The holiday season is upon us, and we’ve been blessed with a truly spectacular roster of tiara events for the start of December. Today, here’s a look at some of the sparkle we can anticipate over the next two weeks!
Qatari State Banquet in Britain
On Tuesday, December 3, the Emir of Qatar and his royal consort, Sheikha Jawaher, will begin a state visit with King Charles III and Queen Camilla in London. The program of events on Tuesday includes a ceremonial welcome and a state banquet at Buckingham Palace. The King and Queen will be joined by members of the royal family for the white-tie banquet. The roster of royals at the dinner will not include the Princess of Wales, sadly, but Catherine is currently scheduled to join William during the ceremonial welcome on Tuesday morning.
The Emir will attend the traditional banquet at the Guildhall in London on Wednesday evening. He is scheduled to be joined by the Duke of Gloucester for the dinner. So far, neither Sheikha Jawaher nor the Duchess of Gloucester are on the list of expected attendees at the banquet, so I would not expect that we will see a second round of tiaras during this visit.
Omani State Banquet in Belgium
There will also be a second royal state visit in Europe next week. The King and Queen of the Belgians will welcome the Sultan of Oman to Brussels on Tuesday, December 3. The first day of this state visit program also includes a white-tie state banquet, which will be held on
Tuesday evening at the Palace of Laeken. I would expect that we’ll see Queen Mathilde in a tiara for the dinner, and perhaps also Princess Astrid, who will have by then returned from her recent economic mission to Brazil.
Incidentally, this state visit extends into luncheon on Wednesday, which is also the 25th wedding anniversary of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde. I wouldn’t be surprised if a set of new gala portraits, perhaps taken during the state banquet on Tuesday, is released to mark the milestone.
Egyptian State Banquet in Denmark
[UPDATE] It’s now been announced that there will be yet another tiara event this week! The King and Queen of Denmark will welcome the President of Egypt to Copenhagen for a state visit on December 6. That evening, a state banquet in the President’s honor will be held at Christiansborg Palace.
I think we can expect to see Queen Mary gesture toward the history between the two nations by wearing the necklace given to Queen Lovisa of Denmark by the Khedive of Egypt in 1869. Mary previously wore the earrings made from part of the necklace in Oslo in May, and I think on this occasion we’ll see her wear both pieces together, perhaps with the Pearl Poiré Tiara.
Portuguese State Banquet in the Netherlands
The second week of December will also feature a major state visit in Europe. The King and Queen of the Netherlands will welcome the President of Portugal to Amsterdam on Tuesday, December 10. The events of the first day of the visit will conclude with a state banquet at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. The Princess of Orange is scheduled to join her parents at the dinner, so we should see at least two tiaras sparkling during the banquet.
There will also be a second evening event during this state visit: a musical performance and reception hosted by President Rebelo de Sousa at KIT in Amsterdam. This return event may offer us a glimpse of some jewelry but not another tiara moment.
Nobel Prize Banquet in Sweden
Tuesday, December 10 is always a big day on the calendar for tiara lovers. Along with the state banquet sparkle in the Netherlands, we’ll be treated to dazzling tiaras during the annual Nobel Prize ceremony and banquet in Stockholm. The Swedish royal family members currently scheduled to join the King and the Queen during the celebrations are Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, Prince Carl Philip, Princess Sofia, Princess Madeleine, and Christopher O’Neill.
This is one of the most glittering nights of the year in Sweden. Expect to see Queen Silvia and Crown Princess Victoria sparkling in tiaras and decorations on stage as King Carl XVI Gustaf delivers this year’s prizes, while Princess Sofia and Princess Madeleine also wear gala jewelry in the audience seats with their spouses. The King’s sister, Princess Christina, sometimes also attends this event, in full gala attire, but her attendance hasn’t been advertised.
Nobel King’s Dinner in Sweden
The festivities in Sweden will continue on Wednesday, December 11, when King Carl XVI Gustaf holds the annual King’s Dinner for Nobel laureates at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. This is also a white-tie event with tiaras and decorations. Expect to see Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria, Princess Sofia, and Princess Madeleine all present for the dinner in their best gala jewels for the second night in a row.
Spanish Gala Dinner in Italy
[UPDATE] It’s also now been announced that the second week of December will include a Spanish state visit to Italy. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia will be officially welcomed by President Mattarella to Rome on December 11. (The royal couple will already be in Italy, having held a reception at the Spanish Embassy in Rome the previous day.) On Wednesday, Felipe and Letizia are scheduled to attend a gala dinner in the evening.
I don’t think that this will be a tiara event, because Letizia generally does not wear tiaras during visits to republican nations. We may, however, get a glimpse of some sparkling earrings or other gala jewels, perhaps pieces from the joyas de pasar collection.
Which tiara events are you most excited for in the coming weeks? Which jewels do you hope to see appear at each event?
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