Queen Elizabeth died in September and left the world grieving. While she left her crown for King Charles III to inherit, she had a huge jewelry collection that will be divided among her successors as well. The collection of jewels is huge and consists of numerous necklaces and bracelets, covered in diamonds and rubies. One of the most expensive pieces of jewelry that she possessed is the Nizam of Hyderabad necklace, with an estimated worth of about $75 million.
Queen Elizabeth received the necklace from the monarch of India’s Hyderabad State, Asaf Jah VII, back on their wedding day in 1947. The monarch invited Queen Elizabeth, then just Princess, to choose two pieces of jewelry from Cartier. That was his wedding gift to her.
Kate Middleton Will Inherit Queen Elizabeth’s $75 Million Wedding Gift
Asaf Jah VII, the Nizam of Hyderabad presented the Queen with a huge collection of jewelry. She chose two from the massive collection, opting for the expensive necklace and a beautifully made tiara.
Since then, the Queen appeared at numerous events wearing the expensive necklace that now will fall into some of her successors’ hands.
Back in 2014, the Queen allowed the Princess of Wales to carry the expensive necklace while attending a black-tie reception at the National Portrait gallery. Princess Kate Middleton then wore a beautiful dark blue Jenny Packham dress. The most expensive piece of jewelry she could imagine, the Nizam of Hyderabad enriched her looks.
In the past 60+ years since Queen Elizabeth had the Nizam of Hyderabad necklace, there are two people that had the honor of wearing it. Queen Elizabeth, and the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton.
After Queen’s death, it is very likely that Kate Middleton will inherit the necklace, before any of the remaining royals.
The necklace is made of platinum and 13 emerald-cut diamonds. They form several shapes, out of which the most noticeable is the biggest teardrop pendant. Sitting between the huge centerpiece and the smaller drop pendant.
The necklace is handmade by Cartier in the 1930s. Ever since, he reworked it several times. The initial version of the necklace consisted of three triple-drop pendants and eight double-drop pendants.
Queen Elizabeth lent her huge jewelry collection to her grand-daughters in law on several occasions. The Nizam of Hyderabad necklace is not the only piece of jewelry that the Queen shared with other royals.
George IV State Diadem or the Diamond Diadem is a crown jewel consisting of 23 578 gemstones. It is worth close to $1 million and it represents one of the most symbolic crowns in the royal collection. However, this will first go to Queen Consort Camilla, and then, to Kate Middleton.
