Denmark’s trio of royal sisters made an important appearance in Copenhagen this week, celebrating their mother’s legacy and honoring her with their choice of jewels.
On Sunday, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and her younger sisters, Princess Benedikte of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, arrived at Christian IX’s Palace at the Amalienborg complex in Copenhagen for a very special event honoring the legacy of their late mother. They awarded the Queen Ingrid’s Honorary Scholarship for the final time. The award recognizes remarkable skills in in dance and music and provides funding for continuing studies in the field.
The royal sisters greeted their guests ahead of the awards ceremony and performances, which were shown on television under the title “Palæerne Danser.” The palace explained that the special performance was made up “of four ballet pieces adapted to Amalienborg’s four knights ‘halls’ diverse expressions.”
All three sisters wore gala gowns and gorgeous jewels for the event. Many of the jewels were directly linked to Queen Ingrid. The most striking of these was the Diamond Daisy Brooch, pinned to the center of Queen Margrethe’s bodice. The brooch, set with diamonds that belonged to Princess Margaret of Connaught, was given to Ingrid by her father, King Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden. Ingrid often loaned it to Margrethe, whose nickname is “Daisy,” and eventually she gifted the piece to her.
On this occasion, Queen Margrethe also wore other diamond and pearl pieces with the important brooch: several strands of pearls, a pearl and diamond ring, and a very important pair of heirloom diamond earrings. The antique earrings, made of diamonds set in silver, date to the 1750s. According to Heidi Laura’s new book on Denmark’s royal jewels, the earrings date back 10 generations, and they’re among the very oldest jewels that Queen Margrethe wears. The pieces reportedly originate with Princess Anne, daughter of King George II and Queen Caroline of Great Britain, who was the Princess Royal by birth and the Princess of Orange by marriage. Margrethe descends directly from her through her great-grandmother, Queen Lovisa of Denmark.
Princess Benedikte also wore heirloom royal jewels for the event. With diamond and pearl drop earrings, and a diamond necklace, she wore a striking sapphire and diamond brooch, pinned at the shoulder of her gown. The brooch comes from the collection of Princess Thyra of Denmark, and it can also be worn as a pendant. Benedikte inherited the jewel from Queen Ingrid.
Queen Anne-Marie was also elegant in diamonds and pearls with a gorgeous brooch. If the dress looks familiar, there’s a good reason: she wore it for the wedding of her youngest son, Prince Philippos, in Athens last year. With her pearl necklace and diamond earrings, she wore a classic diamond cluster brooch that looks to be set with a large star sapphire. Her mother-in-law, the late Queen Friederike of the Hellenes, had a similar jewel, which is now worn by Queen Sofia of Spain.
Here’s one more look at all three royal ensembles as they greet the guests attending the performance and ceremony.
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