From royal love affair to Hollywood spotlight: How Edward VII’s gift to his mistress ended up in The Devil Wears Prada

A necklace made for King Edward VII’s mistress, which appeared in the film The Devil Wears Prada, has resurfaced after being returned to the jewellery brand it originally came from – along with the intriguing tale behind the piece.

The then-Prince of Wales, who had been married to Princess Alexandra of Denmark since 1863, was reportedly infatuated with actress and socialite Lillie Langtry after meeting her at a London dinner party in the late 1870s.

She soon became one of Edward’s mistresses, leading him to commission London jeweller Hancocks & Co to design an Egyptian-style necklace for her.

Lillie, born in Jersey, moved to London in 1876 at the age of 20 after marrying Irish landowner Edward Langtry. Her beauty and charm captured attention, sparking commentary and invitations from artists and society hosts alike.

During the Aesthetic Movement, she was painted by several prominent artists, and her portrait by Sir John Everett Millais, displayed at the Royal Academy, earned her the nickname ‘Jersey Lily’. 

In 1881, Lillie made her West End debut in the comedy She Stoops to Conquer, breaking new ground as the first socialite to appear on stage. The following year, she became the first celebrity to endorse a commercial product, lending her support to Pears soap. 

Lillie starred in numerous plays, including The Lady of Lyons and William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, before taking on the lead role in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra in 1884.

She debuted the infamous necklace during her opening night performance.

The Egyptian-style necklace incorporated a carved carnelian shell, winged scarabs, coral drops, turquoise cabochons and carved moonstones

Lillie’s acquaintances included Oscar Wilde, who encouraged her to pursue acting. She was also known for her relationships with royal figures and nobles, including Edward VII, Lord Shrewsbury, and Prince Louis of Battenberg. 

Edward had a house built for her in Bournemouth, Dorset, where the couple conducted their three-year affair away from the public gaze.

Her former home, called the Red House, is now the Langtry Manor Hotel, with the King’s room being used as a honeymoon suite.

Edward employed Hancocks & Co, which held a royal warrant from Queen Victoria, to create a necklace for Lillie, incorporating a carved carnelian shell, winged scarabs, coral drops, turquoise cabochons and carved moonstones.

The design captured the late 19th-century fascination with Egyptian-style jewellery, a trend inspired by Napoleon’s expedition to Egypt and the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. 

Lillie held onto the necklace for several years, but it remained out of the public eye until it appeared at a Bonhams auction in 2003. The seller, a private individual, claimed that Lillie had gifted the necklace to their grandmother. 

Hancocks bought the necklace back for £19,718. However, the company later sold it to New York-based antique dealer Fred Leighton, known for providing pieces to Hollywood celebrities and stylists. 

Fred loaned the necklace to costume designer Patricia Field, who styled it on Meryl Streep’s character, Miranda Priestly, in the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada. She teamed it with a crisp white shirt and a Donna Karan trench coat.

The necklace was worn by Meryl Streep’s character, Miranda Priestly, in the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada

Edward VII, who had been married to Princess Alexandra of Denmark since 1863, was reportedly infatuated by actress and socialite Lillie Langtry after meeting at a London dinner party in the late 1870s. Pictured: Edward and Alexandra at his coronation in 1902

Lillie, born in Jersey, moved to London in 1876 at the age of 20 after marrying Irish landowner Edward Langtry

Lillie became the first celebrity to endorse a commercial product, lending her support to Pears soap in 1890

Her beauty and charm captured attention, sparking commentary and invitations from artists and society hostesses alike

Lillie modelling a sable motoring coat, standing next to an electric City and Suburban car

That same year, the necklace was auctioned again at Sotheby’s in New York. Hancocks repurchased the piece and displayed it in its boutique at Mayfair’s Burlington Arcade, before selling it once more to a private American client. 

In October 2009, the necklace resurfaced at Christie’s in New York, where Hancocks purchased it for £33,500, bringing it back to London for a third time.

However, an American collector, who had unsuccessfully bid on the piece, was determined to track it down. Hancocks agreed to sell it, though struggled with seller’s regret.

This year, as the jeweller relocated to larger premises in St James’s, with space to display its archive, managing director Guy Burton renewed his efforts to recover the piece. 

He approached the client to enquire if they might be willing to part with it. After reaching an agreement on a private sale, the necklace has finally returned to Hancocks for a fourth time. 

Amy Burton, daughter of Stephen and Janie Burton, who now own the company, told The Telegraph that they have no intention of selling the necklace again.

‘This necklace is so special that we can never part with it again,’ she said. ‘Hancocks has always made incredible jewellery, and this necklace represents so much history: social history, royal history and the history of jewellery.

‘It’s such a unique piece that ties in so many elements of our 175-year history, and now it has come home. It feels like a very symbolic, full-circle moment.’

The necklace will now be displayed at Hancocks’ townhouse boutique, alongside other historical pieces, including the Victorian Anglesey Tiara. 

This tiara, originally created for the 5th Marquess of Anglesey, Henry Cyril Paget, was worn by aristocratic ladies at the coronations of both King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.