A Portrait of Jewels: Following missing treasures through canvas

An illustrated talk by Andrew Prince, creator of Downton Abbey's jewellery. Andrew was inspired to produce this talk after visiting the National Portrait Gallery. On seeing all the Tudor, Stuart and Hanoverian monarchs dressed in their finery, he wondered where had all their spectacular jewels gone? Among the many jewels he traces through looking at historic portraits, Andrew follows glowing pearls that belonged to Catherine de Medici, Mary Queen of Scots, Elizabeth the First, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II, together with a spectacular and diamond that was purchased by King James the first of England, left to his doomed son King Charles the First and smuggled out of the country. It was later sold, worn by Marie Antoinette, stolen during the French Revolution, purchased by a Russian Aristocrat and later mounted in a tiara by Cartier for and American Heiress, who then became a British Member of Parliament! Jewel hunting has never been more fascinating. Tea and coffee from 11am, talk starts 11:30am.