Crown Princess Margareta’s Grenadier Guards Brooch

Today marks the 115th Anniversary of the Birth of Countess Kerstin Bernadotte, who was born on this day in 1910! The Swedish Aristocrat who morganatically married Prince Carl Johan of Sweden, who was forced to renounce his titles, Countess Kerstin possessed a few royal heirlooms, which included Crown Princess Margareta’s Grenadier Guards Brooch!

Diamond Necklace Tiara | Grenadier Guards Brooch

When Princess Margaret of Connaught married the future King Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden in 1907, she received this striking Diamond Brooch from the Officers of the Grenadier Guards made as the Regimental Badge of a grenade with 17 flames worn on the Soldier’s caps, which represents a battle honour awarded after they defeated the French Imperial Guard’s Grenadiers at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

After Crown Princess Margareta’s death in 1920, the Grenadier Guards Brooch was among the few jewels inherited by her youngest son, Prince Carl Johan of Sweden and worn from the 1940s by his wife, Countess Kerstin, usually with her Diamond Necklace.

In 1977, Count Carl Johan and Countess Kerstin gave Crown Princess Margareta’s Grenadier Guards Brooch as a Christening gift to his great-niece, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.

While it has never been publicly worn by Crown Princess Victoria , the Grenadier Guards Brooch was worn by Queen Silvia on a couple of occasions in the early 1980s, most notably on a visit to New York City in 1981. Let’s hope we see this royal heirloom worn again soon!

Diamond Necklace Tiara | Grenadier Guards Brooch

Diamond Necklace Tiara

Grenadier Guards Brooch

Connaught Diamond Tiara