Today marks the 30th Anniversary of the Death of Lady May Abel Smith, who passed away on this day in 1994! Queen Mary’s niece, who was born a Princess of Teck, and married an Army officer who served as Governor of Queensland, Lady May possessed this spectacular Diamond Spike Tiara!
But first, let’s learn about Lady May! Born Princess May of Teck, the daughter of Prince Alexander of Teck, great-grandson of King George III, and the former Princess Alice of Albany, granddaughter of Queen Victoria, she lost her German title in 1917, and became Lady May Cambridge when her father became the Earl of Athlone. In 1931, Lady May married Captain Henry Abel Smith, and the couple had three children. During the Second World War, Lady May and her children joined her parents in Canada, where her father was serving as the Governor General, and a decade later, she joined Sir Henry as he served as the Governor of Queensland between 1958 and 1966. The couple retired at Barton Lodge at Winkfield in 1975, with Sir Henry passing away in 1993, and Lady May a year later.
When Lady May Cambridge married Captain Henry Abel Smith in 1931, she relied this Diamond Spike Tiara as a Wedding Gift from her mother-in-law, Mrs. Francis Abel Smith, of Selsdon Park and Wilford House, which was among the Jewels displayed with the rest of the Wedding Gifts.
Lady May Abel Smith notably wore the Diamond Spike Tiara paired with an Art Deco Diamond Chain, which was a wedding gift from King George V and Queen Mary, at the Coronation of her first cousin, King George VI, at Westminster Abbey in 1937.
When Sir Henry served as the 17th Governor of Queensland between 1958 and 1966, Lady May wore her Diamond Spike Tiara along with a shorter version of her Diamond Chain, for a series of portraits.
During Sir Henry’s tenure, the couple hosted the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh on their Tour of Australia in 1963, and Lady May no doubt wore the Diamond Spike Tiara for the Dinner at Government House in Brisbane on the 6th of March.
The Diamond Spike Tiara was not worn by either of the couples’ daughters at their weddings, but since it has not been auctioned like Princess Alice’s Diamond Palmette Tiara, it likely remains with her children, like the Teck Ears of Wheat Tiara.
Royal Magazin
Lady May Abel Smith’s Diamond Tiara
Princess Alice’s Diamond Palmette Tiara
Teck Ears of Wheat Tiara
Princess Alice’s Pearl and Diamond Tiara
Teck Sapphire Stomacher
Princess Alice’s Pearl Corsage Brooch
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