The Court Jeweller

Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World

Diamond Tiara Tournament: Imperial Chrysanthemum vs Spanish Fleur-de-Lis

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Two tiaras with important floral symbolism meet up in this contest!

MAP/AFP via Getty Images, Borja Benito – Pool/Getty Images

The Imperial Chrysanthemum Tiara vs. The Spanish Fleur-de-Lis Tiara
MAP/AFP via Getty Images

This all-diamond tiara features one of the most important symbols of the Japanese imperial family: the chrysanthemum flower. The piece was a favorite of Michiko’s mother-in-law, Empress Nagako, who wore it on Akihito and Michiko’s wedding day in 1959. Michiko has often chosen this piece for banquets. She also wore the tiara on the wedding day of her younger son, Crown Prince Fumihito, in 1990.
Borja Benito – Pool/Getty Images

This imposing diamond tiara features the fleur-de-lis, a symbol of the House of Bourbon, in its design. It was a gift from King Alfonso XIII of Spain to his bride, Queen Ena, in 1906. The sparkler passes from monarch to monarch in Spain, and it’s now being worn by Queen Letizia.

Diamond Tiara Tournament: Floral Birthday vs Crown Princely

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Will it be the dazzling diamonds from Denmark or Japan?

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images, AFP via Getty Images

Princess Benedikte’s Floral Birthday Tiara vs. The Japanese Crown Princely Tiara
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

This classic diamond floral tiara was made using a brooch that belonged to Queen Alexandrine of Denmark. In the 1960s, Queen Ingrid had the brooch supplemented with additional gemstones to form an eighteenth-birthday-gift tiara for her second daughter, Princess Benedikte. (The brooch is also still detachable.) Benedikte has worn the tiara throughout her life, and she’s also loaned it to her daughters, Princess Alexandra and Princess Nathalie.
AFP via Getty Images

Two Japanese crown princesses — Empress Michiko and Empress Masako — have worn this tiara on their wedding days. The impressive diamond scroll and ribbon tiara is part of a mirrored parure that includes a coordinating necklace. Today, the tiara is worn by Crown Princess Kiko.