The New Owners of Queen Elizabeth II's Tiaras

Queen Elizabeth II wasn't just the sovereign of state affairs, she was the undisputed queen of Tiara. With a vast collection of tiara at her beck and call, her majesty played a glittering game of royal diplomacy. But behind every sparkle was a story, who got to borrow and who scored a permanent spot in the royal jewel rotation. In today's video, we'll explore the politics of Queen Elizabeth II's tiaras. Meander Tiara, 1903. The Meander Tiara was a wedding present given to Princess Alice of Battenberg by Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark. It had a classical Greek key pattern. A center diamond encased in a laurel wreath, signifying triumph and immortality, highlights its geometric Greek key pattern. Andrew and Alice had five children, including their only son, Prince Philip, future consort to Queen Elizabeth II. By the time Prince Philip married Princess Elizabeth in 1947, his family was destitute. Despite her struggles, Princess Alice managed to give her future daughter-in-law one of her most valuable possessions, the Meander Tiara. The tiara has been worn often by Princess Anne, the daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, who never wore it herself. The Meander Tiara's tradition in the British royal family was carried on in 2011 when Princess Anne's daughter, Zara Phillips, wore it to her wedding to Mike Tyndall. Delhi Durbar Tiara, 1911. The Delhi Durbar Tiara was made for Queen Mary to wear at the 1911 Delhi Durbar, a significant event that celebrated King George V and Queen Mary's coronation as Emperor and Empress of India. Due to British law preventing the removal of the British crown jewels from the UK, Queen Mary had this tiara commissioned from Garrard to act as her ceremonial diadem during the royal proclamation. This magnificent tiara, which includes detachable pear-shaped diamonds, features diamonds set in a scroll and festoon arrangement. Queen Elizabeth II received the tiara after Queen Mary's death, although she wore it seldom. She donated the tiara to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in 2005, and she has worn it to royal feasts and official photographs, among other important state events. It is one of the most outstanding items in the royal collection because of its magnificent design and deep historical relevance. Greville Honeycomb Tiara, 1921. The Greville Honeycomb Tiara was commissioned by Margaret Greville, a famous British socialite and personal friend of Queen Mary. The platinum set diamonds are used to form the exquisitely carved honeycomb pattern of the tiara, which was designed by in 1921. Its geometric design reflects the Art Deco style of the era. Margaret Greville left her enormous jewelry collection to the Queen Mother after she died in 1942. Throughout her life, she was frequently spotted wearing the tiara, which became one of her hallmark accessories. Queen Elizabeth II received the tiara upon the death of the Queen Mother in 2002. She loaned it to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in 2005, and she has worn it several times since, because of its striking architectural design. The Teck Crescent Tiara, early 1800s. Princess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck, mother of Queen Mary, had the Teck Crescent Tiara fashioned for her at the beginning of the 19th century. It is a delicate yet complex item, with a pattern that includes flowery diamond crescents scattered with foliage motifs. Queen Mary inherited the tiara as a family heirloom and treasured it when Princess Mary Adelaide went away. Queen Elizabeth II received the tiara after Queen Mary's death in 1953, although she was never spotted wearing it. After Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, married Prince Charles in 2005, the Queen loaned her the Teck Crescent Tiara. The Teck Crescent is still in Camilla's jewelry collection, even though she has mostly worn the Delhi Durbar and Greville honeycomb tiaras, demonstrating the strong historical ties within the royal family. Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara, 1913. Queen Mary had a particular place in her heart for the Lover's Knot Tiara, which was originally worn by her grandmother, Princess Augusta of Hesse Castle. From 1913 to 1953, Queen Mary often wore the tiara, with her vast array of pearl brooches and necklaces. The tiara was given to Queen Elizabeth II's granddaughter after Queen Mary's death, and she wore it on a number of occasions, including her Commonwealth tour in 1953. In 1981, Lady Diana Spencer married Charles, Prince of Wales. The tiara became one of Diana's signature pieces, often paired with her famous pearl chokers. Although its weight and tight fit were reported to give her excruciating headaches, she nonetheless wore it frequently. Following the 1996 divorce of Diana and Charles, the tiara was returned to the Queen. Queen Elizabeth II presented the tiara to Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, who is now Princess of Wales, and she wore it at her first state dinner in 2015. Because Catherine has worn the Lover's Knot Tiara so often, it has become one of the most identifiable pieces in the British royal jewellery collection. Queen Mary's Fringe Tiara, 1919. In 1919, Queen Mary hired Garrard & Company to design this exquisite fringe tiara using diamonds from a bridal present she had gotten from her grandmother, Queen Victoria, in 1893. The design has a royal yet modern appearance thanks to 47 vertical diamond spikes set in a sunburst pattern that alternates between tapered and shorter bars. Because of its ingenious design, the tiara may be worn as a necklace, a custom common to many Edwardian royal jewels. Queen Mary frequently wore the fringe tiara from 1919 to 1936, accessorising it with her many diamond necklaces and brooches for formal occasions. She passed the tiara in 1936 on to her daughter, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. The tiara was worn as something borrowed by the future Queen Elizabeth II on November 20th, 1947, when she married Prince Philip. When the princess was getting dressed, the tiara unexpectedly snapped in two. Luckily, Garrard had his court jeweller nearby. Police swiftly led him to his workshop, where he was able to fix it in time for the ceremony. Later in life, the nervous bride was able to humorously tell the story. The tiara was then borrowed by Princess Anne, the Queen's only daughter, for her November 14th, 1973, wedding to Captain Mark Phillips. Princess Beatrice honoured her grandma in 2020 by donning the tiara for her nuptials with Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. To date, Queen Mary's fringe tiara remains a symbol of continuity, tradition, and love within the British royal family. Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara, 1919. The Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara is a stunning item inspired by Russian Kokoshnik-style headdresses, a classic Russian women's headpiece that gained popularity among royal families in the late 1800s. This piece was made in 1919 for Dame Margaret Greville, a wealthy socialite, philanthropist, and close confidante of Queen Mary. When Dame Margaret Greville passed away in 1942 at the age of 78, she left most of her jewels to her close friend, Queen Elizabeth. This included the Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara and a diamond necklace believed to have once belonged to Marie Antoinette. Soon enough, the tiara became part of the Queen Mother's collection, and she passed it to her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II. In 2018, Princess Eugenie of York wore the Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara on her wedding day to Jack Brooksbank. Her bridal ensemble was enhanced by the tiara, which attracted attention due to its exquisite design and deep emerald hue. Lotus Flower Tiara, 1923. The Lotus Flower Tiara was made for Queen Elizabeth, sometimes known as the Queen Mother, utilizing a necklace that was given to her at her wedding by her husband, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth was the first to wear the tiara, which gained popularity as a stylish and iconic accessory in the 1920s and 1930s. In 1993, Princess Margaret's daughter-in-law, Serena, wore the tiara to her wedding after Queen Elizabeth II gave it to her, further solidifying its place in the family's history. After the Queen Mother passed away in 2002, Queen Elizabeth II received the tiara, which is currently in the Royal Collection. The fact that Catherine Middleton, now known as Catherine, Princess of Wales, has worn the Lotus Flower Tiara on several occasions, including her 2011 wedding to Prince William, guarantees its legacy as a cherished piece of royal heritage. Queen Mary's Diamond Bando Tiara, 1932. The Queen Mary's Diamond Bando Tiara is an Art Deco-inspired tiara, containing diamonds set in 11 flexible pieces with pierced interlacing ovals. The tiara is flexible and pleasant to wear because of its design. The tiara, which Queen Mary ordered in 1932, was intended to include a brooch from the County of Lincoln in the middle, which she had gotten as a wedding present in 1893. This Art Deco Bando became one of Queen Mary's most recognizable items since she wore it frequently. After Queen Mary passed away in 1953, the tiara was inherited by Queen Elizabeth II. Even though the Queen never wore the tiara, she added to its illustrious history by lending it to Meghan Markle for her 2018 nuptials with Prince Harry. Meghan Meghan wore the tiara during the wedding ceremony, marking a significant moment for both the tiara and the royal family. Halo Tiara, 1936. The Halo Tiara was a 13th anniversary gift from the Duke of York to his wife, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother in 1936. Its design features a rolling cascade of 16 scrolls set with 739 brilliant diamonds, and 149 baton diamonds. The tiara's delicate and elegant look is a great representation of elegance and eternal beauty because of the complex flowing scrollwork. When Queen Elizabeth first donned the tiara, it was one of her most prized items. She regularly wore it to state dinners and other formal events. Queen Elizabeth. The Queen Mother passed the tiara on to her daughter, Princess Elizabeth, as an 18th birthday present. During her reign, it was frequently viewed and became one of the Queen's favorite pieces. Princess Margaret borrowed the tiara in 1953 and wore it to her coronation with her sister, Queen Elizabeth II. The tiara has now been given to Catherine Middleton, Princess of Wales, during her 2011 nuptials with Prince William, carrying on its tradition as a representation of a symbol of elegance and royal tradition. Aquamarine Ribbon Tiara, 1970. In 1970, the Aquamarine Ribbon Tiara was made for Queen Elizabeth II's trip to Canada. Five aquamarines encircled by diamond ribbon pieces give the design a delicate flowing look that mirrors the ribbon-like components. After the Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara, the tiara pays further homage to the Queen's passion for aquamarines. Subsequently, the Queen gave Sophie, Countess of Wessex, her daughter-in-law, the Aquamarine Ribbon Tiara. Its importance in the royal collection has been maintained by Sophie's wearing it to a number of functions. The Tiara Politics. Now that Queen Elizabeth has died, there has been speculation as to what she bequeathed to whom. Unlike regular British citizens, a monarch's will is not a public record. This keeps secret exactly how wealthy the Queen was, and leaves a veil of mystery over which members of the royal family inherited valuable and historic tiaras and jewels. However, we can make a few educated guesses. The Queen may have granted her daughters and granddaughters the tiaras they already borrowed, either on their wedding days or for other special occasions. This way, the tiara will have a special sentimental meaning to the recipient, and be a style they admire and will want to wear again. Catherine wore the Cartier Halo on her wedding day, and borrowed Queen Mary's Lover's Knot, which was associated with Princess Diana, and the Lotus Flower Tiara for state dinners. As a future queen consort who attends far more events requiring a tiara, it makes sense for her to be granted more tiaras than other family members. Meghan wore Queen Mary's Bandeau on her wedding day. Princess Anne wore Queen Mary's Fringe at her wedding, but so did Beatrice. So this tiara may be a point of contention. Eugenie wore the Greville Emerald Kokoschnik Tiara. The Queen has already gifted both her daughter and favorite daughter-in-law tiaras, and now owns the Meander Tiara, which she will likely pass to her daughter Zara, who wore it on her wedding day. Sophie has the Aquamarine Ribbon, which will most likely go to her daughter Louise. However, rather than gifting her daughter-in-law Camilla a tiara, she made her a lifetime loan of three. The Deli Durbar, Greville Honeycomb, and Tech Crescent. As the new queen consort, Camilla will need a variety of tiaras, but the Queen would not have wanted her to own one that she might pass outside the royal family to her daughter Laura. The downside of receiving one of these historic stunners is that it will come with a 40% estate tax bill, as these diamond jewels are worth millions. That could put a princess back a pretty penny. Therefore, it is possible that all or most of the tiaras will be willed to King Charles Sand's tax and remain part of the royal collection. This way, royal family members may request to borrow them for special occasions without footing the tax bill. Of course, that means King Charles holds the keys to the jewelry box, and he has been notably stingy about granting allowances and titles to his siblings and their children, even going against his parents' wishes. So, it's possible the queen did grant tiaras, or other valuable mementos, as her final way of making sure her loved ones were looked after. The only way we'll ever know for sure is if royals make statements about which gems they received or the ensuing family drama. Which of these tiaras speaks personally to you, or have you ever dreamed of wearing them? Let us know in the comments. Don't forget to subscribe to this channel and like this video.