The Tiarapedia: Denmark
Below is a list of the tiaras worn by the women of the main line of Denmark’s royal family; it includes only the tiaras currently worn by the family, not historical tiaras or tiaras whose ownership is currently uncertain. Click on the title of the tiara to be taken to pages with fuller histories, large images, and much more information. Enjoy!
(PLEASE NOTE: The text and images on this website MAY NOT be reproduced for any reason without the permission of the writer.)
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The Alexandrine Diamond Drop Tiara: A delicate, compact art nouveau tiara made of pointed, multi-level arches dripping with small pear-shaped diamond pendants, creating a “shivering” effect as the wearer moves. Made around 1912 for Queen Alexandrine of Denmark. Given to Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg as a wedding present by Queen Margrethe II. Worn by Queen Margrethe II and Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg. Worn as a wedding tiara by Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg.
The Baden Palmette Tiara: A small diamond tiara composed of palmette motifs, which join together to form heart shapes, and small diamond flowers at the base. Made in the 19th century by Koch for Grand Duchess Louise of Baden. Inherited by Queen Margrethe II from Queen Ingrid in 2000. Worn by Grand Duchess Louise of Baden, Queen Margrethe II, Princess Benedikte, and Princess Alexandra of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg.
The Danish Emerald Parure Tiara: Made of curling, scrolling diamond ribbons interspersed with square-cut emeralds. Part of the Danish crown jewel collection, so it may not be taken out of the country, is only worn by queens (regnant or consort), and it is displayed at Rosenborg Castle when not worn. Made by C.M. Weisshaupt in 1840 on commission from King Christian VIII, using a number of gemstones that had been owned by the Danish royal family since the 18th century. Worn by Queen Caroline Amalie, Queen Louise, Queen Lovisa, Queen Alexandrine, Queen Ingrid, and Queen Margrethe II.
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The Danish Ruby Parure Tiara: A full, tall wreath tiara in a naturalistic style, made of gathered, pave-set diamond leaves and interspersed ruby berries. Began as a pair of hair ornaments, part of the ruby parure made by an unknown French jeweler and worn by Desiree Clary (later Queen of Sweden) at the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte. Transformed into a narrow bandeau for Queen Alexandrine. Later renovated as a fuller wreath tiara for Queen Ingrid. Adjusted in size and profile in 2010 by Queen Mary. Bequeathed to King Frederik X and his future wife by Queen Ingrid in 2000. Worn by Queen Desideria of Sweden, Queen Josefina of Sweden, Queen Lovisa, Queen Alexandrine, Queen Ingrid, Princess Benedikte, and Queen Mary.
The Flora Danica Tiara: A diadem of three stylized silver lilies with diamond centers, set above a base of round amethyst beads. Designed in 2011 by Anja Blinkenberg for Flora Danica, with input from Princess Marie. Worn exclusively by Princess Marie via a long-term loan from Flora Danica.
The Floral Aigrette: A trio of branch-like diamond floral hair ornaments, composed of a series of leaves and blossoms with sections set en tremblant, that can be set on a traditional tiara frame or worn separately/together in various configurations. Made in the 1950s and owned by the Danish tenor Lauritz Melchior. Subsequently purchased at auction in 1963 by King Frederik IX. Given by Queen Ingrid to Queen Margrethe II in 1985. Now belongs to the Danish Royal Property Trust. Worn by Queen Ingrid and Queen Margrethe II.
The Golden Poppies: An unusual gold headpiece, attached at the back of the wearer’s head by a comb, that features a scattering of golden poppies studded with aquamarines, moonstones, and opals, and bejeweled insects. Accompanied by additional coordinating pieces to form a suite. Commissioned in 1976 by Queen Margrethe II and made by Arje Griegst. Worn by Queen Margrethe II.
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The Midnight Tiara: A modern tiara featuring diamond and moonstone “berries” nestled among leaves of rose gold, white gold, and oxidized silver. Created in 2009 by Charlotte Lynggaard and additional artists from Ole Lynggaard Copenhagen. Worn exclusively by Queen Mary on a long-term loan from Ole Lynggaard Copenhagen.
The Naasut Tiara: A modern golden floral tiara, studded with diamonds and rubies, whose name translates to “flowers from Greenland. Made by Nicolai Appel using gold sourced from melted-down Greenlandic coins. Presented to Queen Margrethe II by the people of Greenland to mark her Ruby Jubilee in 2012. Worn by Queen Margrethe II.
The Nuits Claires Tiara: A modern diamond and sapphire tiara featuring floral motifs and a pear-shaped central sapphire element. Made in 2018 by Maison Mauboussin in Paris with extensive input from Princess Marie. Worn by Princess Marie.
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The Pearl Poiré Tiara: A classic tiara made of diamonds arch and trefoil elements, set with eighteen pear-shaped (or “poiré”) pendant pearls, resting atop a detailed, diamond-set base. Presented as a wedding gift in 1825 to Princess Louise of Prussia on her marriage to Prince Frederick of the Netherlands. Inherited in 1870 by Queen Louise of Sweden; a few months later, inherited by her daughter, Queen Lovisa. Placed in the Danish Royal Property Trust by Queen Lovisa in her will and now passed directly from monarch to monarch in Denmark. Worn by Princess Louise of the Netherlands, Queen Lovisa, Queen Alexandrine, Queen Ingrid, Princess Margaretha, Queen Margrethe II, and Queen Mary.
Princess Dagmar’s Floral Tiara: A classic tiara, set in diamonds, with a floral motif and a dotted base. Provenance uncertain. Bequeathed by Princess Dagmar to King Frederik IX in 1961. Given by King Frederik IX to Queen Margrethe II. On permanent loan to Princess Marie. Worn by Princess Dagmar, Queen Margrethe II, Princess Nathalie of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, and Princess Marie. Worn as a wedding tiara by Princess Marie.
Princess Helena’s Diamond Bandeau: A petite bandeau with a laurel-leaf border surrounding a geometric arrangement of diamonds. Bequeathed by Princess Helena to Princess Caroline-Mathilde, and worn by her descendants today. Worn by Princess Helena, Princess Alexandra Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein, and Countess Sussie of Rosenborg.
Princess Thyra’s Sapphire Tiara: Five elaborate diamond wreath elements, each studded with a central sapphire (able to be swapped out for a turquoise), interspersed with smaller diamond floral elements, set on a simple diamond base. Provenance uncertain. Bequeathed by Princess Thyra to Princess Caroline-Mathilde in 1945. Passed to Princess Elisabeth in the 1960s. Worn by Princess Thyra, Princess Caroline-Mathilde, and Princess Elisabeth.
Queen Alexandrine’s Diamond Bandeau: A small diamond bandeau, featuring wave, dot, and leaf designs. Given to Queen Alexandrine as a silver wedding anniversary present by King Christian X in 1923. Presented to Princess Elisabeth as a confirmation gift. Worn by Princess Elisabeth and Countess Josephine of Rosenborg.
Queen Alexandrine’s Fringe Tiara: A tiara of sparsely-set diamond fringe elements interspersed by very short diamond spikes. Belonged to Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna of Russia and inherited by her daughter, Queen Alexandrine. Bequeathed to Prince Knud and Queen Caroline-Mathilde in 1952, and worn by their descendants today. Worn by Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna of Russia, Queen Alexandrine, Princess Caroline-Mathilde, Princess Elisabeth, and Countess Sussie of Rosenborg.
Queen Alexandrine’s Sapphire Tiara: A tiara of diamond scrolls and diamond and sapphire clusters, originally convertible for wear as a necklace. Possibly Russian in origin. Bequeathed by Queen Alexandrine to Prince Knud and Princess Caroline-Mathilde in 1952, and worn by their descendants today. Worn by Princess Caroline-Mathilde, Princess Elisabeth, and Countess Anne Dorte of Rosenborg.
Queen Alexandrine’s Sapphire Tiara: A tiara of diamond scrolls and diamond and sapphire clusters, originally convertible for wear as a necklace. Possibly Russian in origin. Bequeathed by Queen Alexandrine to Prince Knud and Princess Caroline-Mathilde in 1952, and worn by their descendants today. Worn by Princess Caroline-Mathilde, Princess Elisabeth, and Countess Anne Dorte of Rosenborg.
Queen Mary’s Edwardian Tiara: A tiara made of gold and silver and set with old mine-cut and rose-cut diamonds, as well as rubies and spinels, in small floral patterns; able to be removed from its frame and worn as a necklace. Made during the first decade of the 20th century. Acquired by Queen Mary, likely at auction, around 2012. Worn by Queen Mary.
Queen Mary’s Wedding Tiara: A small diamond tiara, able to be removed from its frame and worn as a necklace, featuring alternating short and tall sections topped with round brilliants, the shorter made of fleur-de-lis elements and the taller made of adjoining scrolls that resemble hearts. Adapted around 2010 to be worn alternately with round pearls in place of the round brilliant toppers atop the fleur-de-lis elements and with an additional row of pearls at the base. Given to Queen Mary as a wedding present by Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik of Denmark in 2004. Worn by Queen Mary. Worn as a wedding tiara by Queen Mary.
The Turquoise Daisy Bandeau: A bandeau of small turquoise, pearl, and diamond flowers with petals, often identified as daisies (though sometimes also referred to as other flowers). Originally owned by Crown Princess Margareta of Sweden, and inherited by her daughter, Queen Ingrid, in 1920. Inherited by Queen Margrethe II in 2000. Worn by Queen Ingrid, Crown Princess Märtha of Norway, Princess Desiree of Sweden, Madeleine Tengbom, Queen Margrethe II, Princess Alexandra of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, Princess Nathalie of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, and Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark.