Famous diamond Portland Tiara stolen by burglars in break-in at stately home

A famous diamond tiara has been stolen by burglars who broke into the stately home where it was kept.

The Portland Tiara was taken from The Welbeck Estate in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, on Tuesday night, along with a diamond brooch.

Police said burglars broke into the Portland Collection Gallery on the estate between 9.45pm and 10pm and stole the tiara and brooch from an armoured glass display case while the alarms were sounding.

The Tiara, created by Cartier, was commissioned by the 6th Duke of Portland for his wife, Winifred, Duchess of Portland, who wore it to the 1902 coronation of King Edward VII.

Its centrepiece is the Portland Diamond, which dates from the 19th century and is flanked by two diamond drops and other pendant diamonds, all set in gold and silver.

“The Portland Tiara is one of the great historic tiaras of Great Britain,” said Richard Edgcumbe, Curator of Jewellery at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

“Since its creation by Cartier in 1902, using diamonds from the historic collections of the Dukes of Portland, it has been recognised as a jewel of supreme importance, a superb design magnificently executed.”

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The diamond brooch, which was in the same glass display case, is made up of diamond clusters that previously stood at the apex of the tiara, police said.

The force is investigating and detectives have appealed for information about a silver Audi S5 suspected to have been involved in the heist.

Detective Inspector Neil Humphris said: “We’re pursuing a number of lines of enquiry but we believe there are people out there who may have crucial information that could help with our investigation.

“We particularly want to hear from anyone who has any information about a silver Audi S5 which is suspected to have been involved in this offence. This vehicle was found abandoned and burnt out in Cross Lane, Blidworth, about half-an-hour after the incident.

He added: “Did you see this vehicle in the Welbeck area around the time of the burglary or anywhere between the Welbeck Estate and Cross Lane in Blidworth between 9.45pm and 10.30pm on Tuesday night?

“If you have any information about this vehicle or the offence itself we’d urge you to please come forward and contact us as soon as possible. We’d also like to hear from any drivers who may have dash cam footage of this vehicle.”