Queen Elizabeth shimmers in the Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara in 1986.Photo:im Graham Photo Library via Getty
im Graham Photo Library via Getty
The British royal family may have the keys to the world’sbest jewelry box.Queen Elizabethsparkled in a slew of tiaras throughout her historic reign, though the exact number she owned remains a mystery.While jewelry enthusiasts are familiar with the tiarasKate MiddletonandQueen Camillafrequently reach for — the Princess of Wales favors theQueen Mary’s Lover’s Knot, while the Queen likes theGreville Tiara— there are many more choices in the royal vault. Adding to the allure, some haven’t been seen for decades — possibly givingPrincess Charlotteanenviable selectionwhen she grows up.Look back in time at the glitziest tiaras tucked in storage — with hopes that perhaps they’ll shimmer in the public eye again someday.
The British royal family may have the keys to the world’sbest jewelry box.Queen Elizabethsparkled in a slew of tiaras throughout her historic reign, though the exact number she owned remains a mystery.
While jewelry enthusiasts are familiar with the tiarasKate MiddletonandQueen Camillafrequently reach for — the Princess of Wales favors theQueen Mary’s Lover’s Knot, while the Queen likes theGreville Tiara— there are many more choices in the royal vault. Adding to the allure, some haven’t been seen for decades — possibly givingPrincess Charlotteanenviable selectionwhen she grows up.
Look back in time at the glitziest tiaras tucked in storage — with hopes that perhaps they’ll shimmer in the public eye again someday.
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Teck Crescent Tiara
Princess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck, wears the Teck Crescent Tiara.Hulton Archive/Getty
Hulton Archive/Getty
It can be worn with or without the double rows of base diamonds, andQueen Elizabeth, the Queen Motheropted for only the celestial band in the 1930s.
02of 08Strathmore Rose TiaraQueen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, wears the Strathmore Rose Tiara.Time Life Pictures/GettyA real-life flower crown, the Queen Mother received the Strathmore Rose Tiara as a wedding gift from her parents when she married Prince Albert, the Duke of York (the future King George VI) in 1923.The tiara was among thepopular predictionsfor whatMeghan Marklemight wear when she marriedPrince Harryin 2018. However, the Duchess of Sussex instead borrowed theQueen Mary Diamond Bandeau.
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Strathmore Rose Tiara
Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, wears the Strathmore Rose Tiara.Time Life Pictures/Getty
A real-life flower crown, the Queen Mother received the Strathmore Rose Tiara as a wedding gift from her parents when she married Prince Albert, the Duke of York (the future King George VI) in 1923.
The tiara was among thepopular predictionsfor whatMeghan Marklemight wear when she marriedPrince Harryin 2018. However, the Duchess of Sussex instead borrowed theQueen Mary Diamond Bandeau.
03of 08Brazilian Aquamarine TiaraQueen Elizabeth wears the Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara.Tim Graham Photo Library via GettyThe Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara must be seen to be believed! According to theCourt Jeweller, Queen Elizabeth commissioned Garrard & Co. to make the eye-popping headtopper in 1957 to round out a suite.The Queen was gifted a dazzling aquamarine and diamond necklace and earrings from the president of Brazil in honor of her coronation in 1953, and the tiara made the parure complete.
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Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara
Queen Elizabeth wears the Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara.Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
The Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara must be seen to be believed! According to theCourt Jeweller, Queen Elizabeth commissioned Garrard & Co. to make the eye-popping headtopper in 1957 to round out a suite.
The Queen was gifted a dazzling aquamarine and diamond necklace and earrings from the president of Brazil in honor of her coronation in 1953, and the tiara made the parure complete.
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Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara
Queen Elizabeth wears Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara.Tim Graham/Getty
Though the Russian-inspired kokoshnik design trended towards the end of the 19th century, we think it’s truly timeless! While she was the Princess of Wales, Queen Alexandra requested that a special accessory be made to commemorate her silver wedding anniversary in 1888.
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Anwar Hussein/Getty
“The 96 rubies are a symbolic gesture, as rubies in Burmese culture protect from illness and evil — in this case, to protect the wearer from the 96 diseases that can afflict humans,” the luxury jeweler said in astatement.
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Cartier Indian Tiara
Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, wears the Cartier Indian Tiara.Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
The tiara passed to Marie Louise’s godson Prince Richard, and his wife, Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, has since sported it for special occasions.
07of 08Persian Turquoise TiaraPrincess Margaret wears the Persian Turquoise Tiara in 1993 and 1967.PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo; gettyQueen Mary bought the Persian Turquoise Tiara (plus a suite of matching jewels) from Garrard, and the parure passed to her daughter-in-law Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. In an ultimate birthday gift, she gave the set to her daughter Princess Margaret when she turned 21 in 1951, theCourt Jewellerreported.While much of Margaret’s jewelry was auctioned following her death in 2002, this tiara is thought to remain in royal possession — hopefully hinting it will be seen again one day.
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Persian Turquoise Tiara
Princess Margaret wears the Persian Turquoise Tiara in 1993 and 1967.PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo; getty
PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo; getty
Queen Mary bought the Persian Turquoise Tiara (plus a suite of matching jewels) from Garrard, and the parure passed to her daughter-in-law Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. In an ultimate birthday gift, she gave the set to her daughter Princess Margaret when she turned 21 in 1951, theCourt Jewellerreported.
While much of Margaret’s jewelry was auctioned following her death in 2002, this tiara is thought to remain in royal possession — hopefully hinting it will be seen again one day.
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Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara
Queen Elizabeth wears the Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara.PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo; getty
The dazzlingGrand Duchess Vladimir Tiaracomes complete with a dramatic past as a relic of a lost monarchy. It originally belonged to Grand Duchess Vladimir, the aunt of Nicholas II, the last tsar of Russia. She was temporarily separated from the tiara after fleeing St. Petersburg during the Russian Revolution but was reunited with the piece a few years later when a British Secret Intelligence Service member rescued her jewels.
source: people.com
