Resplendent Royal Tiaras at Norway’s Storting Gala Dinner

Because King Harald V of Norway was on sick leave, Queen Sonja was joined by Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and Princess Astrid for the dinner. The Storting is Norway’s legislative body, with its members referred to as stortingsrepresentanter.

Crown Prince Haakon delivered the speech that had been written for his father to give during the dinner. This led to some humorous moments when Haakon had to remind those listening that it was “Harald” speaking, not him, including a reference to Harald and Sonja’s lengthy courtship: “Over 64 years ago I fell for the Queen who sits here tonight. It took years before we were allowed to get married. Since then, many people have fought for important rights that may seem obvious in retrospect.”

Queen Sonja, who is famous for recycling gala gowns from her collection, wore a dress that she’s had in her closet for more than three decades. The white gown was a lovely backdrop for the red sash of the Order of St. Olav and the red ribbon of King Harald’s Royal Family Order.

Queen Sonja’s bejeweled accessories for the dinner were set with diamonds and pearls. She wore the full setting of the replica version of Queen Maud’s Pearl Tiara. (The original was stolen in a brazen robbery in the 1990s—much more on that over here.) She paired it with another jewel from Maud’s collection: the Drapers’ Company Brooch.

She also wore five strands of pearls, plus a pearl drop pendant, and diamond and pearl drop earrings. A diamond bracelet also sparkled on Sonja’s right wrist.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s gala “gown” was actually coordinating separates: a crystal-embellished top from Biyan and a floral skirt from Lela Rose. (Thanks to UFO No More for sharing those identifications!) She too wore the insignia of the Order of St. Olav and King Harald’s Royal Family Order.

She wore pieces from Norwegian Amethyst Parure with her ensemble: the necklace, worn in its tiara setting, as well as the earrings and the bracelet. She pinned the brooch from the set near the crystal-studded neckline of her gown, making it look like a pendant as well.

The King’s sister, Princess Astrid, was pretty in pink for the gala, plus the red from the insignia of St. Olav and her brother’s Royal Family Order.

Astrid echoed the red of her decoration ribbons with her tiara choice. She wore the ruby and diamond floral aigrette that belonged to her grandmother, Queen Maud. (I did a little deep dive on these antique aigrette ornaments earlier this year. This is the one that, Astrid jokes, can pick up radio signals. She also added pearl drop earrings, a diamond necklace, a diamond bow brooch, and a gold bangle.