The Royals are known for their tiaras, and all of them have been passed down through the years. Each tiara tells a story of history, love, and royal tradition. In this guide, we will explore the most iconic British Royal Tiaras and some of their fascinating facts.
Queen Mary’s Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara
This tiara was gifted to Queen Mary in 1893 for her wedding. Over the next several decades, it became one of her most treasured pieces. After 50 years, she eventually passed it down to her granddaughter, Princess Elizabeth. From there, the tiara gained an even deeper sense of family history. And when Elizabeth later married Prince Philip, it effortlessly became part of her own wedding story.
The Lover’s Knot tiara
The house of Garrard made this lover’s knot tiara for Queen Mary in 1913. It combines silver and gold and features 19 pearls. Later, Queen Elizabeth inherited it.
The Danish Ruby Tiara
The Danish Ruby Tiara traces its origins to the Court of Napoleon. Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, who later became King of Sweden, and his wife originally commissioned it. The design features rubies that resemble small berries. The tiara arrived in Denmark in 1869 when one of Bernadotte’s descendants married the Danish king.
Belgian Sapphire tiara
As its name suggests, the Belgian Sapphire Tiara originally belonged to Princess Louise of Belgium. The Queen later bought it at an auction in the 1970s.
Queen Mary’s Bandeau Tiara
Queen Mary’s Bandeau Tiara, created in 1932, features a detachable centerpiece made up of ten brilliant diamonds. The Duchess of Sussex wore it on her wedding day to Prince Harry.
The Stuart Tiara
The Stuart Tiara’s centerpiece is a 39.75-carat diamond that once belonged to England’s King William II and Queen Mary II. It is now worn by Queen Máxima of the Netherlands.
The Lotus Flower tiara
This tiara was made from a necklace gifted to the Queen Mother for her wedding. Over the years, Princess Margaret and the Duchess of Cambridge have both worn this tiara.
Baden Fringe tiara
The Baden Fringe Tiara, shown here on Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, features 47 diamond rays and dates back to the 1880s.
Cartier Halo tiara
The Cartier Halo Tiara, most recently worn by the Duchess of Cambridge on her 2011 wedding day, features 739 brilliant-cut diamonds and 149 baguette diamonds. Cartier created it in 1936 for the Queen Mother.
Rules for wearing the Royal Tiaras
- Some Tiaras are usually worn by married royal women.
- They are most often worn at special occasions such as coronations and banquets.
- Most tiaras belong to the royal family, while a few are personal pieces that members can borrow. The monarch decides who may wear them.
- Each of the Tiaras has its own personal or historical significance; some are family milestones, and some are gifts, but each holds meaningful pieces.
How many are there in total?
The estimated Number of tiaras in the British Royal collection is 40-50, but the exact number is unknown. Some remain rarely seen, as the Royal Vault keeps them hidden.
Final Thoughts
As we wrap this up, it becomes pretty obvious that British royal tiaras aren’t just shiny things the royals wear. They’ve been around for years, passed from one person to another, and each one has its own little backstory. Some were worn at weddings, some at really important events, and they’ve all seen more than we probably realize. And honestly, learning about where they came from and who wore them is what makes them interesting not the sparkle.
-Sam
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