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Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World

Reader Mailbag: Wedding Tiaras in Copenhagen

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In last week’s post on Princess Beatrix’s wedding tiara, I mentioned that she was one of several royal women who wore their own wedding tiaras at the crown princely wedding in Denmark in 2004. Reader BlueSaphire70 asked for a post on those tiaras — and here you have it!

Beatrix of the Netherlands wears the Württemberg Ornate Pearl Tiara in 1966 and in 2004

The Countess of Wessex her wedding tiara in 1999 and in 2004

Infanta Cristina of Spain wears the Spanish Floral Tiara in 1997 and in 2004

Princess Claire of Belgium wears her wedding tiara in 2003 and in 2004

Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg wears the Alexandrine Diamond Drop Tiara in 1995 and in 2004

Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway wears her wedding tiara in 2001 and in 2004

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands wears her wedding tiara in 2002 and in 2004

Infanta Elena of Spain wears the Marichalar Meander Tiara in 1995 and in 2004

And (as a bonus) Princess Madeleine of Sweden wears the Modern Fringe Tiara as a necklace in 2004 and a wedding tiara in 2013

This Week in Royal Jewels: February 26-March 3

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February 26-March 3, 2016

It was a light week for royal jewelry, but two bright, colorful pieces managed to steal the show. Be sure to vote for your favorites in the poll!

10. Princess Charlene of Monaco wore pearl stud earrings to accompany Prince Albert and Prince Jacques to the Sainte Devote Rugby Tournament on Saturday.

9. Queen Letizia of Spain chose glittering starburst-shaped drop earrings for the Rare Diseases World Day Event in Madrid on Thursday.

8. In Belgium, Queen Mathilde also chose what appears to be a lovely pair of drop earrings to visit a military hospital; unfortunately, her hair obscures their full shape/material in every picture I’ve found. Drat!

7. Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway wore a pendant necklace during a visit to Alna on Tuesday.

6. Queen Elizabeth II received credentials from new ambassadors on Wednesday wearing her usual daytime jewelry uniform: pearl and diamond studs, pearl necklace, and brooch. It’s tough to see this one, but I think it might be the Pearl Trefoil.

5. Queen Mathilde wore a pair of colorful purple and red earrings to visit Turnhout on Friday.

4. The Bernadottes gathered on Thursday for a service of thanksgiving following the birth of Prince Oscar, the newborn son of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel. Queen Silvia wore earrings and a brooch, while Princess Sofia, expecting her own baby next month, wore a lovely pair of drop earrings. (Pearls, perhaps?)

3. Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark are on a visit to the Middle East this week. On Thursday in Qatar, Mary wore a lovely pair of pearl earrings.

2. At a Queen’s Trust event in London on Thursday, Queen Elizabeth II wore her diamond and pink sapphire brooch.

1. My top vote of the week goes to Crown Princess Mary, who wore her Annikat earrings while in Qatar, The gorgeous earrings are set with large blue topazes bordered by diamonds and sapphires.

Saturday Sparkler: The de Tornos Turquoise Tiara

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Even when you’re marrying a royal groom who isn’t technically royal anymore, you need a serious tiara. This is perhaps even more true when you’re marrying the man who is the heir to the headship of the House of Orléans (and therefore will eventually be one of the pretenders to the French throne). This turquoise and diamond tiara, the de Tornos Tiara, was the tiara of choice for Philomena de Tornos y Steinhart, who married the Duke of Vendôme in 2009.

While some royal brides wear tiaras from their new marital families on their wedding days, noble brides who have access to tiaras from their own family’s collection often sport those sparklers instead. This tiara, a modified fringe made of alternating, spaced spikes of diamonds and turquoises, comes from Philomena’s family, not the Orléans vaults.

Philomena is descended from Spanish nobles; her grandfather was the private secretary of the Count of Barcelona, who was the grandfather of the current king of Spain. The turquoise tiara was lent to Philomena by her aunt, María del Mar de Tornos y Zubiria. The sparkler, which is a de Tornos heirloom, apparently dates to the early nineteenth century.

It’s unusual, but not unprecedented, to see a royal bride wear a tiara with colored stones on her wedding day. Philomena’s wedding dress was also more colorful than many bridal gowns; it was designed to mimic fabrics hanging at the Palace of Versailles. Since marrying Prince Jean, Philomena has returned the turquoise tiara to her aunt, and now largely wears jewels from the Orléans collection.

Perhaps we should play a little game of “redesign it” in the comments?