Royal Sapphires, Diamonds, and Pearls for the Opening of Denmark’s Parliament

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark arrived at Christiansborg Palace for the official opening of the Folketing, Denmark’s parliament.

She was joined by three senior members of the royal family, including the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Frederik.

Frederik’s wife, Crown Princess Mary, was in attendance as well, as was Margrethe’s younger sister, Princess Benedikte.

All four watched the opening from a gallery in the chamber.

For the ceremony, Queen Margrethe wore a bright blue dress and jacket with a coordinating hat.

Margrethe wore blue jewels with the ensemble as well. Her earrings, which are made of white gold and set with diamonds and tanzanites, were given to Margrethe during her visit to Tanzania in 2008. She also pinned a small brooch to her jacket, made of silver and set with diamonds and cabochon sapphires. The brooch comes from the collection of Margrethe’s paternal grandmother, Queen Alexandrine of Denmark.

We recently saw Margrethe wear the same brooch during the celebrations for her 83rd birthday at Amalienborg in April 2023.

On Tuesday, Margrethe used a pair of pearl-tipped pins to secure her hat. You’ll also spot an interesting ring on her right hand.

Here’s a closer look. The ring appears to be made from yellow gold, and there’s a blue-toned element in the center of the jewel.

Margrethe wore the same ring during her April 2023 birthday celebrations as well.

Crown Princess Mary was elegant in ivory tweed with a black picture hat and accessories.

She wore a pair of pearl drop earrings with intricate diamond studs. She also wore a pair of gold necklaces and bracelets on both wrists (pearls on the left, Cartier Love Bracelet on the right).

Princess Benedikte also wore tweed, but in shades of her favorite purple. She added a purple hat to the ensemble as well.

She wore a beaded necklace, diamond and pearl cluster earrings, and a gorgeous little diamond and pearl cluster brooch.

If my records are correct, I believe this brooch is the same small pearl cluster worn by Benedikte’s great-grandmother, the Duchess of Connaught. The brooch is pinned at her throat in this portrait, taken after she received an honorary doctorate in music from Trinity College Dublin in 1904.

Benedikte has been wearing the brooch for years. Here, she wears it for a ceremony commemorating the end of World War II in Europe in May 2005. (Love that emerald ring, too!)

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And we’ve also seen her use the brooch as the clasp of a pearl necklace. This photo shows Benedikte wearing it in that setting for a fancy dress party during the celebrations of the King and Queen of Sweden’s silver wedding anniversary in June 2001.