Happy Birthday to Emma Manners, 11th Duchess of Rutland! After over a quarter of a century since taking on the mantle, the 11th Duchess finally wore the magnificent heirloom Diamond Rivière of the Manners Family at her daughter’s Wedding a few months ago!
Rutland Tiara | Diamond Rivière
A magnificent Diamond Rivière which has been in the Manners Family since the 18th century, it has often been worn with a large Diamond Cross Pendant, which is a similar heirloom to several in British Aristocratic Families.
The 7th Duchess of Rutland, was pictured wearing the Diamond Rivière with the Diamond Cross Pendan along with the family tiara in a portrait and in a painting during the 1880s and 1890s.
Incredibly grand, a very high Tiara, with flowers emblematic of marriage, with a big diamond necklace, pendant cross and pearls.
In 1935, the 9th Duchess of Rutland wore the Diamond Rivière for a Dinner with the Duke of Kent at Claridges Hotel in aid of the Clarke Hall Fellowship, for the development of the Juvenile Court and Probation Service.
Kathleen, the 9th Duchess also wore the Diamond Rivière with the Tiara for the Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at Westminster Abbey in 1937, where she was one of the Canopy Bearers for the Queen, along with three other Duchesses, during the Coronation Ceremony.
The 9th Duchess was also pictured wearing the Diamond Rivière with the Rutland Tiara for a Gala Performance at Covent Garden during the French State Visit to Britain in 1939, shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War. In her autobiography The Girl with the Widows Peak, the 9th Duchess’ elder daughter; Lady Ursula D’Abo described how she saved the Tiara during the Blitz:
After my narrow escape in the blitz with Duff and Diana at the Dorchester, I rang my mother and said I’d better collect all the family valuables I could from banks and jewellery shops. My Mother had really no idea of what was happening in the capital and said: ‘Don’t be silly, London is the safest place to be!’ It was typical of the lack of communication there was in England at that time. I was desperate to get home and Lord Beaverbrook, whom I knew well, helped arrange some transport. I headed off to Carrington’s in Regent Street to see my lovely old Mr Hughes, who looked after our family jewels, to rescue things and take them back to Belvoir. When I arrived home with the family tiara on my knee my Mother was surprised.”
The then Dowager Duchess was also photographed wearing the Rivière with the Tiara at a Gala in 1959, possibly another Gala Performance at Covent Garden.
The Rutland Tiara and Diamond Rivière were next worn by Frances, the 10th Duchess of Rutland, daughter of the infamous Margret, Duchess of Argyll, who notably wore it at the coming out Ball of her husbands niece, Lindy Guinness (later Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava), at Belvoir Castle in 1958.
The Rivière and Tiara were also worn by the 10th Duchess at the State Opening of Parliament in 1960.
The 10th Duchess also wore the Tiara and Diamond Rivière for a Dinner at Britwell House, home of Lady Pamela and David Hicks, ahead of a Ball at Luton Hoo, alongside Prince Tomislav and Princess Margarita of Yugoslavia (wearing her Turquoise Tiara), the Earl and Countess of Dalkeith (in the Buccleuch Turquoise Tiara), and Lady Pamela (wearing the Mountbatten Tiara) and David Hicks.
Most recently, the 11th Duchess of Rutland wore Diamond Rivière for the first time for the Wedding of her eldest daughter, Lady Violet Manners, to Viscount Garnock at Belvoir Castle in June. The Duchess had initially paired the Rivière with a pair of heirloom Diamond Earrings, which were later replaced with a pair of pearl earrings.
While the Diamond Rivière was still at Belvoir Castle, it was also worn by Lady Eliza Manners, the youngest daughter of the 11th Duke and Duchess. Lets hope we will see the Diamond Rivière worn again soon!
Rutland Tiara | Diamond Rivière
Devonshire Diamond Palmette Tiara
Devonshire Tiara
Devonshire Diamond Rivière
Ruby Clasp
Wellington Tiara
Diamond Floral Tiara
Diamond Earrings
Diamond Tassel Earrings
Von Preussen Tiara
Strawberry Leaf Coronet
Diamond Tiara
Foliate Tiara
Bagration Spinel Tiara
Rosebery Tiara
Diamond Necklace
Westminster Myrtle Wreath Tiara
Diamond Fringe Tiara
Duchess of Buccleuch’s Tiaras
Northumberland Tiara
Duchess of Sutherland’s Tiara
Duchess of Bedford’s Tiaras
Marlborough Tiara
Portland Tiara
Duchess of Norfolk’s Sapphire Necklace
Rutland Tiara
Argyll Tiara
Manchester Tiara
Dufferin Tiara
Bath Tiara
Milford Haven Ruby Kokoshnik
Londonderry Tiara
Londonderry Amethyst Parure
Londonderry Pearl Parure
Londonderry Turquoise Parure
Londonderry Diamond Stomacher
Londonderry Emerald Parure
The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara
Vladimir Tiara
Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara
Belgian Sapphire Tiara
Burmese Ruby Tiara
Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara
Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara
Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara
Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara
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