Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee Necklace

In 1887, Queen Victoria celebrated her Golden Jubilee. A group of aristocratic women, led by the Countess of Stratford, joined together to create ‘The women’s Jubilee Offering’. The purpose was to present the Queen with a special gift to commemorate the milestone. With the Queens consent, they began collecting funds for a replica of Carlo Marochetti’s equestrian statue of Prince Albert, which was to be created by J.E. Boehm at a cost of £10,000.

By March 1888, the committee had raised just over £84,000 – a considerable amount more than their target. At first the Queen agreed that the remaining money (£70,000) be donated to St Katherine’s Fund for Nurses, a charity she selected herself. However, she soon changed her mind when some members of The Women’s Jubilee Offering suggested that part of the money should be used to buy another, more personal, gift for the Queen.

While Victoria agreed to the suggestion, some members of the committee disagreed with the idea of a personal gift as a commitment had already been made to donate all of the funds to charity. After many discussions and a lot of disagreements, a piece of jewellery was decided, but what kind of jewellery was another matter.

Garrard offered a pearl necklace for £14,000, however it was deemed too expensive and the offer was soon rejected. The Marquess of Salisbury- whose wife was a member of the committee and whose advice was sought – was firmly against the idea and blamed the interference of the Countess of Cork and her friends on the committee for the the ‘pearl necklace affair’, describing them as ‘miracles of bad management’.

Another suggestion was a diamond-set badge commemorating the connection with the nursing fund. However, Victoria hated the idea, writing “The Queen wd. not like this at all” and that if she received it, “she will at once exchange it for another jewel”.

Eventually, £5,000 was set aside for a personal ornament, while the rest was given to the Queens selected charity. The final gold, diamond and pearl necklace was designed and made by Carrington & Co, who also designed a pair of earrings.

At Osborne House, on 30th July 1888, the Duchess of Buccleuch presented the set to Queen Victoria in a red leather presentation box. Inscribed on the box was a message that reads: ‘To Victoria Queen & Empress A Token of Love & Loyalty from the Daughters of Her Empire in remembrance of Her Jubilee June 21st 1887’

The necklace became one of Victoria’s favourites and was later designated as an heirloom of the crown. In 1952, the necklace was inherited by Queen Elizabeth Il, who wore the necklace on many occasions throughout her reign, including on overseas tours and the State Opening of Parliament.

©️ Queen.Victoria.Roses 2024 / Shannon McInulty

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