The Court Jeweller

Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World

Diamond Tiara Tournament: Mary’s Fringe vs Art Deco Bandeau

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Which geometric diamond sparkler is your favorite?

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Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara vs. Queen Elisabeth’s Art Deco Bandeau
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Queen Mary commissioned this classic diamond fringe tiara in 1919 as an alternative to the older and more unwieldy Queen Adelaide Fringe. The new fringe tiara later became a favorite of the Queen Mother, who loaned it to a pair of royal brides: Queen Elizabeth II in 1947 and Princess Anne in 1973. In 2020, it was used as a bridal tiara again by the Queen’s granddaughter, Princess Beatrice of York.
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This petite-but-powerful bandeau features diamonds set in a zig-zag patterned, punctuated by round brilliants and crossed by a diamond laurel wreath. The convertible tiara was first worn by Queen Elisabeth of Belgium and later given to Queen Paola. She’s loaned it to two family brides: Queen Mathilde in 1999, and Elisabetta Rosboch von Wolkenstein in 2014.

Diamond Tiara Tournament: Khedive of Egypt vs Mary’s Bandeau

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Which royal wedding tiara will get your vote?

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The Khedive of Egypt Tiara vs. Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau
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The diamond scroll tiara, made by Cartier, was Crown Princess Margareta of Sweden’s wedding gift from Khedive Abbas II of Egypt. The gift was especially sentimental, because Margareta and her husband, the future King Gustaf VI Adolf, had fallen in love in Cairo. The lovely jewel was able to be worn as a traditional tiara, or taken off the frame and worn as a corsage ornament. When Margaret died, the tiara was inherited by her only daughter, Queen Ingrid of Denmark. All three of Ingrid’s daughters, as well as three of her granddaughters, have worn the tiara on their wedding days. When Ingrid died in 2000, the tiara was bequeathed to her youngest daughter, the former Queen Anne-Marie of Greece. She continues to wear the jewel (and lend it to other family members) today.
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Queen Mary had this sleek diamond bandeau made in 1932 to showcase the County of Lincoln Brooch, which she’d received as a wedding present in 1893. Mary wore the tiara occasionally, but in May 2018, it garnered major attention when it was worn as a bridal tiara by the Duchess of Sussex.

Diamond Tiara Tournament: Savoy-Aosta vs Dutch Laurel Wreath

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Both of these diamond tiaras take their inspiration from the natural world!

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The Savoy-Aosta Tiara vs. The Dutch Laurel Wreath Tiara
Sean Gallup/Getty Images

This intricate diamond tiara originally belonged to a French princess, Anne d’Orleans, who married into the Italian royal family. The piece was inherited by Anne’s daughter, Princess Margherita of Savoy, who passed it along to her eldest son, Prince Lorenz. He became a Prince of Belgium through his marriage to Princess Astrid, who is now the primary wearer of the tiara. You’ll often spot Astrid wearing this one at state banquets and royal weddings.
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The Dutch royal vault is the home of this classic diamond laurel wreath tiara, which is inspired by the wreaths worn to represent victory and power in the ancient world. The small profile of the tiara has made it an excellent “starter” tiara for Dutch princesses, especially Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands. It’s also become a popular wedding tiara for members of the family, having been worn by both Princess Laurentien and Princess Maria Carolina at their weddings.