Danish Royal Jewels: Queen Ingrid's Diamond Stars and Pearls Tiara

The Stars and Pearls Tiara is a historic piece connected to Swedish, Norwegian and Danish Royal Houses. It is now in possession of Princess Benedikte, Queen Margrethe’s younger sister, and has become one of her trademark pieces.

Queen Ingrid's Diamond Stars and Pearls Tiara

The tiara consists of diamond-encrusted stars and pearl pendants, all nesting on diamond settings. It is believed to have been made in 1850s by unknown craftsmen. Although most tiaras of similar design feature detachable pearl and/or star pendants, the pendants in this one cannot be removed. 

The Stars and Pearls Tiara originally belonged to Sofia of Nassau, Queen Consort of King Oscar II of Sweden and Norway. She had received it as a wedding present from her brother Prince Adolphe, Duke of Nassau (later, the Grand Duke of Luxembourg).

Danish Royal Jewels: Queen Margrethe's Naasut Tiara and Parure

Since we have just discussed Queen Margrethe’s Poppies, I suppose now it’s the turn of its close cousin look wise – the Naasut Tiara (also known as the Jubilee Tiara). 

The Naasut Tiara

Queen Margrethe’s already very impressive jewellery collection got a boost in her Jubilee year (Elizabeth II wasn't the only one with a Jubilee last year: Queen Margrethe’s celebrated 40 years on the Throne as well) with the addition of a demi-parure of a tiara and earrings. 

The parure was a gift from Greenland and is made of gold, diamond and rubies (however hard I squinted and magnified the pictures, I could find no trace of the latter anywhere though). The tiara is adorned by flowers and other plants of Greenland; five of the largest flowers can be converted into brooches. The tiara is named Naasut Tiara for a very simple reason: "naasut" means "flowers" in Greenlandic. 

Danish Royal Jewels: Queen Margrethe's Golden Poppies Tiara and Parure

I seem to have covered unusual-jewellery only yesterday so it is only fitting to cover the most unusual hairpiece in Queen Margrethe's collection – her Golden Poppies.

Queen Margrethe's Golden Poppies

The Queen commissioned it from Danish jewellery designer Arje Griegst in 1976. Although sometimes it is suggested Queen Margrethe had a hand in designing it, that is almost certainly not the case. Griegst was already famous for a series of unconventional jewellery which broke the tradition of the more rigorous Danish jewels of the time.