchess of Kent, Her Majesty’s mother with whom she had, at best, a rather rocky relationship. 

Upon the Queen’s 1901 death, at her previous request, this bracelet was one of a group of jewels which was put on display in the “Albert Room” at Windsor Castle. This was the room in which Prince Albert had died in 1861. Victoria insisted that the room remain untouched and just as he left it—and, so it did until her own death. After Queen Victoria’s death, the group of jewels which she had specified be displayed in the Albert Room were to remain there and, she insisted, not passed on to her family. 

Gifts of Grandeur: The Edmund Ware Ring, 1912

Click on image to enlarge.
Engagement Ring
Edmund Ware
London, 1912
This and all related images from
The Victoria & Albert Museum

The work of British designer Edmund Ware (1883-1960) in 1912, this fantastic gold ring is bezel-set with a cabochon sapphire which is flanked by six brilliant-cut diamonds. Each diamond is presented in a separate, raised collet. The shoulders of the ring are adorned with tracery.

Aside from being an exceptional piece of jewelry and indicative of Ware’s designs, this ring has special significance, especially for Ware himself. Ware designed the ring as an engagement present for his future bride. There are no records which note her reaction to the gift, but I’d bet she was quite happy with it.

Antique Image of the Day: The Engagement Photo of TRH Queen Elizabeth II and the of Edinburgh, 1947

Engagement of Her Royal Highness the Princess Elizabeth
to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten
July 10, 1947
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Taken on July 10, 1947, by a now unknown photographer, this is one of the official engagement photos from the announcement of the impending marriage of then-Princess Elizabeth to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten at Buckingham Palace.

On the day that the engagement of the future Queen Elizabeth II and future Duke of Edinburgh was announced, the Royal Family invited press photographers to Buckingham Palace to take photos of the couple. As is the custom, the bride-to-be clasped her hands in such a manner as to modestly display the engagement ring which Prince Philip had given her. The ring was made by the jewelers of Philip Antrobus Ltd,, and was created from diamonds which were taken from a tiara belonging to Prince Philip’s mother.

Just for fun, here's a picture of Her Majesty's ring.

Click on image to enlarge

The Engagement Ring of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
The platinum ring is set with a three carat solitaire flanked on each side
by five smaller brilliant-cuts.
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Mastery of Design: The Edmund Ware Ring, 1912

Click on image to enlarge.
Engagement Ring
Edmund Ware
London, 1912
This and all related images from
The Victoria & Albert Museum

The work of British designer Edmund Ware (1883-1960) in 1912, this fantastic gold ring is bezel-set with a cabochon sapphire which is flanked by six brilliant-cut diamonds. Each diamond is presented in a separate, raised collet. The shoulders of the ring are adorned with tracery.

Aside from being an exceptional piece of jewelry and indicative of Ware’s designs, this ring has special significance, especially for Ware himself. Ware designed the ring as an engagement present for his future bride. There are no records which note her reaction to the gift, but I’d bet she was quite happy with it.

Gifts of Grandeur: Queen Victoria's Engagement Bracelet, 1839

Queen Victoria's Engagement Bracelet
November, 1839
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

This gold bracelet is constructed of flat, tapering links—each engraved with tendrils and volutes. The centerpiece consists of a lovely amethyst which has been carved as a double heart. Behind this is a glass locket—now empty—which is engraved with a V monogram and the date: 23 Nov. 1939.

This attractive bauble was one of several elegant and costly engagement gifts given to Queen Victoria(1819-1901) upon the announcement to the Privy Council of her impending marriage to Prince Albert in 1839. The bracelet was given to the Queen by The Duchess of Kent, Her Majesty’s mother with whom she had, at best, a rather rocky relationship. 

Upon the Queen’s 1901 death, at her previous request, this bracelet was one of a group of jewels which was put on display in the “Albert Room” at Windsor Castle. This was the room in which Prince Albert had died in 1861. Victoria insisted that the room remain untouched and just as he left it—and, so it did until her own death. After Queen Victoria’s death, the group of jewels which she had specified be displayed in the Albert Room were to remain there and, she insisted, not passed on to her family. 

Antique Image of the Day: The Engagement Photo of TRH Queen Elizabeth II and the of Edinburgh, 1947

Engagement of Her Royal Highness the Princess Elizabeth
to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten
July 10, 1947
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Taken on July 10, 1947, by a now unknown photographer, this is one of the official engagement photos from the announcement of the impending marriage of then-Princess Elizabeth to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten at Buckingham Palace.

On the day that the engagement of the future Queen Elizabeth II and future Duke of Edinburgh was announced, the Royal Family invited press photographers to Buckingham Palace to take photos of the couple. As is the custom, the bride-to-be clasped her hands in such a manner as to modestly display the engagement ring which Prince Philip had given her. The ring was made by the jewelers of Philip Antrobus Ltd,, and was created from diamonds which were taken from a tiara belonging to Prince Philip’s mother.

Just for fun, here's a picture of Her Majesty's ring.

Click on image to enlarge

The Engagement Ring of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
The platinum ring is set with a three carat solitaire flanked on each side
by five smaller brilliant-cuts.
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II