Scandi Sparkler Spectacular: Danish Ruby vs Alexandrine Diamond Drop

Time for the first contest of round two of the Scandinavian tiara tournament!

The Danish Ruby Parure Tiara vs. The Alexandrine Diamond Drop Tiara

The Danish Ruby Parure Tiara

This tiara began its life as a series of hair combs, purchased by Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte for his wife, Desiree, to wear at Napoleon’s coronation in 1804. When Bernadotte was elected King of Sweden, the rubies became royal jewels. The combs were made into a bandeau by Queen Alexandrine of Denmark, who had received them from her mother-in-law, Lovisa of Sweden. Queen Ingrid turned the bandeau into a grand wreath tiara, which is now worn by Crown Princess Mary of Denmark.

The Alexandrine Diamond Drop Tiara

This delicate diamond drop tiara originally belonged to Queen Alexandrine of Denmark. It was later given to Queen Margrethe II, her granddaughter, as an eighteenth-birthday present. She wore the tiara for years before passing it along to her daughter-in-law, Alexandra. Although Countess Alexandra is no longer a royal princess, she still retains the tiara — and will likely earmark it for the use of her own daughters-in-law one day in the future.

More tiaras coming up next!