Queen Alexandra's Kokoshnik Tiara
In 1888, the Prince and Princess of Wales (future King Edward
VII and Queen Alexandra) celebrated the silver anniversary of their wedding.
For this special occasion, Marchioness of Salisbury (wife the Prime Minister) and
the other peeresses of Great Britain, formed a committee known as the “Ladies
of Society” to decide what gift would best please Her Royal Highness. Together with
Lady Salisbury were three other peeresses: Maria, Marchioness of Ailesbury (who
was a supporter of the opposition Liberal Party); the Countess Spencer; and the
Countess of Cork. The society raised enough money to buy a
tiara that to this day forms one of the most prized jewels of the Royal Family:
the Kokoshnik tiara. This tiara is a dream come true for the future queen. She
always wanted one that resembled a kokoshnik (cock's comb), a traditional
Russian folk headdress. She knew the design so well because her sister, Marie
Feodorovna, had a tiara that looks like a kokoshnik. The tiara was made by Garra…
