A step-cut emerald mounted in a closed setting within a border of cushion-shaped diamonds, the gold band chased and engraved with rosettes, size I 1/2
Provenance
By tradition, presented by Queen Charlotte to Simon, 1st Earl of Harcourt upon the occasion of her marriage to George III
Thence by descent
Catalogue Note
Harcourt had been Governor to George III when he was Prince of Wales and the two were very close friends. In 1761 he was sent to Germany to negotiate the marriage between the King and the then Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Harcourt signed the marriage contract and married her in proxy, then escorted her to England. He then served as Master of the Horse and Lord Chamberlain to Queen Charlotte, before being appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and then British Ambassador to France. Family legend has it that the present ring is the same as was used in the proxy marriage.