{"id":17107,"date":"2025-10-26T10:25:31","date_gmt":"2025-10-26T10:25:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/17107\/"},"modified":"2025-10-26T10:25:31","modified_gmt":"2025-10-26T10:25:31","slug":"a-guide-to-her-majestys-royal-tiaras","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/17107\/","title":{"rendered":"A Guide to Her Majesty’s Royal Tiaras"},"content":{"rendered":"

< \u00a0Historic Diamonds<\/a> \/ Royal Stories<\/a><\/p>\n

In honor of Queen Elizabeth II, take a look back on Her Majesty\u2019s historic collection of royal tiaras, covered in dazzling diamonds and remarkable gemstones. <\/p>\n

\"In<\/p>\n

Queen Elizabeth II poses for a portrait at home in Buckingham Palace in December 1958 in London, England.(Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Throughout her 70-year reign on the British throne, Queen Elizabeth II<\/a> wore some of the most remarkable royal tiaras of all time. While her collection included rubies from Burma and aquamarines from Brazil, it\u2019s Queen Elizabeth\u2019s historic natural diamond diadems that remain unmatched.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The royal vaults are filled to the brim with regal finery. While Queen Elizabeth II inherited diamond tiaras from Queen Victoria, Queen Alexandra, and her grandmother, Queen Mary, she also commissioned pieces of her own, adding to the family\u2019s glittering legacy of heirlooms.<\/p>\n

Meet the Expert<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Claire Scott <\/a>is the Design & Development Director at Garrard.<\/p>\n

Scott previously held positions like Senior Jewelry Designer and Head of Design at the first official Crown Jeweler.<\/p>\n

With over 20 years of experience in the luxury jewelry industry, Scott has developed iconic collections and custom commissions at some of the most prestigious jewelry houses in the world.<\/p>\n

Here, Only Natural Diamonds takes a look back at Queen Elizabeth II\u2019s impressive collection of royal tiaras.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Queen Mary\u2019s Fringe Tiara <\/p>\n

\"QueenPrincess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II with her husband Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, after their marriage, 1947. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\"QueenQueen Elizabeth II, as Princess Elizabeth, and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh, styled Prince Philip in 1957, on their wedding day. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Queen Mary\u2019s diamond Fringe Tiara has seen many royal weddings in its lifetime. Most notably, Queen Elizabeth II chose the headpiece for her nuptials to Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey in London on November 20, 1947. Queen Mary passed down the tiara to her daughter-in-law, Queen Elizabeth (later known as the Queen Mother), in 1937. The Queen Mother later lent the jewel to her daughter, Princess Elizabeth, for her wedding day<\/p>\n

The tiara is mounted on a specific frame that allows the tiara to be transformed into a necklace, which leads us to one of the tiara\u2019s most notorious tales.\u00a0The piece famously almost caused the then-Princess Elizabeth to be late to her own wedding. As she was getting ready with her dresser at Buckingham Palace, part of the wedding tiara snapped off. The court jeweler rushed to\u00a0Garrard<\/a>\u00a0with the tiara in tow, escorted by police to ensure it was repaired in time.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"QueenQueen Mary of Teck wearing the Fringe Tiara, circa 1926. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\"QueenPrincess Anne and Mark Phillips at Buckingham Palace in London after their wedding on November 14, 1973. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\"QueenPrincess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are at their wedding on July 18, 2020 in Windsor. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

In 2011, Queen Elizabeth II recalled the story to Kate Middleton when\u00a0they toured a Buckingham Palace exhibition. \u201cThe catch, which I didn\u2019t know existed, it suddenly went [gesturing her breaking the tiara with her hands].\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Queen Elizabeth II\u2019s daughter, Princess Anne, kept tradition alive when she wore the same tiara to marry Mark Phillips in 1973. Another generation would keep the tradition alive for her wedding day when Queen Elizabeth\u2019s granddaughter, Princess Beatrice, wore Queen Mary\u2019s Fringe Tiara for her 2020 wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi<\/a>. She paired the over 100-year-old headpiece with the same Norman Hartnell gown Queen Elizabeth wore for the April 1966 opening of Parliament.<\/p>\n

\"QueenOriginal Garrard sketch of the Fringe Tiara from 1912. (Courtesy of Garrard)<\/p>\n

The Fringe Tiara features 47 pointed bars of brilliant-cut and rose-cut diamonds, alternating with smaller prongs of lozenge-shaped brilliant-cut diamonds. Similar in style to Queen Alexandra\u2019s Kokoshnik Tiara, Queen Mary\u2019s Fringe Tiara is slightly smaller\u2014and therefore more manageable to wear. Originally called the Collingwood Fringe Tiara, it was a wedding gift from Queen Victoria, the grandmother of Mary\u2019s future husband.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Few jewels hold more sentiment and romance than one worn by three royal brides on their wedding day.<\/p>\n

\"QueenQueen Mary\u2019s Fringe Tiara made by E. Wolff & Co for Garrard in 1919. (Photo Royal Collection Trust\/All Rights Reserved)<\/p>\n

Garrard,\u00a0the official crown jeweler at the time, recently rediscovered two of their handwritten royal ledgers. On November 3, 1919, the ledger recounted the notes, \u201cMounting 633 brilliants and 271 rose diamonds from\u00a0your Majesty\u2019s own tiara, bracelet, and monogram in gold and silver settings in a Russian pattern tiara with adjustable head frame, allowing for old settings.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to Design & Development Director at Garrard, Claire Scott, \u201cThe Fringe Tiara is a true testament to Garrard\u2019s exquisite craftsmanship and technical mastery. The fact that it can be worn as a fully articulated necklace without any additional components is a feat of artistry and precision that defines our heritage.\u201d She explains, \u201cStories and histories often enhance the allure of a piece of jewelry, but few can hold more romance than one worn by three royal brides on their wedding day.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Queen Mary\u2019s Cambridge Lover\u2019s Knot Tiara<\/p>\n

\"QueenQueen Elizabeth II wore the Lover\u2019s Knot Tiara in a portrait painted for the Royal Military Academy by Leonard Boden. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Queen Elizabeth II\u2019s pearl and diamond-encrusted Cambridge Lover\u2019s Knot Tiara was commissioned by Queen Mary (Mary of Teck, Queen Elizabeth II\u2019s paternal grandmother) in 1913, crafted by the House of Garrard, the first official Crown Jeweler.<\/p>\n

Queen Mary requested the piece replicate that of a design owned by her maternal grandmother, Princess Augusta of Hesse, the Duchess of Cambridge. Queen Mary provided one of her existing tiaras\u2014\u00a0the Ladies of England Tiara<\/a>\u2014 and other diamond and pearl pieces from her jewelry box to use for the Lover\u2019s Knot.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Consisting of 19 archways of\u00a0brilliant<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0rose-cut diamonds<\/a>, the headpiece is capped with a diamond ribbon \u201clover\u2019s knot\u201d bow motif, including 19 dangling pear-shaped baroque pearl drops. \u201cThe suspended pearls give the Lover\u2019s Knot Tiara a rare sense of movement and life, a hallmark of Garrard\u2019s craftsmanship and heritage,\u201d says Scott.<\/p>\n

Previously, the tiara included an extra 19 pearls that pointed upright from each diamond curvature. The pearls were taken from the\u00a0Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara. Since then, they\u2019ve been replaced with a row of standalone\u00a0brilliant-cut diamonds<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"QueenThe 1913 workshop sketch documenting the tiara\u2019s creation. (Courtesy of Garrard)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Lover\u2019s Knot Tiara is a true expression of Garrard\u2019s design language, where romantic symbolism meets exquisite craftsmanship,\u201d says Scott. \u201cThe suspended baroque pearls\u00a0bring the\u00a0piece\u00a0to life, giving it movement and grace. The lover\u2019s knot itself is deeply tied to our heritage, a reimagining of the Sovereign motif, notably seen on the\u00a0Sovereign\u2019s Scepter<\/a>\u00a0set with the Cullinan I diamond. This design thread runs through our 290-year history, continuing to inspire today\u2019s high jewelry designs and collections.\u201d<\/p>\n

After Queen Mary passed away in 1953, she left the tiara to her granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II. Her Royal Highness went on to wear the Lover\u2019s Knot consistently throughout the 1950s, before shifting towards her more recent favorites, like the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara. Queen Elizabeth II had the Lover\u2019s Knot immortalized in portrait form in 1957, posing in the tiara for British painter Leonard Boden for the Royal Military Academy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

After marrying Prince Charles in 1981, Princess Diana received a treasure trove of royal family jewels from the Queen on permanent loan, including the Lover\u2019s Knot Tiara as a wedding gift. One of Princess Diana\u2019s favorite pieces of jewelry, the royal wore the Lover\u2019s Knot so frequently that it became synonymous with some of her most iconic style moments, including the state opening of Parliament and her white beaded Catherine Walker Elvis dress worn in Hong Kong in 1989.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"QueenQueen Mary, wife of George V, the King of England, wearing the Cambridge Lover\u2019s Knot Tiara, circa 1926. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\"QueenPrincess Diana wearing the Cambridge Lover\u2019s Knot Tiara, 1985 in Washington, D.C. at a reception at the British Embassy. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\"QueenThe Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton during the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on November 22, 2022 in London, England. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The royal loved the Lover\u2019s Knot so much, it\u2019s been said that she suffered for beauty \u2013 the tiara allegedly hurt Lady Diana\u2019s head and gave her headaches, due to its heavy and ornate nature. This, however, doesn\u2019t seem to have deterred Kate Middleton<\/a>, who often wears the crown.<\/p>\n

After Charles and Diana divorced, the tiara was returned to the royal family and put into a safe at Buckingham Palace. According to\u00a0People<\/a>, the tiara had not been seen since Diana\u2019s death in 1997 until Middleton pulled it out of the vaults in 2015.<\/p>\n

The Princess first stepped out in the Lover\u2019s Knot for the annual Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace in 2015 and has continuously worn the tiara on countless occasions since. Considering the royal tiara was inspired by the Duchess of Cambridge of generations past, it\u2019s fitting that Middleton has adopted the diadem in honor of her first HRH title.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Queen Mary\u2019s Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara<\/p>\n

\"QueenQueen Elizabeth II wore Queen Mary\u2019s Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara for her first official portrait as monarch taken on February 26, 1952 by Dorothy Wilding.<\/p>\n

Queen Mary\u2019s Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara was named after the women\u2019s clubs across the British Empire, who fundraised to purchase the headpiece as a wedding gift to Queen Elizabeth\u2019s grandmother, Queen Mary, in 1893. Originally, it was topped with pearls and designed to be transformable. The pearls were later replaced with more diamonds. Affectionately referred to as \u201cGranny\u2019s tiara,\u201d it is thought to be one of Queen Elizabeth II\u2019s favorite jewels and among the most memorable of all the royal tiaras made by Garrard. The piece has been featured in official portraits, on stamps, and even on currency.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"QueenGirls of Great Britain-and Ireland Tiara Garrard Original Ledger (Courtesy of Garrard)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara is one of Garrard\u2019s most iconic creations, a masterpiece of design and technical versatility,\u201d Scott says. \u201cIts signature Windsor motif has become a cornerstone of our design language, inspiring jewelry past and present. Few jewels embody both history and craftsmanship so seamlessly.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Queen Alexandra\u2019s Kokoshnik Tiara <\/p>\n

\"QueenQueen Elizabeth wears Queen Alexandra\u2019s diamond Russian Kokoshnik Tiara for her speech at the opening session of Canada\u2019s Parliament. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\"QueenBritish Royals Queen Elizabeth II, wearing the Kokoshnik Tiara, attends a State Dinner in Reykjavik, Iceland, 25th June 1990. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Queen Elizabeth II often chose to wear her great-grandmother Queen Alexandra\u2019s diamond Russian Kokoshnik Tiara, commissioned by Garrard in 1888.<\/p>\n

The tiara was a gift to Alexandra\u2014then Princess of Wales\u2014from the \u201cLadies of Society,\u201d presented in honor of her 25th wedding anniversary to the future King Edward VII. Alexandra personally designed the piece, drawing inspiration from a diamond Kokoshnik tiara worn by her sister, Empress Maria Feodorovna of Russia.<\/p>\n

With 61 vertical platinum bars set with over 400 perfectly matched natural diamonds, the halo shape of Queen Alexandra\u2019s Kokoshnik Tiara<\/a> was inspired by the traditional Russian headdress of the same name. The halo-shaped design was also convertible into a necklace. Alexandra wore the tiara often, including for the wedding of her son, the Duke of York, to Princess Victoria Mary of Teck\u2014later King George V and Queen Mary, grandparents to Queen Elizabeth II. Queen Mary inherited the tiara upon Queen Alexandra\u2019s death in 1925. She famously wore it for her official 80th birthday portrait. Queen Mary bequeathed the Kokoshnik Tiara to Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Kokoshnik Tiara is pure theater- a breathtaking wall of diamonds that radiates power and presence,\u201d Scott says. \u201cIt\u2019s no surprise that clients still reference it when commissioning their own bespoke jewels. Its bold, architectural design also directly inspired the creation of the Fringe Tiara.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Queen Elizabeth II wore the prized piece to plenty of state banquets and royal occasions, including a ball at the White House in 1976, where she danced with President Gerald Ford. She also wore the tiara in her 2001 portrait by British photographer\u00a0John\u00a0Swannell<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Grand Duchess\u00a0Vladimir Tiara<\/p>\n

\"QueenQueen Elizabeth II wears the diamond Grand Duchess\u00a0Vladimir Tiara with pearls in a portrait at home in Buckingham Palace in December 1958. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\"QueenQueen Elizabeth II wears the diamond Grand Duchess\u00a0Vladimir Tiara with emeralds in Ottawa 1967. (Getty Images) <\/p>\n

Among Queen Elizabeth\u2019s favorite headpieces, the Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara was purchased by her grandmother, Queen Mary, at auction in 1921. But even before it landed in the hands of the British royal family, the tiara had a thrilling tale to tell<\/a>. Originally made in 1874 by the Russian court jeweler Bolin, the tiara was created for its namesake owner, Grand Duchess Vladimir, the wife of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich, uncle to Tsar Nicholas II.<\/p>\n

According to reports, Grand Duchess Vladimir smuggled her jewels out of Russia during the 1917 revolution with the help of two British antique dealers who posed as servants following the Tsar\u2019s assassination. Though she was the last Romanov to escape Russia, her treasures made it out before she did. After her death in 1920, much of the Grand Duchess\u2019s jewelry was sold to support her children, with many pieces acquired by European royals.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the Vladimir Tiara was damaged during its journey out of Russia. Queen Mary later commissioned Garrard to restore the historic piece, adding 15 emerald drops and a mechanism that allowed the original pearls to be easily interchanged with the emeralds within its interlocking natural diamond loops. Queen Elizabeth II wore the tiara with pearls, emeralds, and even without any drops. The monarch even donned the tiara for a 1958 portrait in her home and her 1968\u00a0portrait by Cecil Beaton<\/a>.\u00a0In 1988, Queen Elizabeth II had it repaired again to update the frame.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Vladimir Tiara is a remarkable example of how a jewel can evolve across centuries,\u201d Scott explains. \u201cThe alterations made at Garrard in the 1920s introduced a level of versatility that allows it to seamlessly alternate between pearls, emeralds or a clean diamond silhouette. It stands as a testament to both the tiara\u2019s enduring beauty and the technical mastery behind its transformation.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Queen Elizabeth\u2019s Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara<\/p>\n

\"QueenThe Queen Wearing An Aquamarine And Diamond Tiara, Necklace And Earrings Given To Her By The People Of Brazil. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

As a gift for her coronation in 1953, Queen Elizabeth II was given a necklace and a pair of earrings from the President of Brazil, featuring the country\u2019s native aquamarine stones. Years later, Brazil added to the suite of jewels, sending her a bracelet and a large brooch. The Queen commissioned Garrard to make a matching tiara of natural diamonds and aquamarines<\/a> in 1957. By 1971, the jewel was modified with four fan-shaped motifs. The large aquamarine pendant was removed from her necklace and reset at the front of the headpiece.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara is the epitome of a statement jewel. A masterpiece of regal elegance, it showcases an unparalleled collection of Brazilian aquamarines, impressive in both size and beauty,\u201d says Scott. \u201cThe transformation carried out by Garrard in 1971 demonstrates our longstanding expertise in enhancing historic jewels, elevating their presence while respecting their original character.\u201d<\/p>\n

Queen Elizabeth\u2019s Burmese Ruby Tiara<\/p>\n

\"QueenQueen Elizabeth II at a Royal Gala performance at Covent Garden during her Silver Jubilee celebrations, 30th May 1977. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

In 1973, Her Royal Highness had Garrard create the Burmese Ruby Tiara for her. She requested that the team include an assortment of 96 extremely rare Burmese rubies given to her as a wedding gift from the people of Myanmar (a Commonwealth country, formerly known as Burma).\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to The Court Jeweller, the Queen used diamonds from the dismantled Nizam of Hyderabad Tiara that she also received as a wedding gift from an Indian prince. The glistening rubies and diamonds are set in a rose petal motif, inspired by the Tudor Rose. In Burmese culture, the stones are believed to protect against evil and illness. While Queen Elizabeth remained politically neutral, many noted the symbolism when she wore the tiara for US President Donald Trump\u2019s state visit in 2019<\/a>. Following the Queen\u2019s death, the tiara was worn by Queen Camilla at a state banquet in 2023.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"QueenThe 1973 Original Paintingof the Burmese Ruby Tiara. (Courtesy of Garrard)<\/p>\n

Scott says, \u201cBy incorporating 96 rubies representing protection and well-being, the design carries meaning far beyond its brilliance. Inspired by the Tudor Rose, it is a jewel that embodies heritage, exquisite craftsmanship and timeless beauty.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Queen Elizabeth\u2019s Belgian Sapphire Tiara<\/p>\n

\"QueenThe Queen Wearing A Sapphire And Diamond Tiara And Necklace Attending A State Banquet Given By President Havel, Prague, Czech Republic. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

In 1963, Queen Elizabeth added to her preexisting sentimental diamond and sapphire parure when she\u00a0commissioned a new bracelet and tiara, made from an antique sapphire and diamond necklace that previously belonged to Princess Louise of Belgium. The Queen wore the complete parure for two state banquets in a row, for\u00a0President Xi Jinping of China in 2015 and President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia in 2016. She wore the suite again for her Canadian portrait<\/a> in 2020 \u2013 the last time she would be photographed wearing a tiara.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"QueenQueen Camilla in the George VI Sapphire Tiara. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n

In 2022, King Charles<\/a> and Queen Consort Camilla<\/a> hosted their first state visit<\/a> as reigning monarchs for President Cyril Ramaphosa of the Republic of South Africa. To honor her late mother-in-law, Queen Camilla wore the beloved diamond and sapphire set for the occasion.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Queen Elizabeth II\u2019s royal tiaras were more than royal accessories; they were enduring emblems of duty, heritage, and personal expression. From treasured heirlooms passed down through generations to pieces she made her own, each tiara tells a story not just of regal tradition, but of the woman who wore it. As they continue to sparkle on the heads of future queens, these natural diamond masterpieces remain a dazzling legacy of Elizabeth\u2019s reign.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"< \u00a0Historic Diamonds \/ Royal Stories In honor of Queen Elizabeth II, take a look back on Her…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":17108,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[9,24,63,1315,1312,122,124,123,11998],"class_list":["post-17107","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-queens","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-city","tag-nyc","tag-queen-elizabeth","tag-queen-elizabeth-ii","tag-queens","tag-queens-headlines","tag-queens-news","tag-royal-tiaras"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17107","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17107"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17107\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17108"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17107"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17107"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17107"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}