Lady Flora Vesterberg turns 30 today

While the Princess of Wales is often seen wearing her Tiffany & Co necklace and earrings, she's not the only royal drawn to the iconic American jewellery brand. 

Flora Vesterberg, an art historian and granddaughter of Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy, recently brought her expertise to Tiffany & Co as the curator of their Windows of Wonder exhibit, which debuted at Selfridges on London's Oxford Street this past autumn.

In this role, Flora led private tours for clients, highlighting the union between jewellery and fine art, and presented captivating video content - a natural fit for her. 

During her research, Flora uncovered a fascinating connection to her own heritage, learning of her great-grandmother, Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent's link to the French jewellery designer Jean Schlumberger.

In an Instagram post, she explained: 'I've enjoyed researching Jean Schlumberger. On my first morning, I learned that my great-grandmother HRH Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent had played a key role in the jewellery designer's early career.

'In 1937, the Italian couturier Elsa Schiaparelli had seen her wearing an exquisite pair of Schlumberger's earrings. She subsequently commissioned him to create buttons for her, which resembled fruit and insects. 

'Most of his designs were inspired by the natural world and these brooches look incredible alongside the sculptures of the Japanese artist Mariko Kusumoto in our Windows of Wonder exhibition.'

Though not a frontline royal, Flora is most definitely part of the elite family circle.

For Trooping the Colour 2023, King Charles invited six members of the extended Royal Family to enjoy the flypast from a second balcony situated in the inner quadrangle of Buckingham Palace.

One of these guests was Flora, who stood alongside her husband, Swedish financier Timothy Vesterberg, and Lady Gabriella Kingston.

Today, as she celebrates her 30th birthday, she reflects on an impressive career as an art historian, with a series of high-profile collaborations under her belt.

The thrice great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Flora combines a commitment to education and philanthropy with a keen focus on the arts. 

She holds a master's degree from The Courtauld Institute of Art, where she recently joined the Campaign Board, a circle of prominent philanthropists and advisors tasked with raising £50million for the transformation of the Somerset House campus. 

Additionally, she co-chairs the Young Patrons' Circle of the Victoria and Albert Museum, demonstrating her commitment to education.

Specialising in modern and contemporary art, Flora lectures at esteemed institutions, including Sotheby's Institute of Art, and brings a distinctive sense of style to her public appearances. 

She often gravitates towards Emilia Wickstead for important occasions, once telling Vogue: 'I often wear Emilia Wickstead's pieces to give lectures at The Sotheby's Institute of Art because they feel empowering.'

Whether delivering a lecture or appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony, Flora proudly represents British designers, from Self-Portrait - a favourite of Kate Middleton and Princess Eugenie - to The Deck. 

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In 2020, Flora's royal lineage was underscored by her marriage to Timothy Vesterberg at The Chapel Royal of St James's Palace, the very venue where Queen Victoria wed Prince Albert in 1840.

Exactly one year later, the couple staged a more public marriage blessing at the chapel, with a host of royals in attendance. 

The bride wore an exquisite ivory Phillipa Lepley gown, featuring an A-line silhouette and delicate floral embroidery depicting magnolia, jasmine, starflowers and orchids.

The design was inspired by the glinting tiara that Flora would wear, originally belonging to her grandmother, Princess Alexandra.

The Ogilvy Tiara was formed in the 1960s from several pearl and diamond hair ornaments that already existed in Alexandra's collection.

Flora's father, James, is the son of Princess Alexandra and Sir Angus Ogilvy.

Born in Edinburgh, she and her younger brother, Alexander, grew up in a 1780s country house on the east coast of Scotland.

Flora attended the co-educational Rugby School in Warwickshire, studying English, French and Fine Art at A-level, before graduating with a degree in Art History from the University of Bristol.