As Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown, Claire Foy wears a replica of the Vladimir Tiara with pearl drops (and replicas of the Gloucester Pendant Earrings and Queen Alexandra's Wedding Necklace); compare it with the real tiara over here!
Bringing you sparkling heirloom jewels of royal and noble families from across the globe
31 October 2017
Terrifying Tales of Haunted Royal Jewels
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The Hope Diamond in its temporary "Embracing Hope" diamond and platinum setting by Harry Winston, November 2010 (PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images) |
30 October 2017
The Daily Diadem: "Queen Adelaide's Diamond Fringe"
As Queen Victoria in The Young Victoria, Emily Blunt wears a replica of Queen Adelaide's Diamond Fringe Tiara; compare it with the original over here!
(With Halloween approaching, we're judging Hollywood's costume replicas of real royal tiaras all week. If this isn't your cup of tea, never fear: the genuine article will return to this series next week.)
Birthday Jewels: Princess Margaretha of Sweden
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Princess Margaretha, ca. 1959 (Wikimedia Commons) |
Tomorrow, Princess Margaretha, Mrs. Ambler -- the eldest sister of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden -- celebrates her 83rd birthday. To kick off the festivities, I've got a post full of some of the most beautiful jewels she's worn at events in Sweden and abroad. Enjoy!
29 October 2017
The Daily Diadem: Queen Marie Amelie's Sapphire Parure Tiara
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Wikimedia Commons |
Princess Marie Isabelle d'Orleans, Countess of Paris wears the tiara and jewels from Queen Marie Amelie's sapphire parure; see the tiara, which is now owned by the Louvre, in color over here!
Jewels in Motion: Elizabeth and Philip's Engagement (1947)
In a few weeks, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary. We'll be providing an in-depth look at the jewels surrounding their wedding festivities all month, and we're kicking things off today with a look at their official engagement announcement. The photos from the engagement may feel familiar, but when seen in motion, they take on a whole new significance and warmth. Enjoy!
28 October 2017
The Daily Diadem: Princess Francoise's Turquoise Tiara
Princess Francoise d'Orleans, Princess of Greece and Denmark wears the tiara and coordinating jewels from her diamond and turquoise parure in a portrait, ca. 1922; the set was reportedly later sold
Queen Mary's Sapphire Bandeau
27 October 2017
The Daily Diadem: Queen Mercedes's Pearl and Diamond Tiara
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Wikimedia Commons |
Princess Mercedes d'Orleans, Queen of Spain wears a pearl and diamond tiara in this detail from an 1878 portrait by Manuel Ojeda y Siles; the current status of the tiara, which Mercedes wore on her wedding day, is apparently not known
This Week in Royal Jewels: October 20-26
October 20-26, 2017
We've got some truly classic sparkle this week in a supersized version of our jewelry roundup -- don't forget to vote for your favorites in the poll below!
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BENOIT DOPPAGNE/AFP/Getty Images |
15. Queen Mathilde of the Belgians wears modern golden hoop earrings to speak with the artist Christo during a visit to a new exhibition of his work in Brussels on Tuesday.
26 October 2017
The Daily Diadem: Princess Margaretha's Floral Tiara
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Grand Ladies Site |
Princess Marie d'Orleans, Princess of Denmark wears a diamond floral tiara later owned by her daughter-in-law, Princess Margaretha; more on the tiara over here!
Jewel History: Again the Pomp and Circumstance (1937)
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screencapture |
"Again the Pomp and Circumstance as His Majesty Opens Parliament"
(originally published in the Winnipeg Evening Tribune, 26 Oct 1937)
London, Oct. 26 -- "My Lords, pray be seated." King George [1], wearing the magnificent Imperial Crown and royal robes of scarlet over his military uniform, stands on a red-carpeted dais in front of two light-bathed, golden-crowned thrones in the House of Lords and opens his first session of parliament. He holds the hand of Queen Elizabeth [2], also crowned, in scarlet robes and covered with jewels that scintillate like stars over her beautiful gown of silver with flowing train.
25 October 2017
Maxima Sparkles in Eemland
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Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images |
The Daily Diadem: The Diadem of the Stars
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Wikimedia Commons |
Princess Amelie d'Orleans, Queen of Portugal wears the Diadem of the Stars, part of a diamond suite of jewelry constructed for her predecessor, Queen Maria Pia; the tiara is still part of the Portuguese crown jewel collection today
Jewels of the Princess of Asturias Awards
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Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images |
24 October 2017
The Daily Diadem: The Aosta Knots and Stars Tiara
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Grand Ladies Site |
Princess Helene d'Orleans, Duchess of Aosta wears several family jewels, including the Knots and Stars Tiara and the emerald necklace; the Aosta family still owns a version of the tiara today, while the necklace is primarily worn by Princess Astrid of Belgium
Book Review: Koh-i-Noor (2017)
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Koh-i-Noor: The History of the World's Most Infamous Diamond (Photo: The Court Jeweller) |
23 October 2017
Classic Brooches for Queen Elizabeth II
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Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty Images |
The Daily Diadem: The Guise Fleur-de-Lis Tiara
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Wikimedia Commons |
Princess Isabelle d'Orleans, Duchess of Guise wears a tiara topped by fleur-de-lis ornaments with an intricate diamond choker necklace in a portrait from around the turn of the 20th century
On the Block: Le Grand Mazarin at Christie's
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CHRIS J RATCLIFFE/AFP/Getty Images |
22 October 2017
The Daily Diadem: The Boucheron Loop Tiara
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Grand Ladies Site |
The Princess of Wales (previously the Duchess of York, later Queen Mary) wears the Boucheron Loop Tiara for a coronation-related portrait, ca. 1902; more on this lost sparkler over here!
Jewels in Motion: Karl and Zita's Wedding (1911)
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Wikimedia Commons |
Yesterday, we featured the classic tiara worn by Princess Zita of Bourbon-Parma, the last Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary, at her wedding in 1911. Today, I've got some fascinating newsreel footage from that wedding to share, including pictures of several tiara-clad guests. Put on your jewel detective hats, and enjoy seeing a piece of history in motion!
21 October 2017
The Daily Diadem: The Lotus Flower Tiara
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Wikimedia Commons |
The Duchess of York (later Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom) wears the Lotus Flower Tiara in a portrait, ca. 1925; read much more about the tiara over here!
Empress Zita's Wedding Tiara
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AFP/Getty Images |
20 October 2017
The Daily Diadem: The Iveagh Tiara
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Wikimedia Commons |
The Princess of Wales (later Queen Mary, previously the Duchess of York) wears the Iveagh Tiara in a portrait, ca. 1905; read more about this classic tiara over here!
This Week in Royal Jewels: October 13-19
October 13-19, 2017
It's been a quieter week for royal jewels, but we've still got some sparkle to enjoy! Don't forget to vote for your favorites in the poll below!
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KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP/Getty Images |
10. Queen Rania of Jordan wore a lovely pair of hoop earrings that resembled crescent moons for a meeting with Australia's Governor General in Amman on Wednesday.
19 October 2017
The Daily Diadem: The Teck Crescent Tiara
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Wikimedia Commons |
Queen Elizabeth of Canada (previously Duchess of York) wears the Teck Crescent Tiara for a dinner at Chateau Laurier in Ottawa, May 1939; learn about the tiara's story over here!
Royal Jewel Rewind: Luxembourg Royal Wedding (Part 2)
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Andreas Rentz/Getty Images |
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Royal Jewel Rewind: Luxembourg Royal Wedding (Part 1)
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Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images |
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18 October 2017
Royal Jewel Rewind: Pre-Wedding Gala in Luxembourg (Part 4)
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Guy Wolff/Grand-Ducal Court of Luxembourg via Getty Images |
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Royal Jewel Rewind: Pre-Wedding Gala in Luxembourg (Part 3)
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Guy Wolff/Grand-Ducal Court of Luxembourg via Getty Images |
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The Daily Diadem: The County of Surrey Tiara
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Wikimedia Commons |
The Duchess of Cornwall and York (later Queen Mary) wears the County of Surrey Tiara in a portrait taken in Ottawa during the 1901 royal tour of Canada; learn much more about the history of the tiara over here!
Royal Jewel Rewind: Pre-Wedding Gala in Luxembourg (Part 2)
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Guy Wolff/Grand-Ducal Court of Luxembourg via Getty Images |
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Royal Jewel Rewind: Pre-Wedding Gala in Luxembourg (Part 1)
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Guy Wolff/Grand-Ducal Court of Luxembourg via Getty Images |
17 October 2017
Camilla Sparkles at the Royal Academy of Arts
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Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images |
The Daily Diadem: The Cartier Halo Tiara
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London Express/Getty Images |
Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom, formerly Duchess of York, wears the Cartier Halo Tiara in a portrait used on commemorative stamps for her 1937 coronation; read more about this tiara's history over here!
Jewel History: The Intended Marriage of Her Majesty (1839)
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Queen Victoria in an engraving, ca. 1838 (Grand Ladies Site) |
"The Intended Marriage of Her Majesty"
(originally appeared in the Observer, 25 Nov 1839)
London, Sunday, November 24 -- Since the year 1761, when, on the 8th of July, King George III announced at a meeting of his Privy Council his intended marriage with the Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz [1], no meeting of that distinguished and important body has excited so much of public interest as that which was held yesterday at Buckingham Palace, and at which Her Majesty [2] signified her intention to contract a marriage with His Royal Highness Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. For some days, rumours as to the object of the meeting of the Privy Council had been publicly circulated [3], and, in consequence, before twelve o'clock, numbers of well-dressed persons, among whom were a large number of females, began congregating themselves in St. James's Park, in the vicinity of the palace.
16 October 2017
Women's Royal Naval Service Celebration Jewels
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Alastair Grant - WPA Pool/Getty Images |
The Daily Diadem: The York Diamond Tiara
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Image licensed to The Court Jeweller; DO NOT REPRODUCE. |
Sarah, Duchess of York wears her diamond wedding tiara for a banquet given by King Fahd of Saudi Arabia at Claridge's in London, March 1987; the tiara, a gift from the Queen and Prince Philip, remained Sarah's personal property after her divorce
Paddington Pink Jewels for Kate
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Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool/Getty Images |
Unique Royal Engagement Rings
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Niels Henrik Dam/Getty Images, Chris Jackson/Getty Images, Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images |
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15 October 2017
The Daily Diadem: Queen Amelie's Emerald Tiara
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Grand Ladies Site |
Queen Amelie of Portugal wears her suite of emerald jewels, including a striking tiara, in a portrait photograph taken in the early years of her marriage; the tiara and necklace were last seen in public in the 1960s, and its current whereabouts are apparently unknown
Jewels in Motion: Jubilee Tiaras in Brunei
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ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images |
Last weekend, a glittering Golden Jubilee celebration took place in Brunei, honoring the fifty-year reign of Hassanal Bolkiah, the 29th Sultan of Brunei. The festivities included a banquet with lots of tiaras, and I've got a whole post's worth of them glittering -- in motion! -- for you today.
Three notes! First: many of these GIFs contain flash photography. Second: don't take this post as an endorsement of the politics of some of the rulers and regions shown. (That should really go for many posts on the blog, really.) And finally, because I know I'll get asked -- I don't have any more information, provenance or otherwise, on the individual tiaras than I'm sharing in the post.
14 October 2017
The Daily Diadem: The Dutch Sapphire Parure Tiara
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Robin Utrecht-Pool/Getty Images |
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands wears a slightly smaller version of the family's grand sapphire tiara at the inauguration of her husband, King Willem-Alexander, April 2013; read all about this fascinating tiara over here!
Empress Farah's Floral Tiara
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Wikimedia Commons |
13 October 2017
The Daily Diadem: The Braganza Floral Necklace Tiara
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Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images |
Dona Isabel, Duchess of Braganza wears a diamond floral necklace set on a tiara frame at a state banquet for the Spanish royals in Guimaraes, November 2016
This Week in Royal Jewels: October 6-12
October 6-12, 2017
Get ready for an extra sparkly week of royal jewels! Don't forget to vote for your favorites in the poll below! (Also: please note that this post features some GIFs that include flash photography.)
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ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/Getty Images |
10. For her wedding to Philip of Serbia, son of Crown Prince Alexander, Danica Marinkovic wore a demi-parure of diamond and emerald jewels, plus scattered pearls in her hair. (Much more over here!)