The Daily Diadem: The Danish Emerald Parure Tiara

Julien M. Hekimian/Getty Images

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark wears the tiara and jewels from the family's emerald parure at a gala in honor of her 70th birthday in Copenhagen, April 2010; read more about the parure over here!

Introducing: The Court Jeweller Book Club!

I've written reviews of books about royalty, history, and jewelry here at The Court Jeweller for years, and today, I'm launching a much-requested new feature: The Court Jeweller Book Club!

The Daily Diadem: The Chaumet Emerald Tiara

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg wears the family's Chaumet Emerald Tiara for the Nobel Prize Banquet in Stockholm, 10 December 2011; learn more about the tiara over here!

The Gloucester Pearl and Emerald Suite

The Duchess of Gloucester attends the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's pre-wedding gala in London, 28 April 2011 (Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)

As May transitions to June, we're shifting focus from the shining green emerald to the luminous pearl. What could be better to mark the change than a look at a set of jewelry set with both? Today, we're focusing on the fascinating pearl and emerald jewels that have been worn by two Duchesses of Gloucester.

The Daily Diadem: The Greek Emerald Parure Tiara

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Queen Anne-Marie of Greece wears the family's emerald tiara and jewels from the accompanying parure for the wedding of her nephew, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, 14 May 2004; learn more about this remarkable suite of jewels over here!

Even More Danish Birthday Celebration Jewels

Ole Jensen/Getty Images

This weekend, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark celebrated his 50th birthday with a grand gala at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen. We covered all of the royal tiaras present at the event in a big post over here, and today, we've got even better views of some royal pieces on display!

The Daily Diadem: The Norwegian Emerald Parure Tiara

HEIKO JUNGE/AFP/Getty Images

Queen Sonja of Norway wears the family's grand emerald parure tiara at the joint 80th birthday celebration for her and her husband, King Harald V, 9 May 2017; more on the historic tiara over here!

Jewel History: The Royal Wedding at Berlin (1888)

The wedding ceremony of Prince Heinrich of Prussia and Princess Irene of Hesse and by Rhine at Charlottenburg Palace, 24 May 1888. The bride and groom are visible in the lower left-hand corner; the groom's parents, Emperor Friedrich III and Empress Victoria, are at the upper left of the image. The groom's brother, the future Kaiser Wilhelm II, is visible among the crowd of guests (Grand Ladies Site)

"The Royal Wedding at Berlin"

(originally appeared in the Graphic, 2 June 1888)

The wedding of Prince Henry of Prussia [1], the younger son of the German Emperor [2] and Empress [3], with Princess Irene of Hesse [4], the third daughter of the Grand Duke of Hesse [5] and the late Princess Alice [6], was celebrated last week in the chapel of the Charlottenburg Palace [7]. 

The ceremony was comparatively private, owing to the Emperor's health, but was nevertheless attended with all due Royal pomp, while a number of princely guests were present, including the Prince of Wales [8] and the Crown Prince of Greece [9]. The chapel in which the service was celebrated, however, was too small to accommodate many guests, being intended to hold only forty persons, though, by removing the seats, room was made for a larger number. The interior of the chapel, which dates to 1708, is ornamented in rococo style, and for the occasion the walls were beautifully decorated with roses. 

The Daily Diadem: The Alexandrine Diamond Drop Tiara

FINN FRANDSEN/AFP/Getty Images

Princess Alexandra of Denmark (now Countess Alexandra of Frederiksborg) wears the Alexandrine Diamond Drop Tiara on her wedding day in Hillerød, 18 November 1995; see the tiara in detail over here!

The Duchess of Cornwall's Antique Gold Bow Brooch

Chris J Ratcliffe - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Our royal brooch spotlight this weekend is shining on another grand brooch from the Duchess of Cornwall's collection: this lovely golden bow with bright blue pendant drops.

Tiaras for Crown Prince Frederik's 50th Birthday

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark ride in a carriage through the streets of Copenhagen during Frederik's 50th birthday festivities, 26 May 2018 (BAX LINDHARDT/AFP/Getty Images)

Royals gathered at Christiansborg Palace in Denmark today to mark the 50th birthday of Crown Prince Frederik with a white-tie gala. You know what that means -- tiaras!

The Daily Diadem: The Diamond Vine Leaves Tiara

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Princess Claire of Luxembourg wears the Diamond Vine Leaves Tiara on her wedding day in Saint-Maximin-La-Sainte-Baume, 21 September 2013; read more about this lovely sparkler over here!

The York Diamond Tiara

The Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson on their wedding day, 23 July 1986 (Photo licensed to The Court Jeweller; DO NOT REPRODUCE)

When many people think about royal weddings, two of them immediately spring to mind: the big royal nuptial bashes held in Britain in the 1980s. Today, let’s look at the bridal tiara worn to the second of those weddings — the sparkler worn by Sarah, Duchess of York.

The Daily Diadem: The Antique Corsage Tiara

Nikolas Kominis - Pool/Getty Images

Tatiana of Greece and Denmark wears the Antique Corsage Tiara on her wedding day in Spetses, 25 August 2010; read more about this heirloom tiara over here!

This Week in Royal Jewels: May 18-24

May 18-24, 2018

We've surveyed this week's best royal wedding jewels -- now it's time for the best of the rest! Don't forget to vote for your favorites in the poll below!

Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images

20. During her recent trip to the Dominican Republic, Queen Letizia of Spain wore her Coolook black and white onyx earrings as she visited a center for Integral Care for Disability on Monday.

This Week in Royal Wedding Jewels: May 18-24

May 18-24, 2018

We have an embarrassment of royal jewel riches on our hands today, magpies -- so the only solution is to do two polls! This post features just jewels worn at Saturday's British royal wedding. Don't forget to vote for your favorites in the poll -- and to come back here later today for the best of the rest of the royal jewels worn this week!

ANDREW MATTHEWS/AFP/Getty Images

10. The Duchess of Cambridge wore earrings by her favorite designer, Kiki McDonough, and a large right-hand ring to acquire a new sister-in-law at St. George's Chapel on Saturday.

The Daily Diadem: The Akishino Tiara

The Princess Akishino wears her diamond tiara during her wedding celebrations in Tokyo, 29 June 1990; learn all about the tiara over here!

Celebrating Princess Marie's Wedding Jewels

Princess Marie and Prince Joachim on their wedding day, 24 May 2008 (JEPPE MICHAEL JENSEN/AFP/Getty Images)

Today marks the tenth wedding anniversary of Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark. They probably won't be doing a lot of milestone celebrating today -- Danes put more emphasis on the 12.5 anniversary (halfway to 25 years) than the tenth -- but we're marking the anniversary today with a roundup of our posts on the jewels of their royal wedding. Enjoy!

State Visit Jewels: The Stuart Tiara Reappears!

Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands are in Luxembourg for a state visit this week, and Maxima took the opportunity to debut a highly-anticipated jewel: the magnificent Stuart Tiara!

The Daily Diadem: Princess Sofia's Palmette Tiara

Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

Princess Sofia of Sweden wears her diamond palmette tiara in its emerald coronet setting on her wedding day in Stockholm, 13 June 2015; read more about the versatile tiara over here!

On the Block: The Farnese Blue Diamond

The Farnese Blue Diamond is shown during an auction preview at Sotheby's in London, 6 April 2018 (Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Sotheby's)

In the middle of all of last week's royal wedding hoopla, a major royal jewel auction took place at Sotheby's in Geneva. An important gray-blue diamond, the Farnese Blue, was sold after centuries in royal hands.

The Daily Diadem: Princess Mabel's Wedding Tiara

Michel Porro/Getty Images

Princess Mabel of Orange-Nassau wears a family heirloom tiara set with large diamonds on her wedding day in Delft, 24 April 2004; see more images of the tiara over here!

Birthday Celebration Jewels at Buckingham Palace

The Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend the Prince of Wales's 70th Birthday Patronage Celebration, 22 May 2018 (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

The new Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at Buckingham Palace this morning for the Prince of Wales's 70th Birthday Patronage Celebration. Here's a look at the jewels that Camilla and Meghan wore for the big bash.

Jewel History: Aristocratic Primrose Diamonds (1898)

The Boucheron-made diamond tiara that belonged to Consuelo Vanderbilt during her tenure as Duchess of Marlborough; read more about the piece over here

"The Duchess of Marlborough's Recent Reception"

(originally appeared in the New York Times, 22 May 1898)

The Duchess of Marlborough's [1] recent reception at the Grafton Galleries [2] proved a fashionable affair. The pretty rooms were at their best and full of flowers, as well as of pretty and smart people.

The Duchess wore primrose satin in honor of the day [3], and a knot of pink malmaisons; on her head was a crown of diamonds, and a zone of the same stones clasped her waist, while strings of pearls fell around her neck, beneath a deep collar of pearls. Near her was Lady Blandford [4], not in her usual gray, but in heliotrope velvet worn over pink and softened with an edge of chinchilla, and Lady Norah Churchill [5] was in white satin, with lilies of the valley.

Royal Jewels at the Chelsea Flower Show

The Countess of Wessex attends the Chelsea Flower Show press preview, 21 May 2018 (Chris Jackson - WPA Rota/Getty Images)

After the excitement of last weekend's royal wedding, the British royals attended a calmer annual engagement: the Press Day preview of the Chelsea Flower Show. Unsurprisingly, we had a few floral jewels on display.

Official Sussex Wedding Photos

Alexi Lubomirski/The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

Kensington Palace has just released a trio of official photographs from this weekend's royal wedding, including the family photograph above, which features the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Doria Ragland, and the rest of the couple's bridesmaids and pageboys.

The Daily Diadem: Princess Claire's Wedding Tiara

Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Princess Claire of Belgium wears a small diamond tiara on her wedding day in Brussels, 12 April 2003; read more about the tiara over here!

Royal Jewel Rewind: Felipe and Letizia's Pre-Wedding Gala, Part 2 (2004)

Alberto Martin/POOL/Getty Images

Here's the second half of our flashback to the jewels worn at King Felipe and Queen Letizia's pre-wedding gala, held fourteen years ago today at the Royal Palace of El Pardo! (Head over here to catch up if you missed part one!)

Royal Jewel Rewind: Felipe and Letizia's Pre-Wedding Gala, Part 1 (2004)

ALBERTO MARTIN/AFP/Getty Images

We've been awash in British royal wedding bliss over the past few days, but today, we're hopping in our time machine and turning the clock back fourteen years, to survey the jewels worn at the gala held the night before King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain's royal wedding. Here's the first part of our royal jewel flashback -- stop back later today for part two!

The Daily Diadem: The Mitsukoshi Emerald and Diamond Tiara

A diamond and emerald tiara is displayed at the flagship Mitsukoshi department store in Tokyo, 28 November 2006; the tiara, set with 19.65ct emeralds and 62.44ct diamonds, went on sale on 2 January 2007 for 50 million yen (which was around 420,000 USD)

The Dorset Bow Brooch

Queen Elizabeth II wears the Dorset Bow Brooch at the Royal Film Performance, 27 October 1952 (Reg Speller/Fox Photos/Getty Images)

It's difficult to think of a modern royal who has a collection of brooches as vast as the one that belongs to Queen Elizabeth II. While some see these small baubles as old-fashioned relics of the past, Elizabeth continues to wear brooches as a part of her daily uniform. She uses them to remember special occasions, to recognize history, and to acknowledge contributions. The brooches might not be very big, but they pack a major symbolic punch. Today's brooch, the Dorset Bow Brooch, is one that has been in HM's jewelry box for nearly seven decades.

The Duchess of Sussex's Wedding Reception Jewels

Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The new Duke and Duchess of Sussex had a costume change after their wedding breakfast at Windsor Castle, swapping out their wedding duds for evening attire -- and a very sentimental piece of jewelry!

Bejeweled Close-Ups: Meghan's Wedding Tiara

Royal Collection Trust via Getty Images

The Royal Collection Trust has generously provided hi-res handout photographs of Queen Mary's Diamond Bandeau, which the new Duchess of Sussex wore this morning for her wedding. You know what that means -- it's bejeweled close-up time!

Royal Jewels at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Wedding

ANDREW MILLIGAN/AFP/Getty Images

The Windsors showed up in droves today at St. George's Chapel to watch the Duke and Duchess of Sussex exchange vows and rings. Here's a look at the jewels that the royals wore for the big celebration!

The Duchess of Sussex's Bridal Jewels

Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are officially married, so it's time to marvel at the sparkle of the new Duchess of Sussex's wedding jewels!

Royal Wedding Live Post!

Royal wedding souvenirs are displayed in Windsor, May 2018 (Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

Morning, magpies! I'm scheduling this post so that it will be published at midnight (central time) as usual on the day of the royal wedding. It's finally here! We're going to use this post as a place where you can discuss the wedding as it happens.

The Daily Diadem: Princess Andrew's Meander Tiara

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Zara Phillips wears Princess Andrew's Meander Tiara at her wedding to Mike Tindall, July 2011; read more about her great-grandmother's tiara over here!


Get ready -- our Court Jeweller royal wedding live post launches in 12 hours! Let us know in the comments if you'll be watching the wedding here with your fellow magpies!

This Week in Royal Jewels: May 11-17

May 11-17, 2018

While the world's been consumed with royal wedding fever, the rest of the royals have still been out wearing jewelry! Don't forget to vote for your favorites in the poll below!

Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images

15. Princess Mabel of Orange-Nassau chose dark earrings and a delicate necklace for the Red Ribbon Concert organized by the AIDS2018 organizations in Amsterdam on Wednesday.

The Daily Diadem: The Cartier Halo Tiara

Adrian Dennis - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Catherine Middleton wears the Cartier Halo Tiara at her wedding to the Duke of Cambridge, April 2011; read more about the tiara over here!

Meghan Markle's Best Jewelry Moments

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce their engagement, 27 November 2017 (DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)

In a few days, Meghan Markle will become a member of the royal family, and her access to impressive pieces of jewelry will skyrocket. Before she takes the plunge, though, let's look back at some of her best pre-wedding jewelry moments!

The Daily Diadem: Lady Frederick's Wedding Tiara

John Stillwell/WPA Pool/Getty Images

Sophie Winkleman wears a tiara and (a matching comb attachment for her veil) at her wedding to Lord Frederick Windsor, September 2009; I don't think we've ever heard any additional information about either jewel

The Top Ten: British Royal Wedding Tiaras

Counting down our top ten British royal wedding tiaras (Chris Jackson/Getty Images, AFP/Getty Images, DYLAN MARTINEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

As Saturday approaches, royal watchers' eyes are primed to see which tiara -- if any! -- Meghan Markle may choose to wear with her bridal ensemble. While we speculate over the possibilities, I've compiled my list of the top ten tiaras worn by British royal brides. Please share your own top ten lists in the comments below!

The Daily Diadem: The Iveagh Tiara

Photo licensed to The Court Jeweller. DO NOT REPRODUCE.

Lady Rose Windsor wears the Iveagh Tiara at her wedding to George Gilman, July 2008; read more about the tiara's history over here!

Royal Brides at St. George's Chapel

William Powell Frith's painting of the marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales at St. George's Chapel, 1863 (Wikimedia Commons)

On Saturday, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will become the latest in a long line of royal couples married at St. George's Chapel, the castle chapel of Windsor Castle. The chapel is a special spot: it's the chapel of the Order of the Garter, and it's also a royal peculiar, which means it's under the direct jurisdiction of the monarch, not a particular diocese. Although it's officially titled a "chapel," the building is huge, seating hundreds of people, and it houses the burial places of numerous monarchs and royals. Today, we're looking at the royal (and almost-royal) weddings that have taken place within the chapel's walls.

The Daily Diadem: Princess Anne's Festoon Tiara

IAN MCILGORM/AFP/Getty Images

Autumn Kelly wears Princess Anne's Festoon Tiara at her wedding to Peter Phillips, May 2008; learn more about the tiara, a loan from her mother-in-law, here!

Colorful Royal Wedding Tiaras

Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy and Clotilde Courau leave the church after their wedding in Rome, September 2003 (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

One of my suggestions for a bridal tiara for Meghan Markle, the Queen Mother's Cartier Bandeau, can be worn in settings featuring rubies, emeralds, or sapphires. If she chooses a colorful sparkler for her royal wedding day, she'd be joining an exclusive club of royal brides. Here's a look at some of the most colorful tiaras worn by royal brides.

The Daily Diadem: The Countess of Ulster's Wedding Tiara

Photo licensed to The Court Jeweller. DO NOT REPRODUCE.

Claire Booth wears a diamond tiara at her wedding to the Earl of Ulster, June 2002; the tiara apparently comes from the collection of her mother-in-law, the Duchess of Gloucester