The Court Jeweller

Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World

Diamond Tiara Tournament: Greville vs Dutch Ears of Wheat

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Will it be the massive diamond sparkler or the delicate heirloom ears of wheat?

Chris Jackson/Getty Images, Harry Pot/Anefo/Nationaal Archief/Wikimedia Commons

The Greville Tiara vs. The Dutch Ears of Wheat Tiara
Chris Jackson/Getty Images

After the Queen Mother inherited this diamond honeycomb tiara from Mrs. Greville in the 1940s, it swiftly became one of her signature pieces. Today, the same is true of its current wearer, the Duchess of Cornwall, who has both the presence and the hair to carry off such a major tiara.
Harry Pot/Anefo/Nationaal Archief/Wikimedia Commons

The ears of wheat that make up this tiara were originally a set of eight diamond and silver brooches owned by Grand Duchess Catherine Pavlovna of Russia. They were inherited by her daughter, Queen Sophie of the Netherlands, and later set on a tiara frame. The versatile tiara has been worn as a bridal diadem by an impressive seven Dutch royal brides in recent years.

Diamond Tiara Tournament: Baden Palmette vs Vasa

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Two Scandinavian sparklers are matched up in this contest!

KELD NAVNTOFT/AFP via Getty Images, Wikimedia Commons

The Baden Palmette Tiara vs. The Vasa Tiara
KELD NAVNTOFT/AFP via Getty Images

This diamond sparkler features a palmette design that resembles romantic hearts. It was made in Germany in the middle of the nineteenth century and given by King Wilhelm of Prussia to his daughter, Grand Duchess Louise of Baden. When her daughter, Victoria, married the future King Gustaf V of Sweden, the tiara came to Scandinavia. Queen Ingrid brought the jewel to Denmark, where it’s worn by Queen Margrethe II today.
Wikimedia Commons

This small but dazzling diamond tiara was a wedding gift from the city of Stockholm to Princess Martha of Sweden on her marriage to the future King Olav V of Norway in 1929. The tiara’s name comes from Martha’s royal heritage from the old Vasa dynasty of Sweden. The tiara was subsequently worn by both of the current king’s sisters. It belongs to Princess Astrid, who has indicated that it will remain with the royal family after her eventual death — hopefully a very long time from now!