The Most Beautiful Royal Jewelry Stunning Tiaras Emeralds Historic Crown Jewels.

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Step into the dazzling world of royal elegance and discover some of the most extraordinary jewels
ever created. From magnificent tiaras and emerald treasures, to historic necklaces and legendary
heirlooms, explore the beauty, craftsmanship and fascinating stories behind the most beautiful
royal jewellery, the Devonshire Opal Tiara is an extraordinary jewel featuring large black opals
surrounded by diamonds in an elegant art deco setting. Designed with versatility in mind,
the piece can also be transformed into a necklace or separated into brooches.
The tiara was created in 1937 by Cartier for Mary Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, 1895-1988,
wife of Edward Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire and daughter of James Gascoigne Cecil,
4th Marquess of Salisbury. One of the Duchess's most notable appearances wearing the jewel
took place in 1953, when she chose to wear it as a necklace for the coronation of Queen
Elizabeth II. The piece was later worn by the couple's daughter, Lady Elizabeth Cavendish,
1926-2018, who selected it for a number of official and state occasions. In 2011,
Lady Louise Barnell, daughter of the 12th Duke of Argyll, borrowed the tiara for the Royal
Caledonian Ball. The tiara remains the property of the Cavendish family, who continue to lend it for
exhibitions and special events. The Pearl Tiara of the Dukes of Alcudia is designed in the form
of a coronet featuring five strawberry leaf motifs, each centred with a natural pearl.
The base is richly decorated with pearls and diamonds set in gold and silver. The individual
elements are detachable and can also be worn as brooches. Created during the second half of the
19th century, the tiara belonged to the Dukes of Alcudia and Suica, descendants of Manuel Godoy,
the Alvarez de Faria, 1767-1851, the influential statesman and favourite of King Charles IV of
Spain. In 2002, María del Prado y Mugiro, born 1978, great-granddaughter of the 3rd Duke,
wore the tiara at her wedding to Prince Paul of Hohenlohe-Lengenburg, born 1963. In 2016,
the jewel appeared at auction and was reportedly resold at least once afterward.
The Greek Emerald Tiara is an elegant jewel featuring five round emeralds surrounded by
diamonds, positioned between decorative elements shaped like the letter E. Designed as a versatile
piece, it can also be worn as a necklace. The tiara forms part of a larger peruer that also
includes a necklace, earrings, and a corsage brooch. The tiara was created for Queen Elizabeth
of the Hellenes, 1894-1956, born Princess of Romania, using emeralds that had originally
belonged to Grand Duchess Olga Konstantinovna, grandmother of her husband, King George II of
Greece. Following the royal couple's divorce in 1935, the tiara remained in the possession of
King George II. Upon his death in 1947, it passed to his younger brother, King Paul I, 1901-1964.
His wife, Queen Frederica, 1917-1981, born Princess of Hanover, frequently wore the jewel
both as a tiara and as a necklace. In 1964, Queen Frederica presented the Emerald Perue
as a wedding gift to her daughter-in-law, Queen Anne-Marie, born 1946, who was born Princess of
Denmark. The new queen wore the tiara in official portraits and chose it for several important
occasions, including New Year celebrations in 1966 and the christening of her eldest son in 1967.
Following the abolition of the Greek monarchy, Queen Anne-Marie retained the royal jewels
and continued to wear them at significant royal gatherings.
Among these appearances were the wedding of her elder sister, Princess Benedict,
the 75th birthday celebrations of her father, King Frederick IX of Denmark,
and numerous other royal events, with the most recent public appearance recorded in 2022.
The Bedford Amethyst Tiara is a striking jewel, set with amethysts and diamonds in gold and silver.
It forms part of an impressive perue that also includes a necklace, earrings, a corsage brooch,
a bracelet, and a ring. The tiara was created during the 1870s from a remodelled diadem
that had originally belonged to Caroline Bonaparte, 1782-1839. The piece, together
with the rest of the perue, was acquired by Francis Russell, 9th Duke of Bedford, 1819-1891.
Since then, it has remained in the possession of the Bedford family for seven generations.
The jewel is also known as the Tavistock Tiara, a reference to the title Marquess of Tavistock,
traditionally held by the heirs of the Dukes of Bedford. The tiara first attracted wider public
attention during the 1950s through Lydia Russell, 1917-2006, the second wife of John Russell,
13th Duke of Bedford, born Lydia Lyle. It was later frequently worn by the next Duchess,
Nicole Russell, 1920-2012, who selected it for state openings of Parliament, formal banquets,
and grand social events. Today, the tiara continues to attract interest,
and is occasionally loaned for exhibitions and displays in different countries.
The Duchess of Manchester Emerald Necklace is an elegant 19th-century jewel dating to around
1860. It features 11 cushion-cut emeralds framed by round-cut diamonds, alternating with intricate
openwork links set with both round and rose-cut diamonds in gold and silver settings.
In 1876, the necklace was presented as a wedding gift to Maria Francisca de la Consolation,
Consuelo Schnager, 1853-1909, upon her marriage to George Montague, Viscount Mandeville,
1853-1892, who later became the 8th Duke of Manchester. The necklace was displayed at the
Victoria and Albert Museum from 1982 until 2004. Following the death of Angus Montague,
12th Duke of Manchester, 1938-2002, a significant portion of the family's historic jewels
was dispersed through sales. In 2006, the necklace appeared at a Christie's auction,
where it was acquired by Siegelson for £136,800. The piece later returned to the auction market
through Sotheby's on two occasions, first in 2015 when it remained unsold, and again in 2020
when it achieved a final price of 462,500 Swiss francs.
The Württemberg Topaz Necklace is an elegant jewel featuring pink topazes and diamonds set
in gold and silver. It forms part of a larger perue that also includes a tiara, bracelets,
a corsage brooch, and earrings. The perue was originally presented as a gift from Napoleon I,
Emperor of the French, 1769-1821, to Princess Charlotte, 1787-1847,
wife of Prince Paul of Württemberg and born Princess of Saxe-Hildberghausen.
The jewels later passed through the Württemberg royal family. In 1877, King William II of
Württemberg, 1848-1921, married Princess Marie of Waldeck and Piermont, 1857-1882,
and gifted the perue to her. Historical photographs of Princess Marie wearing the
jewels are known to exist. Princess Marie died at a young age following childbirth,
and among her children only her daughter, Princess Pauline, 1877-1965,
survived and inherited the collection. The jewels later passed to her younger son,
Prince Dietrich Souvid, 1901-1976. After Prince Dietrich's death, the perue was sold at auction
and eventually entered the collection of Swiss collector Thomas Ferber. During the 2000s and
10s, the jewels were acquired by the Japanese jewellery institute Albion Art. Since then,
the pieces have periodically appeared in exhibitions and displays in various countries.
The Dalhousie Sapphire Bando
Tiara is an elegant late 19th century jewel, featuring sapphires and diamonds set in silver
and yellow gold. Designed in the fashionable Bando style, the piece reflects the refined
aesthetic of its era. The tiara belonged to Margaret Ramsey, Countess of Dalhousie,
1914-1997, born Margaret Stirling of Kier, wife of Simon Ramsey, 16th Earl of Dalhousie.
She was photographed wearing the tiara in a number of official portraits,
helping establish the piece as part of the family's notable collection of jewels.
In 2000, the tiara was offered at a Christie's auction, where it sold for £21,150.
Two years later, the jewel reappeared on the market and was sold once again through Sotheby's.
The Countess Emo Cappadelista
Pearl Brooch is a sophisticated jewel from the 1930s, featuring a cabochon sapphire surrounded
by antique baguette-cut diamonds. The design also incorporates additional detachable elements,
including a bracelet component and a three-strand necklace of imitation pearls,
giving the piece a versatile and transformable character. The jewel belonged to the Baroness
Cappadelista, believed to have been Marina de Rajo, born 1932, wife of Count Umberto Emo
Cappadelista. In 2014, the brooch was offered at a Christie's auction, where it achieved a sale
price of 60,000 Swiss francs. The treasury of the Royal Palace in Stockholm preserves the
Royal Regalia, the historic symbols of the Swedish monarchy. Among its treasures is a crown created
in 1844, specifically for Prince Oskar, Duke of Östergötland, 1829-1907, who later ascended
the throne as King Oskar II. Its design was modelled after the crown made for Prince Karl.
The crown is decorated with precious gemstones and pearls, some of which had previously been
incorporated into earlier Royal Regalia. The treasury's collection also includes swords,
scepters, orbs, and numerous ceremonial objects connected to the history of the Swedish royal
family. Today, Sweden's Royal Regalia are no longer worn during official ceremonies.
Instead, they serve a symbolic role at important royal occasions such as weddings,
christenings, and funerals of members of the royal family. During these events,
the regalia are traditionally displayed on ceremonial cushions placed near the throne.
The Londonderry Emerald Necklace is an exceptional jewel, featuring Siberian
emeralds paired with old-cut diamonds. The set also includes matching earrings,
forming an elegant and historically significant ensemble.
The jewels were presented by Emperor Alexander I of Russia, 1777-1825, to Frances Vane,
Marchioness of Londonderry, 1800-1865, wife of Charles Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry,
who served as the British ambassador in Vienna between 1814 and 1823.
The pieces remained within the Londonderry family for many years
before eventually passing to Viscountess Mary Berry, 1921-2009, daughter of Charles Vane Tempest
Stuart, 7th Marquess of Londonderry, and wife of Derek Keppel, Viscount Berry.
Photographs of her daughter wearing the necklace and earrings are known to exist.
Today, the jewels are loaned for exhibition purposes to the Victoria and Albert Museum
in London, allowing them to remain accessible to the public while preserving their royal and
aristocratic heritage. The Duchess of Devonshire Emerald Tiara is an elegant jewel set with
emeralds and diamonds mounted in gold and silver. Its front section is designed with three interwoven
floral scroll motifs, alternating with diamond-set stems, while continuous diamond scrollwork
extends along the sides, creating a balanced and intricate composition. The tiara is transformable
and can also be worn as a necklace. It forms part of a larger perue that includes a necklace,
brooches, and earrings. The piece was created around 1890. The tiara belonged to Louise
Cavendish, 1832-1911, née Alton. She first held the title of Duchess of Manchester
through her first marriage and later became Duchess of Devonshire following her second
marriage. Today, the jewel is preserved in the collection of the Japanese Jewellery Institute,
Albion Art. The Barden Diamond Palmette Tiara was created in 1856 by the jeweller's cook
at the commission of the future German Emperor and King of Prussia, Wilhelm I, 1797-1888.
He presented the tiara to his daughter, Princess Louise of Prussia, 1838-1923,
as a wedding gift upon her marriage to Grand Duke Frederick I of Barden.
In 1881, Grand Duchess Louise passed the tiara to her daughter, Princess Victoria,
1862-1930, who later became Queen of Sweden through her marriage to the future King Gustaf
V. Following Queen Victoria's death, the jewel was inherited by her granddaughter,
Princess Ingrid of Sweden, 1910-2000, who later became Queen of Denmark.
During Queen Ingrid's lifetime, the tiara was worn by members of the royal families of Denmark
and Greece, as well as by members of the princely house of Sein-Wittgenstein,
Berleburg. Eventually, it was inherited by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, born 1940.
The tiara has developed a reputation as a particularly romantic jewel due to the
palmette motifs, whose design resembles heart shapes. Because of this association,
it has frequently appeared at royal weddings. Queen Margrethe II wore it at several major
ceremonies, including the wedding of Crown Prince Haakon of Norway in 2001, Princess
Mertha Louise of Norway in 2002, her younger son Prince Joachim of Denmark in 2008,
and Prince Carl Philip of Sweden in 2015. The crown tiara is an elaborate jewel designed as
a crown enclosed within a sculpted gold framework, featuring nine pointed elements.
These sections alternate between octagonal step-cut sapphires and diamond-set motifs,
creating a striking architectural appearance. The base, formed as a band decorated with
trefoil-shaped diamond elements, can be worn independently as a tiara,
while the nine detachable sections may also be used individually as hair ornaments.
The tiara originally belonged to Queen Maria II of Portugal and the Algarves, 1819-1853.
Following her death, it passed to her eldest daughter, Infanta Antonia Maria, 1845-1913,
who later married Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern. The jewel continued through the Hohenzollern
family and was presented in 1920 by Prince Friedrich Victor of Hohenzollern, 1891-1965.
To his fiancée, Princess Margrethe of Saxony, 1900-1962, Princess Margrethe wore the tiara
at the wedding of her son, Prince Johan Georg, to Princess Birgitta of Sweden in 1961.
Princess Birgitta herself later appeared wearing the piece at the wedding celebrations of the
future Queen Margrethe II of Denmark in 1967. In 2021, the tiara was offered at a Christie's
auction, with an estimated value of €175,000 to €360,000. The jewel ultimately far exceeded
expectations, achieving a final sale price of €1,820,000.
The Manchester Tiara is a distinctive jewel designed as a series of flaming heart motifs
connected by C-shaped scrolls, embellished with round-cut and rose-cut diamonds alongside
imitation stones. Its dramatic and highly decorative composition reflects the elaborate
style of the early 20th century. The tiara was created by Cartier in 1903 for Consuelo Montague,
Dowager Duchess of Manchester, 1853-1909. Born Maria Francisca de la Consolación Isnarga,
wife of George Montague, 8th Duke of Manchester. More than 1,000 round-cut diamonds and approximately
400 rose-cut diamonds supplied by the Duchess herself were used in its creation.
After her death, the tiara passed to her only son, William Montague, 9th Duke of Manchester,
1877-1947. His wife, Helen Montague, 1878-1971, born Zimmerman, wore the jewel at the coronation
of King George V in 1911. Despite the financial difficulties experienced by the family during
the 20th century, the tiara remained in Manchester family ownership for many decades.
Between 1988 and 2006, it was publicly displayed for the first time at the Victoria and Albert
Museum in London. Following the death of Angus Montague, 12th Duke of Manchester, 1938-2002,
many of the family's historic jewels were dispersed through sales.
The tiara itself was accepted by the British government in lieu of inheritance tax,
and was subsequently transferred to the Victoria and Albert Museum,
where it remains part of the collection today. The Countess of Plymouth tiara is an elaborate
jewel featuring a diamond-set base accented with triangular emerald elements.
Above this foundation rise decorative diamond motifs in the form of hearts and leaves,
each adorned with a step-cut emerald at the base and a lozenge-shaped diamond above.
These sections alternate with smaller diamond separators, while a prominent square-cut emerald
occupies the centre of the composition. The tiara forms part of a larger perue that also
includes a necklace, two pendants, and matching earrings. The jewel belonged to the family of the
Earls of Plymouth, and is believed to contain emeralds originating from the collection of
their ancestor, Robert Clive, the Governor of Bengal. In 1953, Caroline Helen Windsor Clive,
1931-2016, born wife and wife of the 3rd Earl of Plymouth, wore the tiara together with other
jewels from the perue at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
