But I see most of these jewels as private and personal property of each royal. I feel sure the hoop diamond necklace was the private property of Princess Margaret.
[The majority of the jewels in the QD are the private property of the private person who happens to also have a very public life as the Queen.]
I do believe that we place far too much royal connection emphasis on jewels as though it inhibits members of that family to give away their own property as they wish. We might feel distress at some dispersals but we have to live with that.
I don't believe the Royal Collection holds very many former private jewels anyway - I mean jewellery we have seen worn over the last 5 to 6 reigns.
Things get lent to the Royal Collection for exhibitions.
And each "heirloom of the crown" as Roberts called some items, is not in the Royal Collection either. "Heirloom of the crown" is a third category.
If we as private people had the wide world poring over our private poperty to the same extent we would be appalled.
--Previous Message-- : My comment meant to imply that, unless : protected by a "must be returned" : ruling, Viscount Linley would have sold the : piece. He sold a lot of things with serious : provenance, like the collet necklace. I : would say that he has been allowed to retain : it for use of his family but it remains the : property of the royal collection. This would : also protect it if his marriage was to : founder.