Royal Treasures

For generations, the name Garrard has been synonymous with British royalty, and now the jeweller has opened up some of its ledgers to the public for the first time in a new display in the Jewel Room at London’s Kensington Palace. Dating back to the firm’s founding year of 1735, royal commissions have ranged from silver communion cups to gemstone-laden crowns.

You can also pore over the intricate technical drawing used to create one of Garrard’s most iconic pieces, Queen Mary’s fringe tiara (1919). Incorporating diamonds – taken from Queen Victoria’s wedding gift to Mary – into 47 spectacularly graduated rays, the glittering headpiece was later worn by the then Princess Elizabeth (now HM The Queen) on her wedding day in 1947.

Alongside the fascinating archival material are samples of Garrard’s current collections, such