Friday, December 14, 2012

Royal gifts for Iris FitzGeorge




December 14, 1912

Earlier this week, Miss Iris FitzGeorge married Robert Balfour.  The bride is a granddaughter of the late Duke of Cambridge and his morganatic wife Sarah Fairbrother and a second cousin to Queen Mary.

Mrs. Balfour is the daughter of the  Duke of Cambridge's third son, Col. FitzGeorge, and her mother, Rosa Baring, is the sister of Francis Baring, who, according to the New York Times, "created a sensation by opening a beauty specialist shop in the West End.

The bride received a dazzling array of gifts from her royal relatives.  Queen Mary gave a "green enamel brooch the Royal Cypher and a crown in diamonds."  Queen Alexandra's gift was an amethyst and diamond pendant, which formed the letter A." 

The bride's great aunt, the Dowager Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz gave her a "portrait of herself in a silver frame."  Prince and Princess Alexander of Teck and the Duke and Duchess of Teck also sent "dainty gifts."

Mrs. Balfour wore a veil and a diamond pendant that once belonged to the Duchess of Gloucester, a daughter of George III.  Her tiara which was "formed of gold leaves studded with diamonds" had also once belonged to the late duchess.  

She was given the tiara and a diamond and emerald necklace at breakfast by her uncle, Sir Augustus FitzGeorge.

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