Sunday Chic: A Cocktail Dress by Norman Hartnell, 1953

Dress
Norman Hartnell
1953
The Victoria & Albert Museum

This silk and wool faille lined with horsehair cocktail dress is embroidered with sequins and diamanté and was made by Norman Hartnell for Princess Margaret around the time of her sister’s coronation as Queen Elizabeth II.

Norman Hartnell was a favorite designer of both the Queen and her sister. He is best known as the couturier to the British royal family. Duriong the 1940s and 1950s, Hartness designed a colelction that Princess Margaret wore for her official duties.

He made this evening dress for her in a heavy black ribbed silk called grosgrain. He designed it specifically for the Princess's taste for clean lines with a minimum of decoration. In this case, only the shoulder straps are embroidered with silvered beads and diamantés, allowing the skirt to be the most important feature.

Mastery of Design: A Gold and Baroque Pearl Bracelet, 1968

Bracelet
John Donald, 1968
Gold and Baroque Pearls
The Victoria & Albert Museum

When Princess Margaret wasn’t drinking or making people cry, she liked to shop for clothes and jewels. She had her favorite designers. Among her favorite jewelers was John Donald whom we’ve discussed previously regarding his Honeycomb Pendant.
Donald John liked to play with natural shapes and create cutting-edge designs which were reminiscent of themes from everyday life. This bracelet of gold takes the form of a bird’s nest, set with baroque pearls of varying shades.

While this example from the V&A wasn’t made for Margaret Rose, she did have several bracelets by Donald and was a frequent visitor to his shop.

Sunday Morning Special: Queen Elizabeth II Shows the Imperial State Crown

Do you ever find yourself confused as to why there are so many crowns in the Crown Jewels of England? They each serve a purpose, but two are the most important—the Crown of St. Edward (worn only at the coronation) and the Imperial State Crown (worn at events thereafter).

Who better to tell us about the Crown than Queen Elizabeth II herself? This film was made shortly after the Queen’s coronation. She seems young and bright and interesting and wonderful. Not to correct Her Majesty, but she left out one thing. The Black Prince’s Ruby isn’t a ruby, it’s a spinel. But, we don’t fault her for not mentioning it.

Enjoy this interesting film. It’s quite a treat.

Painting of the Day: King George V with his Grandaughters, 1934-1935

King George V with His Granddaughters
Thomas Percy Earl, 1934-1935
The Royal Collection

King George V and Queen Mary loved, loved, loved their granddaughter Princess Elizabeth. Queen Mary often noted in her diary that she spent many happy hours with Princess Elizabeth. She never mentioned Margaret Rose. The king, too, adored his eldest granddaughter. And, he didn’t really like children too much. She called him, “Grandpa England,” and he often said that he hoped that nothing would come between “Bertie” (his son, the Duke of York) and “Lilibet” (his nickname for Bertie’s eldest daughter) and the throne. Not only was this a show of support for his second son and his granddaughter, but it was a clear statement that he didn’t think that his eldest boy, “David” would be a good king. “David” wasn’t a good king, and he wasn’t king long—thankfully. We all know about David’s abdication kerfuffle when, as King Edward VIII, he preferred Wallis Simpson over England.


After the abdication, Queen Mary was all the more involved with Elizabeth and often took comfort in the fact that her late husband adored the girl as well.

Before the King’s death in 193g, he sat for a portrait with the two young princesses. This painting by Thomas Percy Earl shows the King with his favorite horse and the two young girls on their ponies. They are guarded by a sturdy Scottie dog. This painting was created as a gift for Queen Mary. It was presented to Queen Mary by the wives and widows of members of the Jockey Club for the Silver Jubilee celebration on May 6, 1935.

Card of the Day: H.R.H. Princess Margaret Rose

Princess Margaret was cute when she was a little girl. It kind of stopped there. But, as an adult, she was considered one of the most fashionable women in the Royal Family. What else can I say about Margaret Rose? Not much. Really, she was quite mean. But, she had good taste in clothes and jewels.

Princess Margaret Rose liked her alcohol. And men. What else did she have to do? She was the heir presumptive. With her sister, Queen Elizabeth II, on the throne, she had to distract herself somehow.

In everything that I’ve read about Margaret, the common theme is that no one really liked her and that she had a lot of unpleasant things to say about almost everyone. I suppose that’s why no one liked her.

But, golly, she was a cute kid! So, there’s that. And…

Well, she was a cute kid.

Object of the Day: A Commemorative Cup and Saucer Featuring Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose, 1937

Cup and Saucer
1936-1937
The Royal Collection

When King Edward VIII abdicated the throne before his coronation (thank goodness—can you imagine what would have happened with this guy in power during World War II?), merchants and manufacturers rushed to create souvenirs for the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

Thankfully, the former Duke and Duchess of Yorknhad two very photogenic daughters who were the perfect subjects for souvenirs. This cup and saucer by Paragon China was produced in 1936 for the 1937 coronation. It uses a photo of Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II) with her sister, Princess Margaret Rose (now quite deceased) taken by Marcus Adams in 1934. The cup is made all the more darling by its modeled handle which takes the form of flowers.

Coming this Week at "Stalking the Belle Époque" and Punch's Cousin

An Emerald and Diamond Stomacher
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Am I the only one who loathes summer? Being overheated is one of the most abhorrent feelings in the world. Ugh. However, though the weather is boiling, we’re keeping cool at Stalking the Belle Époque with heaps of chilly jewels, bucolic paintings, icy objects and an assortment of other comforting things which will serve to blot out the blaring sunshine.

Punch’s Cousin will also continue next week as Mr. Punch battles both Nanny Rittenhouse and Julian’s memories of the horrible things she did to him. Furthermore, we’ll discover whether or nto Barbara Allen is really insane or if she’s got a clever plan in play. Marie Laveau will begin her strange attempts at revenge and Gerard will try to find his way within the confines of an honest life. Meanwhile, Ulrika has a bizarre new ally in Giovanni Iantosca. Will her expectations for this relationship be realized or his Giovanni still just a hideous beast? And, what about baby Colin? Will the child escape to England with Punch and Robert or will Edward Cage discover that his missing “son” is just up the street? There’s a lot in store next week for Mr. Punch and his friends.

Bertie and I will be taking a brief hiatus on Thursday and Friday while we take care of some pressing business, but we’ll be offering up our usual posts every other day this week. We’re looking forward to sharing a lot of great information with you. Here’s hoping all of you stay cool!