Programming Note: We will have an open post tomorrow for those that wish to enjoy Prince Alexander's of Sweden's christening. The guests begin arriving at 11 am, and the service starts at noon, local time. (Here's a time zone converter.) Links to livestream will be included in the open post. See you then!
Queen Anne-Marie turned 70 on August 30, which means it's time for a sparkly celebration, only slightly belated. The daughter of a Danish king, Anne-Marie married a Greek king - one of the last examples of marriage between big royal houses, just as the practice began to grow increasingly rare. Her tiara collection happens to be one that has benefited handsomely from a history of jewels traveling from country to country, often courtesy of royal marriages. (As always, click the name of the tiara for its full story.)
Each of King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid's three daughters received a tiara for her 18th birthday. Queen Ingrid was a Swedish princess by birth, and created Anne-Marie's 18th birthday tiara by reconfiguring a Swedish jewel, a floral stomacher from Queen Victoria of Sweden. The Antique Corsage Tiara is now mainly a loaner for Anne-Marie's daughters and daughters-in-law, as she herself uses her larger tiaras.
She married the Greek king wearing a Danish tiara borrowed from her mother, which she later inherited. This started a wedding tiara tradition in the family that continues today, with all of Queen Ingrid's female descendants wearing this tiara for their weddings. The thing about the Khedive of Egypt Tiara, though, is that it wasn't really a Danish tiara. It's been a transient diadem from the start: Crown Princess Margaret of Sweden to her daughter Queen Ingrid, and then on to Queen Anne-Marie.
As a new 18-year-old queen consort, Anne-Marie was handed two big parures with Greek history. (The emeralds have Russian heritage as well, so our tangled web of royal family trees is still well represented.) This promptly became a favorite, and remains the tiara that you are most likely to see Queen Anne-Marie use.
The ruby tiara, which has a little bit of country swapping in its past as well, might be my favorite from Anne-Marie's stash. This might largely be because she pairs it with that
really gorgeous metallic mauve gown, one of my favorites from her wardrobe. Sometimes it's all about the styling.
But wait, there's more! Yes, on at least one occasion, Anne-Marie borrowed
Queen Sophia's Star and Pearl Tiara, a tricky tiara she wore rather well (and another with a country-hopping past!).
Which tiara is your favorite on Queen Anne-Marie?
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