A stunning diamond tiara once owned by Queen Mary of the British royal family has resurfaced nearly 60 years after its last public appearance, captivating royal watchers worldwide. The Cartier-designed piece, valued at around $5 million, was worn by Tengku Natasya Adnan, the princess of the Sultanate of Pahang, during her Istiadat Berinai ceremony in Malaysia.
The revelation came from Saad Salman, a royal observer and friend of the Malaysian royal family, who confirmed the tiara's provenance with the current Queen Consort of Pahang. Salman noted, “We have excitedly concluded that her Diamond Bandeau must be the one from Queen Mary, as we cannot find any differences.”
Commissioned by Queen Mary in the early 1910s, the tiara is known for its Art Deco design, featuring a unique lozenge shape adorned with diamonds and originally topped with pearls. Queen Mary wore it at various public events in the 1930s, including a charity gala at the Savoy Hotel in London.
After Queen Mary’s passing, the tiara was loaned to her granddaughter, Princess Margaret, for significant occasions, with its last known appearance in a 1965 portrait. It was believed to have been locked away in royal vaults until it was sold at a New York auction in 1988, later purchased by the Queen Consort of Pahang.
Despite a minor mishap during the ceremony, where the tiara was slightly damaged, it is set to be repaired and will likely continue to be a highlight of Malaysian royal events for years to come.