Sweden

The steel of Sweden: the unusual tiaras that sparkle in the Bernadotte collection

The Swedish Royal Family has a knack for jewellery, and that’s especially true of their steel tiaras. There are two steel cut tiaras in their vault: the Steel Cut Tiara and the Steel Cut Bandeau. The Cut Steel Tiara dates back to Queen Hortense of Holland’s time—she was the granddaughter of Empress Joséphine—and lived as queen consort between 1806 and 1810. The steel tiara is…
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Norway

An ultra modern tiara for a very modern queen

One of Queen Sonja’s most modern and unique tiaras was a gift from her husband on her 60th birthday. In 1997, Queen Sonja was presented with the Modern Gold Tiara, crafted by Millie Behrens. The tiara features golden strips of metal set with diamonds in the spacing and…
Denmark

The golden tiara that marked a Ruby Jubilee

Queen Margrethe received a special tiara to mark her Ruby Jubilee in 2012, a golden gift from the people of Greenland. The Naasut Tiara (Naasut is the Greenlandic word for ‘flowers’) is created of golden floral elements with diamonds featured as well. Queen Margrethe was presented with the Naasut Tiara by the Inatsisartut (or Parliament) of Greenland at an official ceremony in the summer…
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Features

The mysterious death of England's second King William

In August 1100, England’s second King William died in strange circumstances and was buried quietly at Winchester Cathedral. Meanwhile, his younger brother, Henry, hastened to London to claim power. What really happened to the king? Today we’re looking at a royal…
Sweden

Causes close to a jubilee King's heart

As King Carl XVI Gustaf celebrates his Golden Jubilee, let’s look at some of the causes close to his heart. The Swedish Royal House website lists the environment, nature and conservation, Scouting, technology and cars, art, music, food and sports among the causes the…
Spain

Spain's king and queen are all smiles with their daughters ahead of big changes

The Spanish Royal Family posed for their annual summer photocall in Palma as an autumn full of changes awaits its members. King Felipe, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía visited the Alfàbia Gardens, an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. Casa de S.M. el Rey The family is carrying out engagements and spending time in the Sierra de Tramuntana region of Palma, a mountain…
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Features

The historic tiara that's become a favourite of a queen in waiting

For centuries, tiaras have been a symbol of royalty and some gems hold more significance than others when used in these sparkling signs of power. The ruby is the birthstone for July. It’s been used in royal jewellery collections for centuries and it now features in some of the most striking pieces in European vaults. The Dutch royal gem collection has some famous examples of the stone…
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