Queen Maxima and the Dutch Sapphire Tiara

CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images

One of the grandest sapphire tiaras in Europe belongs to the Dutch royal family. Today, we’ve got a closer look at the two different ways Queen Maxima has worn the Dutch Sapphire Parure Tiara since becoming Queen of the Netherlands.

Robin Utrecht-Pool/Getty Images

Maxima debuted the tiara for the first time at her husband’s inauguration ceremony in April 2013. It was a stunning way for her to underscore the importance of her new royal role.

Peter Dejong – Pool/Getty Images

For the occasion, however, Maxima did not wear the full setting of this grand tiara, choosing instead to wear it with a shorter central element.

Robin Utrecht-Pool/Getty Images

She paired the tiara with additional sapphire pieces from the Dutch vaults. The earrings were made for Princess Margriet using gemstones from the sapphire and diamond tiara given to Queen Wilhelmina as a wedding present by the Dutch people in 1901. The large sapphire pendant is also part of the family’s sapphire parure; she wore it on this occasion suspended from one of the family’s bow brooches.

Niels Ahlmann Olesen/AFP/Getty Images

In March 2015, Maxima wore the tiara for a second time. The occasion: a grand state banquet held in Copenhagen during the royal couple’s state visit to Denmark.

Niels Ahlmann Olesen/AFP/Getty Images

She wore the full version of the tiara this time, including the taller diamond central element. She also suspended the large sapphire and diamond pendant from a setting that includes another large sapphire and a pair of diamond wings.