Princess Diana was renowned for her elegant sense of style and some of her most iconic looks featured stunning choker necklaces. One of her most famous chokers was an art deco emerald and diamond choker that she wore on numerous occasions throughout her time in the public eye. This dazzling choker underwent quite a dramatic journey over the years. Here is the story behind what happened to Princess Diana’s iconic emerald choker.
The Origins of the Choker
The emerald and diamond choker was commissioned in the 1920s by the Queen Mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, who later became known as the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. It was created by the famous French jewelry house Boucheron and featured a row of cushion cut emeralds surrounded by diamonds set in platinum. At the time, it was worn as a bandeau headpiece rather than a choker.
The Queen Mother wore the piece on numerous occasions during the 1920s and 1930s. However, once she became Queen and consort to King George VI in 1936, the opulent Art Deco design felt outdated. The royal style was shifting towards more understated and feminine pieces created by Cartier.
So, in 1952, the Queen Mother took the bandeau to Garrard jewellers to be reworked into a choker necklace. The transforming necklace now perfectly suited her new role as Queen Mother.
The Choker is Passed Down to Princess Diana
When the Queen Mother died in 2002 at the age of 101, the emerald choker was passed down to her granddaughter-in-law, Princess Diana. The Queen Mother left most of her jewelry collection to her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II. However, she bequeathed a few special vintage pieces to the younger generation of royal women.
Princess Diana first wore the choker publicly in 1987 during a state visit from Spain’s King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia. She paired the standout necklace with a green velvet and tulle ballgown designed by Catherine Walker. The striking emerald green hue was perfectly matched to the gown.
Diana went on to wear the choker on several other occasions over the next decade. It suited her youthful sense of style and vivid outfits. She often wore it backwards as a headband in her hair, echoing the original bandeau design from the 1920s.
The Choker After Princess Diana’s Death
After Princess Diana tragically passed away in 1997, the iconic choker necklace went back to the private jewelry collection of the Queen Mother. It was seen publicly on one final occasion at the Queen Mother’s 101st birthday celebrations in 2001.
When the Queen Mother died the next year, it was unclear initially what happened to the emerald choker along with the rest of her lavish jewelry collection. Many speculated that the necklace may have been reworked into a new piece or returned to the royal vaults for safe keeping.
The Mystery of the Missing Choker
In 2015, almost 20 years after Diana’s death, the emerald choker mysteriously appeared back in the public eye. Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, wore the necklace during a visit to the National Portrait Gallery. It was the first time the iconic choker had been seen since Diana.
Kate paired the vintage piece with a green lace dress by Temperley London. The look sparked headlines and speculation around the world about the reemergence of the choker. Where had it been all those years? And how did Kate get her hands on it?
It turned out that after the Queen Mother passed away, the choker was gifted to Kate by Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen has access to private royal vaults that contain jewels passed down through generations of royals. She selected the emerald choker from the collection to give to Kate, knowing how much her grandson William’s wife reminded people of his late mother Diana.
The Continuing Legacy of the Choker
Kate has gone on to wear Diana’s emerald choker on many occasions over the past few years. She often uses it as a hairband just as Diana styled it in the 1990s. It has become one of Kate’s most frequently worn statement pieces for formal events.
Each time Kate wears the choker, it reminds people of Princess Diana and her enduring legacy as a fashion icon. It is a beautiful heirloom that links Diana and Kate as stylish women who married princes.
Kate will no doubt continue to keep Diana’s memory alive by wearing the choker for years to come. She seems to have fully adopted the exquisite emerald and diamond piece into her own royal jewelry collection now. It is wonderful to see such an iconic accessory live on in a new generation of princess style.
Key Facts About the Emerald Choker Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1920s | The choker is commissioned by the Queen Mother as an emerald and diamond bandeau headpiece |
| 1936 | The Queen Mother becomes Queen and consort to King George VI |
| 1952 | The bandeau is transformed into a choker necklace by Garrard jewellers |
| 1987 | Princess Diana first wears the choker publicly during a state visit |
| 2002 | Queen Mother dies and the choker returns to the royal vaults |
| 2015 | Kate Middleton wears the emerald choker in public for the first time |
Conclusion
Princess Diana’s emerald and diamond choker has undergone quite a journey, passing between generations of royal women over the past century. Commissioned in the 1920s, remodeled in the 1950s, and worn by both Princess Diana and Kate Middleton, this iconic jewelry piece has a rich history and association with style and royalty.
After being gifted to Kate by Queen Elizabeth II, the choker seems to have found a permanent new home as part of the Duchess of Cambridge’s collection. We can look forward to seeing Kate keep Princess Diana’s memory alive by wearing this elegant vintage accessory for formal occasions in the coming years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who originally owned Princess Diana’s emerald choker?
The emerald and diamond choker was originally commissioned in the 1920s by the Queen Mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, who later became Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
What did the choker look like originally?
When it was first made, the piece was designed as an emerald and diamond bandeau headpiece rather than a choker necklace.
When did the choker become a necklace?
In 1952, the Queen Mother had the bandeau transformed into a choker necklace by Garrard jewellers in order to better suit her new royal role as Queen consort.
Who wore the choker after Princess Diana died?
After Diana’s death in 1997, the Queen Mother wore the choker one final time in 2001. It then went back into the royal vaults until being gifted to Kate Middleton by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015.
Why did Kate Middleton start wearing Princess Diana’s choker?
Queen Elizabeth II gifted the emerald choker to Kate Middleton knowing how much she reminded people of Princess Diana. Kate has gone on to wear it regularly as a tribute to her late mother-in-law.
References
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