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| Queen Victoria displays the orange blossom parure designed by Prince Albert Photo Credit: The Victorian Peeper |
Prince Albert was a brilliant man of many talents and interests. In addition to his keen interest in the monarchy, education, and social reform, the Prince Consort spent much of his personal time pursuing the arts. He studied architecture, art, fresco, photography, and jewelry. He was a talented jewelry designer and was fortunate enough to have some of the most celebrated design firms at his beck and call.
In addition to charm bracelets designed to commemorate the births of their children, Prince Albert also commissioned several tiaras with matching necklaces, brooches, and earrings (parures) as just-because gifts for his bride.
Most of his jeweled gifts he reserved for the sole purpose of surprising his wife, Queen Victoria. A pure romantic at heart, he truly was the man of her dreams. In a life filled with manipulation, treachery, and mistrust, Victoria’s short time with Albert renewed within her the belief that the world is a beautiful, romantic, and wonderful place.
I suppose some may argue that Don Juan takes the cake on romance, but I think anyone who can romance his wife the way Albert did wins in my book.
Who is your favorite romantic from the annals of history?
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Ray, Nandita. "Jewels of the British Monarchs Part 2." Jewel Info 4 U. Accessed July 6, 2012. http://www.jewelinfo4u.com/The_Jewels_Of_The_British_Monarchs_-_Victorian_Era.aspx.
2. Internet Stones. "Queen Victoria's Emerald and Diamond Tiara." Accessed July 6, 2012. http://www.internetstones.com/queen-victorias-emerald-and-diamond-tiara-designed-prince-albert.html.
3. Tiaratime's Blog. "7 Tiaras You Can't Afford (And 5 More You Can!)" November 3, 2009. Accessed July 6, 2012. http://tiaratime.wordpress.com/2009/11/03/7-tiaras-you-cant-afford-and-5-more-you-can/.
4. Nivision, Kate. "Crowning Glories: The Great Tiara Revival." Date and Publication Unknown. Accessed July 6, 2012. http://www.sales-travelfeatures.co.uk/features/tia198.pdf.
5. Blay, Pearl. "Queen Victoria's Jewels." The Beading Gem's Journal Blog. January 3, 2010. Accessed July 6, 2012. http://www.beadinggem.com/2010/01/queen-victorias-jewels.html.
*Clip art courtesy of The Graphics Fairy
I would have liked all of Prince Albert's jewelry he created for his wife and the way he romanced her! I am a "romantic" at heart as well... (:
ReplyDeleteOh, me too!! It is so sad that he died so soon. His family and the world really lost out on his beautiful influence!
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