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Auction: 25001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 490

Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant

The Greek Royal Family Order of Saints Olga and Sophia bestowed upon J. Brittain-Jones, the uncrowned 'Queen of Greece' who was the great love of King George II of Greece

Greece, Kingdom, Royal Family Order of Saints Olga and Sophia, Badge, 58mm including crown suspension x 43mm, silver-gilt and enamel, by Spink & Son Ltd., London, mounted on its bow and tails' riband, nearly extremely fine, in its embossed fitted case of issue

A few words from our vendor:

'Joyce was my maternal grandmother. She was a calm, generous, attentive and caring person. I enjoyed her visits to me at school, arriving in her Ford Popular when she would take me out for tea. I spent many school holidays at her home.

Joyce's relationship with George was a profoundly loving one until his unexpected death in 1947 when he was waiting for her to join him in Greece. They experienced turbulent times together due to George's duties and obligations to his country as the Greek monarch. They were steadfast in their love and commitment to each other even though they did not marry. I am sure that Joyce's quiet, unfussy and calm demeanour coupled with her commitment to George provided the support and stability he needed. In recognition of her importance to him, he awarded her the honour of this Order. '

The Order is a dynastic one reserved for women only and was the third highest honour of the Greek State and Crown after the Order of the Redeemer and the male-only Order of Saints George and Constantine. It was instituted in January 1936 by King George II in the memory of his grandmother (Queen Olga) and his mother (Queen Sophia). Crown Prince Pavlos is the present Sovereign of the Order and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal is the Grand Mistress. It is bestowed extremely sparingly and was last awarded to Princess Nina of Greece and Denmark in 2020.

Emerald Joyce Henrietta Brittain Jones (née Wallach) was born in Allahabad, Utter Pradesh, India. Her father, William Wallach, was a Barrister in India. On 19 January 1924, she married Captain Jack Brittain Jones (1899-1975) of the Black Watch, at a society wedding at Middle Temple Church in London. In 1927, the couple had a daughter, Pauleen Victoria. By 1931, Jack and his family were living in India where Jack was Aide-de-Camp to Lord Willingdon, Viceroy of India.

In 1931, George II of Greece (1890-1947) visited India where he met Jack and Joyce. From 1934, the correspondence from Joyce to George is loving and affectionate, clearly indicating that a deep and meaningful personal relationship had developed between them. In 1935, George II was divorced by his estranged wife, Princess Elisabeth of Romania (1894-1956), who cited desertion. Joyce and Jack also divorced in 1935, citing Jack's adultery.

George II had become King of Greece in 1922, but in 1924 Greece declared itself a Republic and the monarchy was abolished. Eventually the Greek monarchy was restored in 1935, with George returned as King. Joyce and the King then began to lead a very private life together in Greece, often at the Tatoi Palace, the Royal family's summer residence situated thirty miles from Athens, where George was able to indulge his love of farming. Joyce reportedly knitted, read and sat quietly. She was well-liked by George's sister-in-law, Katherine, and regarded as one of the family.

It is reported that Joyce refused to marry George II because she believed that a morganatic marriage, like that of Edward VIII and Mrs Simpson (also divorced), would be damaging to George's position as monarch.

In 1941, Germany occupied Greece and George fled to Crete, facing many dangers including his potential capture. A British destroyer transported him into exile in Cairo, Egypt. Later in 1943, Joyce accompanied George to the United States of America as his quiet and inconspicuous companion. Joyce also accompanied George on a visit to South Africa. They had then moved to London, where Joyce engaged in war work as a Fire Warden. Joyce was a particular friend of Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent who was a Greek Princess by birth and a British Princess by marriage to Prince George, Duke of Kent.

In 1946, a referendum restored the monarchy, and George II again returned to Greece as King. He desperately wanted Joyce to accompany him to Greece and put pressure on the British Government to permit her to join him. However, the Government was concerned to avoid political difficulties in Greece and refused permission. Princess Katherine suggested that Joyce could live in Greece as her lady in waiting. Sadly, whilst waiting for a resolution and missing each other, George II died of a heart attack in his office in the Royal Palace in Athens and was buried at Tatoi Palace.

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Estimate
£600 to £800

Starting price
£500