Two family heirlooms face off in this contest!

Queen Maud’s Pearl Tiara vs. Queen Sofia’s Gold Bandeau

Queen Maud’s Pearl Tiara

The original version of this convertible diamond and pearl tiara was given to Queen Maud by her parents, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra of the United Kingdom, when she married the future King Haakon VII of Norway in 1896. The tiara stayed with the family for almost a century, but in 1995, it was stolen after it was sent to Garrard’s in London to be cleaned and never recovered. An exact replica was made, and that piece is now worn by Queen Sonja, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and Princess Martha Louise.

Queen Sofia’s Gold Bandeau

This golden bandeau and its coordinating jewels may look modern, but it dates back several royal generations. It belonged to Princess Pauline of Wurttemberg, the mother of Queen Sofia of Sweden. Now, the suite of semi-precious gems belongs to Princess Astrid, Sofia’s great-granddaughter, who has worn the tiara, earrings, brooch, and bracelet for more than half a century.

More necklaces and tiaras coming your way next!

This one’s a battle of the brilliants!

Queen Maud’s Diamond Tiara vs. Crown Princess Martha’s Diamond Bandeau

Queen Maud’s Diamond Tiara

This diamond sparkler was one of the wedding gifts that Queen Maud received when she married the future King Haakon VII of Norway in 1896. Originally, the piece featured an alternate turquoise setting, but now it is fixed as an all-diamond tiara. Maud wore the tiara for the coronation of her parents, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra of the United Kingdom, in 1902; she also wore it for the wedding of her son, the future King Olav, to Princess Martha of Sweden in 1929. The tiara most recently belonged to King Harald V’s late sister, Princess Ragnhild, but rumor has it that it may have returned to the Norwegian royal vaults after her death in 2012.

Crown Princess Martha’s Diamond Bandeau

This geometric diamond bandeau can also be worn as a large bracelet. The piece was given to Crown Princess Martha of Norway by her uncle and aunt, King Gustaf V and Queen Victoria of Sweden, when she married the future King Olav V of Norway in 1929. Today, it belongs to Martha’s daughter, Princess Astrid, who wears it very occasionally for gala events.

More tiaras coming your way this afternoon!

Will it be the bandeau or the converted necklace?

The Diamond Daisy Bandeau vs. The Norwegian Amethyst Parure Tiara

The Diamond Daisy Bandeau

This delicate tiara was made around 1910, but it didn’t arrive in Norway until 2001. That year, King Harald V and Queen Sonja purchased it as a wedding gift for their new daughter-in-law, Crown Princess Mette-Marit. She wore it on her wedding day, and it has been her favorite tiara in the almost two decades that have elapsed since. The sleek diamond sparkler is an excellent complement to Mette-Marit’s cool Nordic style.

The Norwegian Amethyst Parure Tiara

This diamond and amethyst tiara is a convertible jewel, able to be worn as either a tiara or a necklace. The piece is part of a parure that King Harald V gave to Queen Sonja; the set also includes earrings, bracelets, and a brooch. Today, the amethysts are primarily worn by Crown Princess Mette-Marit, but Princess Martha Louise has been known to take them out for a spin, too.

Coming up next: a major sparkling necklace, and then more tiara voting!