Queen Mary debuts redesigned sapphire tiara at state banquet
Monday 19th October 2026 on 21:15 in
Denmark
Queen Mary wore a redesigned sapphire tiara in public for the first time at a state banquet for Vietnam’s president and his wife, DR reports.
The tiara was originally a sapphire jewel given to Queen Alexandrine by Tsar Nicholas II as a wedding gift in 1898, when she married the future King Christian X. According to Billed-Bladet, it is set with eight Ceylon sapphires weighing 33 carats in total, along with numerous diamonds.
The jewel belonged to the Rosenborg family for many years. Sisters Josephine, Camilla and Feodora of Rosenborg sold it at auction in 2018 for two million kroner to an unidentified buyer. Its current value is not known.
The Royal Collection acquired the tiara from a private owner in 2024. Mary helped redesign it, the Royal Household says, in a way that respects its history and tradition while making it suitable for use today. It can now also be worn as a necklace or brooch.
The banquet at Christiansborg Palace was hosted by King Frederik and Queen Mary for Vietnam’s President Tô Lâm and his wife, Ngô Phương Ly, who are on a state visit to Denmark. The visit marks 55 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries and includes efforts to strengthen business ties.
Crown Prince Christian attended in the Life Guards’ red gala uniform and wore the Grand Commander Cross, which his father awarded him on Thursday for his birthday. The decoration is the highest grade of the Order of the Dannebrog and is awarded only to members of royal families who are already Knights of the Order of the Elephant.
King Frederik also awarded Tô Lâm the Order of the Elephant. The president has faced accusations of corruption, human rights violations and suppressing opponents. Exiled Vietnamese gathered outside the palace to protest the visit, DR’s reporter said, citing concerns about the Vietnamese government’s treatment of political opponents, rights violations and surveillance.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Europeans need to build strong alliances around the world, particularly in Asia. The state visit continues until Wednesday, when the king and queen are due to bid farewell to the Vietnamese president and his wife at Amalienborg Palace.