Will it be the floral diamonds or the pear-shaped pearls?

The Danish Floral Aigrette vs. The Pearl Poire Tiara

The Danish Floral Aigrette

Some believe that this incredible, flexible floral ornament originally belonged to Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna of Russia, grandmother of King Frederik IX. We know for sure, though, that in the 1960s it belonged to a famous Danish-American tenor, Lauritz Melchior. He sold it to King Frederik in 1963, and it’s been sparkling on the heads of Queen Ingrid and Queen Margrethe II ever since. Queen Margrethe is especially inventive in the ways she wears the three-sectioned tiara.

The Pearl Poire Tiara

One of the most important tiaras in the Danish royal collection, this sparkler came to Denmark via Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden. It was given to Princess Louise of Prussia when she married Prince Frederick of the Netherlands in 1825, and it was inherited in quick succession by her daughter, Queen Louise of Sweden and Norway, and her granddaughter, Queen Lovisa of Denmark. Lovisa brought the tiara to Copenhagen, where it has been worn by a succession of Danish queens: Queen Alexandrine, Queen Ingrid, and now Queen Margrethe II. It features a coordinating brooch and is often worn with a pearl necklace and earrings given to Lovisa by the Khedive of Egypt.

We’ve got a sparkling tiara and a dainty necklace coming up next!

It’s a battle of two great Danish royal parures!

The Danish Ruby Parure Tiara vs. The Danish Emerald Parure Tiara

The Danish Ruby Parure Tiara

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.

The Danish Emerald Parure Tiara

One of the grandest tiaras in the Danish crown jewel collection, this diamond and emerald sparkler was made in 1840 by C.M. Weisshaupt. The emeralds are even older: they belonged to Queen Sophie Magdalene and Princess Charlotte. The emeralds are reserved for the use of Denmark’s queen, so Queen Margrethe II is their current wearer. When they’re not in use, though, you can visit them on display at Rosenborg Castle.

More tiaras and necklaces coming up next!