It’s been 25 years since Princess Diana’s tragic death and she still remains one of the foremost style icons of the world.
Princess Diana wore jewellery in a unique way, knowing exactly how to make each piece in her collection stand out, but did you know that one of her fashion statements was actually an accident?
Fine jewellery and engagement ring experts at Steven Stone have revealed everything you need to know about the jewellery mishap that labelled Princess Diana a trendsetter.
Princess Diana’s art deco diamond-and-emerald choker was a wedding gift from Queen Elizabeth II. This enviable piece of jewellery was a gift to Queen Mary by the Delhi Durbar during her visit with King George to India on December 12, 1911.
This gift was given to commemorate the succession of the Emperor of India during the British Reign in India.
Whilst designed to be worn as a necklace, Princess Diana often worn this sensational choker as a headband. The trend-setting Princess was last seen wearing her stunning diamond-and-emerald choker during a low-key gala celebration to mark her 36th birthday at London’s Tate Gallery on 1st July 1997.
The royal paired this spectacular choker with a stellar Jacques Azagury black floor-length beaded gown which she received as a gift from the fashion designer that morning.
Despite the headband looking fabulous, Royal biographer Kitty Kelley claimed in her book ‘The Royals’ that the fashion statement was actually an accident, as in a rush, Diana tried to put the choker over her head, rather than wait for someone to help her clasp it. When it got stuck and wouldn’t go over her nose, Canadian diplomat Victor Chapman convinced her to wear it as a headpiece instead.
Though one of Diana’s most iconic and creative fashion moments, it’s said that the Queen was frustrated by how the Princess wore the royal heirloom. Having originally belonged to Queen Mary, the Queen passed the art deco choker on to Diana when she joined the royal family.
“When it came to wearing jewellery, Princess Diana knew exactly how to make each piece stand out. From remodelling brooches into necklaces, to wearing chokers as headbands, she set some huge trends and was always showcasing her jewels in unique ways.
Whether it was an accident or not, wearing the Dehli Durbar Emerald Choker as a headpiece was a wonderful choice by the Princess and certainly supported her trendsetter reputation.
The diamonds in this piece alone are magnificent, looking to be around 10 carats each. They are old cut stones, which makes them even more valuable. While it’s so difficult to put a value on a piece like this that has such a rich history, it could be worth from £10,000,000 to £15,000,000,000.”
maxwell stone, creative director, steven stone
If you’re inspired by Princess Diana’s jewellery choices, why not take a look at our collection of necklaces, rings, and bracelets in a range of beautiful precious gemstones? We also have an extensive range of engagement and wedding rings.
