Precious Headpieces

From the private collection of Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, Dowager Countess of Airlie, former lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth II.

Late 19th century

The tiara was first worn by Maybelle, Countess of Airlie. In 1901, she was appointed lady-in-waiting to the then Princess of Wales, later Queen Mary. The presence of daisies and ivy, accompanied by pearls, in this tiara may indicate that it was a gift for a bride. In “The Language of Flowers,” the daisy represents innocence, faithful love, and purity, while ivy is considered a “helper in love.” The Airlie Tiara was subsequently regularly worn by Maybelle’s daughter-in-law, Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, Countess of Airlie, particularly during her duties as Lady-in-Waiting to Queen Elizabeth II. Virginia Ogilvy held the honor of being the first American woman to hold the post of Lady-in-Waiting to a British monarch. She held this position from 1973 until Queen Elizabeth’s death in 2022.