Queen Mathilde glitters in sentimental tiara

Queen Mathilde chose a sparkling tiara with a very personal meaning as she hosted a glittering State Banquet at the Castle of Laeken.

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians welcomed Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam to the castle at the end of the first day of his State Visit. And Queen Mathilde chose an all diamond diadem for the gala event, one that marked her move into royalty.

The President of Singapore had begun his three-day State Visit to Belgium earlier in the day when the King and Queen of the Belgians welcomed him officially to the Royal Palace in Brussels. 

Queen Mathilde made a bold fashion choice with a hot pink Christian Dior skirt suit and coordinating pillbox hat. 

For the State Dinner, Her Majesty rewore a blush pink, lace gown from Pierre Gauthier that she first wore in 2016 for a State Visit to the Netherlands. She paired the elegant gown with the Laurel Wreath Tiara. 

This diamond tiara dates back to 1912 when British jeweller Hennel & Sons created the piece. The diamond laurel wreath is punctuated by diamond berries with a velvet-covered base. 

The Association of Belgian Nobility purchased this tiara privately in 1999 and gifted it to then-Jonkvrouw Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz when she married Prince Philippe of Brabant, the heir to the Belgian throne. 

Queen Mathilde paired the brooch with Queen Fabiola’s Diamond Waterfall Brooch, and another personal piece, Mathilde’s own diamond fringe earrings.