How a flower made of rubies became a favourite of a princess

Ever known as the glamorous sister of Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret chose couture gowns and dramatic hair styles regularly. Never one to shy away from the spotlight, she often accessorised with impressive jewels. And one of her favourite brooches is from none other than Cartier. 

The Cartier Ruby Flower Brooch is an open-faced flower. There are diamonds set in the petals, several rubies set in the centre of the flower, and diamonds set in the stem with one lone ruby. 

Cartier created the brooch in 1948 and Princess Margaret was seen wearing it as early as 1949. She frequently wore the brooch in a number of different positions, and notably wore it for both daytime and evening events. 

One of her most unique choices was wearing it as a hair ornament in the 1960s. 

Margaret chose to wear the Cartier Ruby Flower Brooch in 1994 when her daughter, Lady Sarah Chatto, was married at St Stephen’s Walbrook in London, and again in 2000 for the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday gala. 

There are two mysteries surrounding this brooch. How did Margaret acquire this brooch. It’s widely assumed that it was a gift from her parents given that she got it when she was 18 years old. The other unanswered question is who owns this brooch now with possibilities including that the princess did what any mum wants to do and left the brooch to her own beloved daughter.