Queen Mary unveils new tiara design for Denmark’s crown jewels after 180 years
Since the early 1840s, there have been no modifications made to Denmark’s crown jewels, which have closely accompanied the nation’s queen. However, that has recently changed. Queen Mary, in collaboration with the Royal Collection and jeweler Matias Hasbo Dinesen, has designed a new frame that allows the largest gemstones from the ‘rose set’ to be worn as a tiara.
The diamonds in this set have been cut to resemble rosebuds, as noted on the Royal Collection’s website. These precious stones originally belonged to Queen Sophie Magdalene, who bequeathed them to the crown in 1746. An additional collection of stones from the unmarried Princess Charlotte Amalie was added 40 years later.
By the early 1840s, changes in fashion and the way gemstones were worn prompted Queen Caroline Amalie to commission a German jewelry firm to update the crown jewels. Weishaupt & Sons created four sets of gemstone jewelry during this period.
The royal family notes that Queen Margrethe has particularly enjoyed creatively exploring the combination possibilities presented by the four sets. However, the rose set has been displayed more often in the treasury at Rosenborg Castle than worn by the queens. Queen Margrethe herself only donned it on two occasions during her reign. With this latest alteration, Queen Mary has now been given a fresh opportunity to wear these exquisite stones as a tiara for the first time since 1842. A photo of Queen Mary wearing the new tiara was shared on the royal family’s Instagram account.