Pearls are the birthstone of June and for centuries they have taken a starring role in royal jewels. They now feature in some of the best known pieces worn by ruling dynasties across Europe. Among the Danish collection are some truly romantic and historic pieces.
Crown Princess Mary’s Wedding Tiara
Embed from Getty ImagesCrown Princess Mary received a small wedding tiara, fashioned from diamond hearts and fleur-de-lis motifs, as a gift from Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik. No further details of its provenance have ever been released, but the strong suspicion is that the tiara was purchased at auction.
In 2011, Crown Princess Mary had the tiara reworked to add a row of pearls along its base and pearls atop each of the lower spikes. Jeweller Marianne Dulong updated the tiara and made the pearl elements removable so that Crown Princess Mary could wear it with and without the pearl setting.
Pearl Poiré Tiara
Embed from Getty ImagesThis classic diamond and pearls tiara has a history that traces through the royal families of Prussia, the Netherlands, and Sweden and Norway before landing in Denmark. Created in 1825 for the King of Prussia’s daughter, the tiara eventually made its way onto the head of a line of Danish queens.
The Pearl Poiré Tiara features 18 pear-shaped pearl pendants on a diamond base, and is currently exclusively worn by Queen Margrethe.
Turquoise Daisy Bandeau
Perhaps fitting for a queen with the nickname Daisy, Queen Margrethe inherited the Turquoise Daisy Bandeau upon her mother’s death in 2000.
Queen Ingrid inherited this bandeau and parure set, which includes earrings and a trio of brooches, from her mother, Crown Princess Margareta of Sweden, who passed away in 1920. Crown Princess Margareta’s nickname had also been Daisy.
The Turquoise Daisy Bandeau features delicate jewel petals crafted from turquoises, pearls and diamonds. This bandeau has been worn more recently by Queen Margrethe and her nieces, Princesses Alexandra of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, Princess Natalie of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, and Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark.
