Queen Anne-Marie’s Royal Wedding Rubies

Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, whose husband, King Constantine II, reigned from 1964 until 1973, has Scandinavian roots. Born Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark, her grandfathers were King Christian X of Denmark and King Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden. For the wedding of her cousin, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, in June 2010, Anne-Marie wore spectacular ruby jewels from the former royal collection of Greece with a navy blue gown. The star and light blue sash of the Greek Order of the Redeemer were also attached to her dress.

With the navy gown and blue sash, Anne-Marie wore diamonds and rubies. The rubies in the Greek parure are pigeon’s blood rubies, which have a purplish-pink cast. The set includes several pieces, including a tiara, a necklace, a pair of earrings, and a brooch. The rubies originally came from Russia. They were purchased for Queen Olga of the Hellenes (who was born Grand Duchess Olga Constantinovna of Russia) by her husband, King George I.

Here’s a closer look at the tiara from the parure, which has an olive wreath design. Olives are, of course, an important product and symbol in Greece. Many of us associate olives with the color green, but Greek olives are often dark red or brown. (They’re the “Kalamata” variety, which originated on the Peloponnese peninsula.)

Queen Anne-Marie wore the tiara, the earrings, the necklace, and the small cluster brooch for the Swedish royal wedding in 2010. She also added a diamond and ruby bracelet and an evening watch set with diamonds and rubies to the ensemble.