Katharine, Duchess of Kent - Diamond Floral brooch

Posted by Kongetro on September 12, 2025, 5:11 am

Going through images of the late Duchess and looking for information on her jewellery I came across a brooch that she seems to have worn quite regularly early in her marriage. At least I think it is the same brooch. The one I am thinking of was worn by the late Duchess for the official photographs released with her newborn daughter Lady Helen in 1964 (the first photo below). But then looking even further back she seems to have worn the same brooch for the official photographs released with her firstborn as well (second photo). Would you say that this is the same brooch? Kongetro To visit my website Regal Events use this link: https://regalevents913271078.wordpress.com/

Re: Katharine, Duchess of Kent - Diamond Floral brooch

Posted by mauriz on September 12, 2025, 1:16 pm, in reply to "Katharine, Duchess of Kent - Diamond Floral brooch"

Previous Message Would you say that this is the same brooch? Definitely! Here’s another photo from 1964 which shows the pearl in the centre more clearly. And another one from 1962.

Re: Katharine, Duchess of Kent - Diamond Floral brooch

Posted by Glenn on September 16, 2025, 11:36 am, in reply to "Re: Katharine, Duchess of Kent - Diamond Floral brooch"

Obviously Lady Helen Taylor read this board and then decided to wear her mother's brooch

Re: Katharine, Duchess of Kent - Diamond Floral brooch

Posted by Maureen on September 17, 2025, 9:58 am, in reply to "Re: Katharine, Duchess of Kent - Diamond Floral brooch"

Previous Message Obviously Lady Helen Taylor read this board and then decided to wear her mother's brooch It’s very possible.

Re: Katharine, Duchess of Kent - Diamond Floral brooch

Posted by Honor on September 17, 2025, 10:36 am, in reply to "Re: Katharine, Duchess of Kent - Diamond Floral brooch"

I believe Lady Helen was also wearing her mother’s engagement ring at the memorial events. It was visible on her hand at the reception ceremony for the arrival of the casket at Westminster Cathedral. Previous Message Obviously Lady Helen Taylor read this board and then decided to wear her mother's brooch

Re: Katharine, Duchess of Kent - Diamond Floral brooch

Posted by Kongetro on September 18, 2025, 5:34 am, in reply to "Re: Katharine, Duchess of Kent - Diamond Floral brooch"

Just imagine if that was true! Lady Helen wore it beautifully and it really stood out with the black background. A lovely brooch indeed. She actually looks a lot like her mother. Previous Message Obviously Lady Helen Taylor read this board and then decided to wear her mother's brooch Kongetro To visit my website Regal Events use this link: https://regalevents913271078.wordpress.com/

Re: Katharine, Duchess of Kent - Diamond Floral brooch

Posted by Kongetro on September 18, 2025, 5:36 am, in reply to "Re: Katharine, Duchess of Kent - Diamond Floral brooch"

Thank you for posting those lovely photos. So I think it is safe to say then that 1964 was not the first time this brooch was seen worn by the Duchess. Could it have been among the wedding presents she received when marrying the Duke of Kent? Previous Message Previous Message Would you say that this is the same brooch? Definitely! Here’s another photo from 1964 which shows the pearl in the centre more clearly. And another one from 1962. Kongetro To visit my website Regal Events use this link: https://regalevents913271078.wordpress.com/

Re: Katharine, Duchess of Kent - Diamond Floral brooch

Posted by Cynthia on September 18, 2025, 8:00 am, in reply to "Re: Katharine, Duchess of Kent - Diamond Floral brooch"

Re: Katharine, Duchess of Kent - Diamond Floral brooch

Posted by Kongetro on September 23, 2025, 6:35 am, in reply to "Re: Katharine, Duchess of Kent - Diamond Floral brooch"

I also had a look at the Royal-Magazine website and found an entry regarding this brooch. The brooch is rather a mystery, so if Lady Helen is reading this board maybe she could help us get to the bottom of this... If I understood the information correctly, on Royal-Magazine it says that this brooch belonged to Queen Mary and that it was used as a clasp for one of her bracelets. But I have also seen information "out there" on the net that the brooch was a gift to Princess Marina for launching a ship in 1954. And there is no agreement on when this brooch ended up with the late Duchess of Kent either. Some say that it was a gift to the Duchess on the birth of her daughter Lady Helen. Others say that it was inherited by the Duchess when her mother-in-law died in 1968. But if we have seen Katharine wearing this brooch both on the photos of the birth of her eldest son and that of her daughter two years later it doesn't really add up. Previous Message I was looking through Ursula's excellent site, but there isn't a separate page for Katharine's wedding presents (as far as I could tell). Definitely pages about Marina's wedding presents. I think most of Katharine's jewels were family pieces, with very few items purchased for her. The Kents experienced financial problems over the years... Kongetro To visit my website Regal Events use this link: https://regalevents913271078.wordpress.com/