From Princess Margaret to King Baudouin: a lot of special things are discussed.
Have you always wanted to own a piece of royal history? Then you are now in luck with the British auction house Dreweatts. They have the honor of selling almost 200 pieces from the private collection of Serena Armstrong-Jones, the ex-daughter-in-law of the late Princess Margaret.
Who are the Snowdons?
The name Armstrong-Jones is undoubtedly familiar to you. David Armstrong-Jones, the second Earl of Snowdon, is the direct nephew of the late Queen Elizabeth as the son of Princess Margaret and Earl Antony Armstrong-Jones. David tied the knot with his Serena in 1993, but in 2020 the couple confirmed that they had ended their marriage.
Over the years, however, they have collected an impressive collection of royal works of art, royal heirlooms, and special furniture. Of these, no fewer than 174 pieces from Countess Serena’s private collection will now go under the hammer, the Dreweatts auction house has revealed. From furniture to riding boots and from Kensington Palace to the Belgian court, many special items are featured.
Royal
One of the showpieces, for example, is this charcoal sketch by the Belgian artist Rik Wouters called Rue d’Amsterdam. This work of art was a gift from none other than Belgian King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola to HRH Princess Margaret when the Belgian couple visited London in 1963.
A pair of Margaret’s riding boots will also be auctioned. Royalty watchers and viewers of The Crown naturally know that the princess and her sister both loved equestrian sports and were also passionate riders themselves.
It will therefore come as no surprise that Margaret owned a set of riding boots from purveyor Maxwell of London. These are now part of Countess Serena’s private collection, so they could soon be yours. Lot 4 consists of a set of authentic riding boots with boot trees stamped ‘HRH Princess Margaret’, a collection of riding crops, and a set of leather carrying bags with more accessories.
Interior
Various regal pieces of furniture will also go under the hammer. If you are still looking for a vintage table: the collection also includes an eighteenth-century table by maker Henry Hill, which is labeled on the inside with the text ‘Pembroke Table Kensington Palace 1967’. You can also bid on a unique armchair that was also used in the private apartment of Serena’s former mother-in-law at Kensington Palace.
Image: © Dreweatts
Image: © Dreweatts
Auction
If you are interested in having such a piece of history in your home, you can already bid via the Dreweatts website. On April 7, 8, and 9 you can visit Berkshire to take a look at the collection for yourself, and the auction will take place on April 9.
Whether you are looking for a set of exquisite Riesling wines, new furniture, or unique art for the wall: there is undoubtedly something to your taste among the 174 lots.
Source: Dreweatts | Header image: NL Image
