Yesterday was the 120th Anniversary of the Birth of Lady May Abel Smith, who was born on this day in 1906! Queen Mary’s niece, who was born a Princess of Teck, and married an Army officer who served as Governor of Queensland, Lady May had a Diamond Spike Tiara as well as this versatile Diamond Chain Necklace!
But first, let’s learn about Lady May! Born Princess May of Teck, the daughter of Prince Alexander of Teck, great-grandson of King George III, and the former Princess Alice of Albany, granddaughter of Queen Victoria, she lost her German title in 1917, and became Lady May Cambridge when her father became the Earl of Athlone. In 1931, Lady May married Captain Henry Abel Smith, and the couple had three children. During the Second World War, Lady May and her children joined her parents in Canada, where her father was serving as the Governor General, and a decade later, she joined Sir Henry as he served as the Governor of Queensland between 1958 and 1966. The couple retired at Barton Lodge at Winkfield in 1975, with Sir Henry passing away in 1993, and Lady May a year later.
When Lady May Cambridge married Captain Henry Abel Smith in 1931, she received an Art Deco Diamond Chain and Pendant as a wedding gift from her uncle and aunt, King George V and Queen Mary, which was among the Jewels, including her Diamond Spike Tiara, displayed with the rest of the Wedding Gifts.
Lady May Abel Smith notably wore the Art Deco Diamond Chain with her Diamond Spike Tiara at the Coronation of her first cousin, King George VI, at Westminster Abbey in 1937.
The Diamond Necklace was also worn with the Diamond Spike Tiara by Lady May at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
When Sir Henry served as the 17th Governor of Queensland between 1958 and 1966, Lady May wore a shorter version of her Diamond Chain, for a series of portraits with the Diamond Spike Tiara.
The Diamond Chain has not been publicly worn since the 1950s, but since it has not been auctioned like Princess Alice’s Diamond Palmette Tiara, it likely remains with Lady May’s children, like the Teck Ears of Wheat Tiara.
Lady May Abel Smith’s Diamond Tiara
Diamond Necklace
Princess Alice’s Diamond Palmette Tiara
Teck Ears of Wheat Tiara
Princess Alice’s Pearl and Diamond Tiara
Teck Sapphire Stomacher
Princess Alice’s Pearl Corsage Brooch
Cambridge Pearl Pendant Brooch
Duchess of Gloucester’s Pendant Earrings
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