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The pearl tiara that became the debut diadem of a future queen

The future queen of Norway’s first tiara was always going to excite interest and when Princess Ingrid Alexandra debuted a diadem at a special birthday celebration, it hit the headlines. The gem chosen for this monarch in waiting had a dramatic and poignant history that gained a new chapter when the princess picked it for a major milestone.

Princess Ingrid Alexandra received the diamond and pearl tiara for her 18th birthday. It originally belonged to her great-great-grandmother, Princess Ingeborg of Sweden. Ingeborg was given the tiara, made by jeweller Boucheron, over 120 years ago by her husband, Prince Carl.

Ida Bjørvik, Royal Court

Prince Carl knew that Ingeborg had several tiaras that were heavy when worn, and so when he saw the tiara on display in Paris, he bought it. He wanted her to have a lighter tiara to wear on important occasions.

Princess Ingeborg is seen in the tiara. Photo by De kongelige samlinger

The tiara has interlocking diamond circles set in platinum. Prince Carl had the button-style diamond and pearl elements added later to the diadem.

Ingrid Alexandra’s great aunt, Princess Astrid, said: “It means a great deal to me that the tiara has now been given to Princess Ingrid Alexandra.”

Princess Ingeborg wore the tiara at many events throughout her life and last wore it at King Harald’s 21st birthday celebrations in 1958.

After Ingeborg’s death, Princess Ragnhild, King Harald’s older sister, inherited the diadem and wore it for official events. She died in 2012, and her children gave the tiara to Ingrid Alexandra as a gift.

Ida Bjørvik, Royal Court

Princess Astrid remarked that her sister wanted Ingrid Alexandra to have the tiara.

Ida Bjørvik, Royal Court

Princess Ingrid Alexandra wore the tiara for the first time at a gala dinner held in June 2022. Her grandparents, King Harald and Queen Sonja hosted the event in honour of her 18th birthday at the Royal Palace.

About author

Brittani is from Tennessee, USA. She is a political scientist and historian after graduating with a degree in the topics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in December 2014. She also holds a master's degree from Northeastern University. She enjoys reading and researching all things regarding the royals of the world. She's been researching, reading, and writing on royalty for over a decade. She became Europe Editor in October 2016, and then Deputy Editor in January 2019, and has been featured on several podcasts, radio shows, news broadcasts and websites including Global News Canada, ABC News Australia, WION India and BBC World News.