Posted by Nellie on July 17, 2014, 8:15 am, in reply to "Re: M "
Ah yes Arthur. You have identified a couple of classic pieces of writing. There could be issues within the family that could be embarrassing today if they were picked over in every detail by the likes of us. I do like to remind myself that we are discussing individual people's private and very personal property in so many instances. The Queen has been gracious indeed giving permission for even the QD to be published.
--Previous Message-- : You are right, Nellie, I have noticed that : too! Roberts was sometimes very cautious at : using words which give information... but : not too much! : : For example, when he writes (page 182) that : Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara " was : worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, following : her marriage in 1981 ", he mentions a : fact that everyone knows, but without giving : any details about the actual ownership of : the tiara (was it given, or only loaned, to : Diana? Therefore, is it currently the : Queen's or Prince William's belonging?). : This is a very diplomatic : "half-silence" on a topic which : could be a bit tacky... : : Or when he mentions (page 166) that the : large oval openwork diamond brooch worn by : Queen Mary at the 1937 Coronation was " : later disposed of ", without giving : further detail about which way, when, and in : favour of whom it was disposed of... : : : : --Previous Message-- : : I believe Roberts was very tactful and : diplomatic in many places in the book. : : : --Previous Message-- : I wish too that Roberts had been sometimes : more precise. He gives more details about : alterations on other jewels (for example, he : reveals that the frame of the Vladimir Tiara : was completely remade by Garrard in 1988), : but not about the Durbar tiara. : : The explanation for this could might be : that, as the Durbar Tiara remained in : Queen-Mother Elizabeth's possession until : her death in 2002, the repairs and : alterations were not registered in the Royal : Collection's database. Just a suggestion. : : : --Previous Message-- : Thank you Nellie. I can see from your photos : that I was totally mistaken. : Arthur, I apologise for my question. It : highlights my ignorance of how the tiara : existed during various periods. : I look forward to seeing if anyone has more : information about when and why the tiara was : initially altered prior to the time of Queen : Elizabeth. Perhaps Queen Mary made the : alterations as the information in Robert's : book shows it was not given to QEQM with the : emeralds, but I wish he had outlined : precisely when other major changes occurred. : : : : : : :