Who believes in circumstance, or more, serendipity?
After posting my enquiry about the infamous diamond necklace yesterday, and today, following through on other leads, I found the following in an article describing , inter alia, the alleged excessive expenditures of her late Majesty, The Queen Mother:
"In 1942, Queen Elizabeth's personal wealth increased with the death of the society hostess Mrs Ronnie Greville, who left her most of her fabulous jewel collection, including the Boucheron tiara, and a magnificent five-strand diamond necklace reputed to have once belonged to Marie Antoinette."
That may well have been it! On the other hand, the necklace which brought the French monarchy to ruin never did belong to France or poor, wretched Marie Antoinette.
I'd still be interested to know its fate. It was, supposedly, one of the most magical assembly of diamonds ever crafted. I can't recall that I've ever seen a member of the BRF wearing anything like it.