Thatcher’s Pearls of Power: Lavish Royal Gifts Spark Controversy in Newly Revealed Documents

According to documents from the National Archives, former Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher - rarely seen without her iconic pearls - spent thousands of pounds sterling on a leaving gift for herself, Mirror reports. One of these gifts is a collection of jewelry given by King Hassan II, including a pearl necklace, a bracelet, and earrings dating from 1987, estimated at £1,450, £900, and £350 respectively. The following year, the Emir of Bahrain had given her a double-strand pearl necklace and a pearl ring, worth £110 and £75. A separate pearl necklace, estimated at £600, had also been gifted to her by the Crown Prince of Bahrain that same year.

According to government regulations at the time, the valuation limit for gifts was £75. In other words, Thatcher spent £3,260 to retain these gifts after her resignation.