Will it be the Danish rubies or the Belgian diamonds?
Chris Jackson/Getty Images, Sean Gallup/Getty Images |
The Danish Ruby Parure Tiara vs. The Brabant Laurel Wreath Tiara
Chris Jackson/Getty Images |
This tiara began its life as a series of hair combs, purchased by Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte for his wife, Desiree, to wear at Napoleon’s coronation in 1804. When Bernadotte was elected King of Sweden, the rubies became royal jewels. The combs were made into a bandeau by Queen Alexandrine of Denmark, who had received them from her mother-in-law, Lovisa of Sweden. Queen Ingrid turned the bandeau into a grand wreath tiara, which is now worn by Crown Princess Mary of Denmark.
Mark Renders/Getty Images |
This antique diamond laurel wreath tiara, made in England in 1912, was given to Queen Mathilde of the Belgians by a group of aristocrats as a wedding present in 1999. She has worn the lovely convertible jewel often over the last two decades, both as a tiara and a necklace.