Queen Margrethe’s 70th Birthday Flashback: Queen Margrethe’s Concert Jewels

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Because Queen Margrethe II of Denmark’s grand 80th birthday celebrations have sadly (but understandably) been cancelled, we’re taking a look back at the way the royals marked her 70th birthday ten years ago. Today, our coverage turns to the jewels worn by the Queen to her grand concert gala.

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The gala was held in Copenhagen on April 15, 2010. This event was also impacted by world events: ash clouds following volcanic eruptions in Iceland caused major travel disruptions across Europe, and several guests — notably King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Queen Beatrix, Prince Willem-Alexander, and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands, and King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain — were unable to get to Denmark for the concert.

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In Denmark, though, the show went on. Queen Margrethe, accompanied by Prince Henrik, arrived at the theater for the concert in a bright green gown and a fur stole.

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For the occasion, Margrethe wore one of the most important parures in the Danish crown jewel collection: the family’s diamond and emerald suite.

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The parure, which includes a tiara, earrings, necklace, and brooch, was made in 1840 using emeralds that had been in the Danish royal family for generations. The set was commissioned by King Christian VIII as an anniversary gift for his wife, Queen Caroline Amalie, and it’s been worn by each subsequent Danish queen.

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Because the set is part of the crown jewel collection, it is on display at Rosenborg Castle when it’s not in use. (See the display here!) Margrethe does not take the parure out of the country, so it’s only worn for gala events in Denmark.

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Along with the emerald suite, Margrethe wore her customary selection of chivalric ornaments, including the star and sash of the Order of the Elephant, the badge of the Order of the Dannebrog, and her father’s Royal Family Order.

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And, as an emerald bonus, she also added a fabulous emerald ring on her right hand. Leave it to Margrethe to turn the jewelry up an extra notch!