Christie's, the renowned auction house, is to announce the June sale of royal jewellery, once belonging to Margaret Rose, the Queen's sister. Described by Suzie Menkes as "the bright-eyed, mischievous younger sister of Queen Elizabeth, a larky beauty with velvet eyes to rival Elizabeth Taylor's in her heyday."

The auction, which will feature a stunning collection of jewellery, includes the tiara she wore to her wedding to court photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones, in 1960.

For collectors, royal or otherwise, the sale at Christie's London on June 13 and 14 will be a treasure trove of public history and private emotion. Margaret died in 2002, leaving to her two children and their families what looks like, as the Tribune describes"the contents of her dressing-table drawers: a jumble of boxes, grandly embossed or modest and broken-hinged, containing anything from a pair of synthetic ruby earrings to a Scottish terrier pin that might have come from a Christmas stocking, if it were not labeled Tiffany."

The collection of 650 covetable pieces, include a Fabergé clock and cigarette case and a modern diamond necklace gifted from the emir of Kuwait. Not all jewellery is precious or valuable, but nonetheless gives an intriguing insight into a woman who turned away the red plush and old-fashioned world of pomp and pageantry.

It is not known why the jewellery is being auctioned, a decision made by Margaret's children, designer David Linley and artist Sarah Chatto. The children have made no formal statement as to the sale, but rumour has it that money is needed to pay inheritance tax on the £7 million estate.