Fit For Royalty
Tiaras, a broad term for various styles of headdresses, are exquisite jewelry pieces with cultural, historical, and personal significance. Here are some gorgeous ones owned by the British Royal family.
Queen Adelaide's Fringe Necklace
Queen Victoria wore this diamond fringe early in her reign after she became queen. The piece originally belonged to her aunt, Queen Adelaide, who married King William IV. But wait! This is a necklace, not a tiara. Right?
W. & D. Downey, Wikimedia Commons
Queen Adelaide's Fringe Necklace
Where Did It Come From?
In 1831, the year of William and Adelaide's coronation, William IV commissioned the fringe from Rundell and Bridge. William's father, King George III, initially owned the diamonds in the fringe. Still, a fringe is a necklace, not a tiara. Confused? Read on.
John Simpson, Wikimedia Commons
Queen Adelaide's Fringe Necklace
Now a Tiara
Originally designed as a necklace, Queen Victoria later had the fringe mounted on a tiara frame. She first wore this tiara in November 1837 during her early public appearances. Necklaces can become tiaras. Neat!
Franz Xaver Winterhalter, Wikimedia Commons
Queen Victoria's Oriental Circlet Tiara
Victorian Craftsmanship
Queen Victoria's Oriental Circlet Tiara is a significant and historic piece of royal jewelry and a beautiful example of Victorian jewelry craftsmanship. But wait a minute. Is it a circlet or a tiara, and what the heck is a circlet?
Law Society of Upper Canada Archives (National Film Board),Wikimedia Commons
Queen Victoria's Oriental Circlet Tiara
Reflective Of The Queen
A tiara that encircles the head's entire circumference, or nearly so, is called a circlet. Queen Victoria's Oriental Circlet Tiara reflects her taste and the cultural interests of her reign. Its intricate design and historical provenance make it a valued part of the British monarchy's jewelry collection.
Queen Mary's Fringe Tiara
From One Queen To Another
Originally a gift from Queen Victoria to Queen Mary, this tiara was created using diamonds from a dismantled necklace. It is known for its striking appearance.
Queen Mary's Fringe
A New Era
Historically significant, Queen Elizabeth II wore it during her wedding to Prince Philip in 1947, and it was said to mark the beginning of a new era for the monarchy after World War II.
Queen Mary's Fringe
The Practical Tiara
This Queen Mary tiara, which Queen Elizabeth II wore on numerous official occasions, is often mentioned for its practicality. It can be adjusted to fit different head sizes, allowing for a comfortable and secure fit. Such a lovely feature!
Julian Calder for Governor-General of New Zealand, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Queen Elizabeth II's Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara
Perhaps the most recognized tiara in the British Royal Collection is the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara—one of Queen Elizabeth II's most consistently worn tiaras.
Department of Immigration and Border Protection, CC BY 3.0 AU, Wikimedia Commons
Queen Elizabeth II's Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara
A Crown Favorite
The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara was first given to Queen Mary in 1893 as a wedding gift. This tiara became one of Queen Mary's most frequently worn jewelry pieces.
Grove & Boulton, Wikimedia Commons
Queen Elizabeth II's Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara
A Re-Gifted Wedding Present?
Queen Mary subsequently passed it down to her granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II, who received it as a wedding gift in 1947. The tiara, adorned with festoon and fleur-de-lis patterns, consisted of diamonds arranged in a setting of silver and gold. Now that is a re-gifting most ladies won't mind!
Welcome Images, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Queen Alexandra's Kokoshnik Tiara
Queen Alexandra's Kokoshnik Tiara is a splendid and significant piece of royal jewelry. The tiara, made by the Russian court jeweler Bolin in 1888, was a wedding gift from the Ladies of Society to Princess Alexandra of Denmark upon her marriage to the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VII of the United Kingdom.
Rachelle Haun, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Queen Alexandra's Kokoshnik Tiara
Perfect For Any Occasion
The Kokoshnik Tiara remains in the British royal collection. Subsequent queens and consorts have worn it, including Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) and Queen Elizabeth II. It is a versatile piece often seen at state banquets and other formal occasions.
Presidencia de la República Mexicana, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara
The Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara is a striking and iconic piece of jewelry.
It features a distinctive Russian kokoshnik design, with a high base and a row of interlaced diamond circles or motifs resembling the traditional Russian headdress.
Anonymous photographer from Russian Empire, Wikimedia Commons
Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara
A Fascinating Connection
This tiara is even more fascinating because of its original owner, Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna of Russia. Maria was the first cousin to Czar Nicholas II, the last Emperor of Russia, whose murder and the murder of his wife and children are well known.
Aniklot Pazetti, Wikimedia Commons
Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara
A Tiara In Exile
Maria was the last Romanov grand duchess to escape from Russia and sneak this tiara out with her. In 1921, Maria Pavlovna's daughter sold the tiara to Queen Mary, consort of King George V of the United Kingdom.
Hay Wrightson, Wikimedia Commons
Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara
A Prominent Piece
The Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara is a brilliant piece of jewelry. It was made by Boucheron, the prestigious French jeweler, in 1919 for Margaret Greville. Greville was a prominent British society hostess, philanthropist and close friend of the royal family.
Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara
Russian In Design
Dame Greville's tiara features a Russian kokoshnik design similar to that of the Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara. Both have a characteristic high base and a symmetrical pattern of diamonds and gemstones.
Greville Honeycomb Tiara
A Family Friend
The Greville Honeycomb Tiara, also known as the Greville Chandelier Tiara, is another beautiful piece of royal jewelry. It was made in 1921 by Boucheron and belonged to Dame Greville, who had an affinity for the Duke and Duchess of York, Bertie and Elizabeth.
Max Mumby/Indigo, Getty Images
Greville Honeycomb Tiara
A Curious Bequest
Dame Greville bequeathed her extensive jewelry collection, including the Greville Tiara, to the Duchess of York, who had become Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) by 1942. This tiara consists of stunning diamonds set in a sensational platinum frame.
The Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara
The Queen Mary's Lover's Knot tiara, made by Garrard & Co., was commissioned in 1913 by Queen Mary's grandmother. It is a replica of an earlier tiara that was a favorite of Queen Mary's.
The Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara
An Impressive Replica
Although a replica, Queen Mary's collection provided the pearls and diamonds for this piece. How many ladies would snub a royal replica? No one ever, that's who!
The Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara
Princesses of Wales
Princess Diana loved this tiara, featuring large pearls and diamond arches. Kate Middleton, the current Princess of Wales, has worn it, as it holds sentimental value for her.
Max Mumby/Indigo, Getty Images
The Strathmore Rose Tiara
Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, received this tiara as a wedding gift from her father, the Earl of Strathmore, on her marriage to the Duke of York (later King George VI) in 1923. It features diamond roses and has sentimental significance within the royal family.
Vandyk photographic studio, Wikimedia Commons
The Cartier Halo Tiara
Happy Anniversary!
Made by Cartier in 1932, this tiara was a gift from King George VI to Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) on their wedding anniversary.
It is a dazzlingly delicate tiara adorned with diamond scrolls and was given to Elizabeth just a year before they acceded to the throne.
The Cartier Halo Tiara
A Family Heirloom
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth later gave it to their daughter, the then-future Queen Elizabeth II, as an 18th birthday present.
The Cartier Halo
A Princess' Wedding
Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, wore this tiara for her wedding to Captain Mark Phillips in 1973. Its striking design lends a classic and elegant appearance, perfect for a royal wedding.
The Lotus Flower Tiara
A Cherished Gift
Another beautiful gift, this tiara, was a wedding present from King George VI to Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) in 1923. The Lotus Flower Tiara features diamond lotus flowers and has a delicate, floral-inspired design.
Archives New Zealand, CC BY-SA 2.0,Wikimedia Commons
Meander Tiara
The Meander Tiara, also known as the Greek Key Tiara, is a notable piece of royal jewelry with a personal connection to Queen Elizabeth II. It's not just a tiara but a part of her story.
Meander Tiara
Welcome To The Family
In 1947, Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) received this diamond-crafted tiara as a wedding gift from her mother-in-law, Princess Alice of Greece and Denmark. The tiara showcases a Greek design highlighted by a central laurel wreath motif and two honeysuckle elements.
Burmese Ruby Tiara
The tiara was made by Garrard & Co., the renowned British jeweler, in 1973. It was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth II using rubies gifted to her by the people of Burma (now Myanmar) to commemorate her Silver Jubilee. Rubies are traditionally associated with love, passion, and power, adding symbolic depth to the tiara.
The White House from Washington, Wikimedia Commons
Belgian Sapphire Tiara
Queen Elizabeth II acquired this tiara, once again expanding her jewelry collection. Its impressive square sapphire, framed by an intricate design of diamonds and sapphires, catches everyone's eye with its beauty.
Delhi Durbar Tiara
In 1911, King George V had the Delhi Durbar Tiara crafted for his wife, Queen Mary. It is set with diamonds in the form of festoons and scrolls, with a distinctive central detachable Delhi Durbar emerald.
John Thomson, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Brazilian Aquamarine Parure Tiara
The Brazilian Aquamarine Parure Tiara is elegant and classically designed. The aquamarines are a significant gift from Brazil, reflecting diplomacy and goodwill between the countries.
Queen Mary's Diamond Bandeau Tiara
Made in 1932 by Garrard & Co., the renowned British royal jeweler, Queen Mary specifically commissioned a lightweight, versatile tiara that accommodates various hairstyles. The practicality of this tiara wins the day.
Queen Mary's Diamond Bandeau Tiara
The American Connection
The Diamond Bandeau Tiara gained significant public attention when it was worn by Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, on her wedding day to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, in May 2018.
Queen Mother's Cartier Bandeau
The Queen Mum received this tiara from her husband, King George VI. It features a scroll-like design with sparkling diamonds.
Richard Stone, Wikimedia Commons
Queen Mother's Cartier Bandeau
Five In One
The pieces that make up this tiara were gifts given over several years. Elizabeth the Queen Consort received five sensational bracelets from her husband. Those five bracelets combined create this fabulous bandeau.
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