Antique Tiaras and Brooches have been loaned from Bentley & Skinner alongside striking Tiaras created by Andrew Prince for the Countess of Grantham, Marchioness of Hexham and Lady Mary Crawley in ‘Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale’, which is out in Theatres today, which follows six seasons and two films!
After six seasons and two films, the cast of ‘Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale’ wore antique Tiaras and Brooches loaned from Bentley & Skinner alongside striking Tiaras created by Andrew Prince.
For the grand Ball, Lady Mary paired her spectacular scarlet gown with an early-20th century Diamond-Set Tiara on loan from Bentley & Skinner.
A regal early-20th century diamond-set tiara. In the heart of this radiant tiara lies a blossoming diamond flower, adorned with seven resplendent rows of diamonds gracefully culminating in a brilliant round diamond. Adorning its sides are cascading scrolls and delicate floral motifs, weaving together to craft a sublime and inherently feminine design. Dating back to the 1930s, this tiara exudes versatility, transforming into equally enchanting earrings and a necklace, embodying timeless elegance in its every facet.
Lady Mary also wore a pair of Art Deco Fan-Shaped Diamond-Set Double Clip Brooches, which were also on loan from Bentley & Skinner.
An incredible Art Deco fan-shaped diamond-set double clip brooch. The brooch features two meticulously crafted clips arranged in a geometric design, embellished with scroll decorations and adorned with old cut diamonds. Set in platinum, the design minimizes visible metal, maximizing the brilliance of the dazzling diamonds. Reflecting the modern allure of the 1930s, these geometric shapes define its aesthetic charm.
The Countess of Grantham wore this magnificent Belle Époque Diamond Tiara from Bentley & Skinner for the Ball scene.
A stunning tiara featuring a beautiful foliate design throughout. Edwardian jewellery is known for the use of platinum to create delicate patterns set with diamonds. The use of this material revolutionised the jewellery world, and pieces became dainty, detailed and more feminine. This tiara perfectly exemplifies this, with its fluid frame and exquisite design. The diamonds sparkle beautifully, and the old cut diamonds at the top only serve to compliment the flora beneath. This tiara undoubtedly reflects the refined tastes of high society, and indeed, of the glamorous era in which it was made. This tiara would be perfect paired with an evening gown, or even for a bride on her wedding day.
The Marchioness of Hexham wore a Diamond-Set Fringe Tiara from Bentley & Skinner, dating from the turn of the 20th century.
This gorgeous tiara is a perfect example of Edwardian craftsmanship, with its interlocking openwork geometric scrolls, intricately set with glimmering old and European cut diamonds. This tiara has an airy, lace-like quality and perfectly reflects the glamourous time in which it was made. With its timeless elegance and historical charm, this tiara offers a glimpse into the world of European high society at the dawn of the 20th century, and would be perfect paired with an evening gown, or even for a bride on her wedding day.
Thus striking pear-shaped and Palmette Tiara by Andrew Prince was worn by the Countess of Grantham for the final Dinner in the film and was previously worn in the Season 4 Christmas Special and for the Royal Dinner in the first Downton film.
The striking asymmetrical Andrew Prince Bandeau worn by Lady Mary for the Dinner was previously seen in the Season 4 Christmas Special.
The Earrings appear to be recreations of the Queen Mother’s Sapphire Fringe Earrings which are now worn by the Princess of Wales.
The Marchioness of Hexham also wears an Andrew Prince Bandeau, which was also worn by Lady Mary in the Season 4 Christmas Special, paired with an Aquamarine and Diamond Brooch by Hennell on loan from Bentley & Skinner.
A marvellous Art Deco brooch featuring two sky blue aquamarines of impressive carat sizes, surrounded by shimmering diamonds in a scroll design frame. This piece was made and signed by Hennell, the prominent jeweller known for their impressive Art Deco pieces made in the 1920s and 1930s.The beauty of this brooch lies in its versatility. The scintillating diamond-set runs add length to this statement piece but can be removed along with the smaller emerald-cut aquamarine at the wearer’s choice. The larger aquamarine can then be worn as a more subtle brooch, and the smaller aquamarine can be transformed into a beautiful ring to compliment. This is a truly one-of-a kind piece and can be worn for multiple looks and is sure to catch the eye whichever way it is worn.
The Countess of Grantham also wore an Edwardian pink topaz and diamond brooch-pendant, another on loan from Bentley & Skinner, which was specially housed in an original Skinner & Co. box.
A beautiful brooch-pendant. This attractive brooch features a blush pink topaz at its centre, weighing an impressive 7.3 carats, surrounded by scintillating diamonds which glimmer romantically in the light. The floral wreath between the diamond frames further adds femininity, and the cool diamonds contrast wonderfully with the eye-catching topaz. This brooch can also be worn as an arresting pendant, and would look marvellous against black or with a beautiful evening dress for a special event. Made in around 1900 at the beginning of the Edwardian period, this brooch is detailed and elegant in its design. A truly spectacular brooch-pendant.
Lady Mary also wore this delicate Briolette-Cut Diamond Spectacle Chain Necklace from Bentley & Skinner for a poignant scene.
A delicate and feminine necklace featuring scintillating briolette-cut diamonds. This necklace is light and airy, like a river of diamonds around the neck which sparkle beautifully when worn. This dainty necklace would look perfect with an elegant evening dress for a special occasion and would look just as striking with a dark blazer or turtleneck. A wonderful necklace.
A set of Stars were worn by the Marchioness of Hexham along with a Victorian twelve-prong Diamond Star Brooch from Bentley & Skinner.
A special emphasis has been made on the delicate gold and seed pearl brooch Lady Mary wears in several scenes, which was an heirloom from the Dowager Countess and emphasizes her presence and support. The Brooch was also worn by Lady Mary for the funeral scene at the end of the second film.
The Countess of Grantham, played by Elizabeth McGovern, wore a striking Victorian Pearl and Diamond Tiara, which was debuted in Season 1 and continued to be worn through the series until the Season 6 Christmas Special. This piece is one of two which seem to have been portrayed as family heirlooms and are period appropriate for an Aristocratic Family of that age and stature, continuing to be worn through the series.
From Season 3, the Countess of Grantham began wearing a Pearl and Diamond bandeau Tiara created by Andrew Prince, which was also worn in Season 4.
A striking pear-shaped and Palmette Tiara by Andrew Prince was worn by the Countess in the Season 4 Christmas Special and for the Royal Dinner in the first Downton film, and also promises to make an appearance in the upcoming film.
In Season 4, the Countess also wore this late Edwardian Tiara by Andrew Prince for her Anniversary Dinner and later an At-Home during the Season 4 Christmas Special.
In addition to the diamond star Tiara worn in the Season 3 Christmas special, the Countess also wore striking larger Tiaras, likely also created by Andrew Prince for the Court Presentation and the Ball at Grantham House for the Season 4 Christmas Special.
In the first Downton Film, the Countess wore an antique Diamond Tiara from Bentley & Skinner for the big Ball at Harewood House.
Throughout the series, the Dowager Countess, played by the legendary Dame Maggie Smith, wore a striking Diamond Tiara, which is likely a paste piece from the George III era. The Tiara had been worn by the Countess, Cora, in season one, but was regularly worn by the Dowager Countess through the end of season six.
The Dowager usually paired the Tiara with one of two diamond chokers, a pearl and diamond necklace, and a long paste diamond chain.
The Dowager Countess did wear some other Tiaras over the series, including an Andrew Prince piece in Season 4, two antique Diamond Tiaras in the Season 4 Christmas Special, and a striking Diamond Tiara from Bentley & Skinner in the first Downton Film, almost always paired with the same necklaces to portray a sense of continuity.
While no Tiaras were worn for the first two seasons, Lady Mary, portrayed by Michelle Dockery, wore the striking Diamond Floral Tiara on loan from Bentley & Skinner for her Wedding to Mathew Crawley at the start of Season 3, which was also worn for Lady Edith’s failed wedding later that season. The Tiara reportedly originated from Princess Louise, Duchess of Fife.
Lady Mary wore a series of petit diamond bandeaus created by Andrew Prince from Season 3 onwards to the first Downton film, including a larger bandeau worn for the Ball in season 4.
Lady Mary wore a Diamond Floral Bandeau at the end of the Season 3 which was also worn for a couple of occasions in Season 4, alongside a striking Georgian paste bandeau.
Unmarried for most of the series, the character of Lady Edith did not wear many grand jewels, with the exception of an antique diamond necklace in Season 3, an Andrew Prince floral Tiara in the Season 4 finale, and a diamond bandeau in the Season 5 finale, while the two headpieces worn for her Wedding in season 6 were both costume pieces.
In the first Downton film, Lady Edith, as Marchioness of Hexham, wore a Pearl Bandeau and Star Tiara from Andrew Prince and also an antique Diamond Tiara on loan from Bentley & Skinner for the grand Ball at Harewood House.
In Season 3 and 4, Lady Rose MacClare, played by Lily James, wore a delicate Diamond Leaf Bandeau Tiara, which was also worn by the Countess of Grantham in the Season 5 Christmas Special.
Lady Rose MacClare wore this Diamond Trellis Bandeau in Season 3 and 4, which was later worn by Lady Edith in the Season 5 Christmas Special.
Lady Rose’s mother, the Marchioness of Flintshire, wore a Diamond Fringe Tiara on two occasions during the Crawley’s stay at Duneagle Castle in Scotland.
In the Season 4 Christmas Special, the character playing Freda Dudley-Ward, the mistress of the Prince of Wales, wore a Diamond Tiara from Andrew Prince which is identical to the Tiara of Countess Karin Bernadotte.
For the Royal Visit to Downton Abbey in the first Downton Film, the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara and Vladimir Tiara were recreated for Queen Mary, while the Harewood Fringe Tiara was made for Princess Mary.
In the second Downton Film, Lucy Smith wore this Pearl and Diamond Tiara on loan from Bentley & Skinner for her wedding to Tom Branson, which were displayed in the window of the Bentley & Skinner shop in the summer of 2022.
We will have an article on just the jewels of the upcoming film in a few days!
The Jewels of the Dollar Princesses
The Jewels of the Gilded Age
Queen Mary’s Crown
George IV State Diadem
Queen Victoria’s Regal Circlet 
Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara
Vladimir Tiara
Delhi Durbar Tiara
Cambridge Emerald Parure
Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara
Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara
Queen Adelaide’s Fringe Tiara
Gloucester Honeysuckle Tiara
Cambridge Sapphire Parure
Teck Turquoise Tiara
Iveagh Tiara
Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara
Maria Feodorovna’s Sapphire Bandeau
Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau
Crochet Bandeau Tiara
Diamond Bandeau Tiara
Queen Mary’s Amethyst Tiara
Queen Mary’s Ladies of England Tiara
Queen Mary’s Surrey Fringe Tiara
Follow