Queen’s gift to be sold at city auction

Published on 12/07/2012 12:00

A GRANITE bracelet given by Queen Victoria to her lady of the bedchamber to mark the engagement of her daughter, Princess Louise, is to be sold in Edinburgh next month.

The engagement took place at Balmoral Estate in 1870 as Princess Louise, her future fiancé Lord Lorne, the Lord Chancellor, and the lady of the bedchamber, the Marchioness of Ely, went for a walk on the estate.

The bracelet is inscribed “To the Marchoness of Ely in recollection of the Dhu Loch 3rd Octr 1870 from Victoria R”. It is formed as a series of six circular cabochon-cut granites.

Victoria wrote in her diary: “This was an eventful day! Our dear Louise was engaged to Lord Lorne.”

Some members of the royal family disapproved of Lorne because of his social position, but Victoria supported her daughter’s choice.

The bracelet’s recipient, Jane Ely, Marchioness of Ely, was a put-upon figure said to have lived in constant fear of the Queen and was famous for her lack of discretion.

The bracelet, which is estimated as being worth between £600 and £800, will be sold at Bonhams annual Scottish sale, which takes place in Edinburgh on August 29.