The Court Jeweller

Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World

Crown Princess Masako’s Diamond Scroll Brooch

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As the imperial transition begins in Japan today, I thought it was an especially appropriate time to highlight one of my favorite pieces from Crown Princess Masako’s jewelry box. Today, we’re looking at the diamond scroll brooch worn by the woman who soon becomes the Empress of Japan.

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The brooch is a modern piece featuring a mirrored set of scrolling elements, joined together so that they almost mimic a traditional bow or ribbon brooch.

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Here’s another view of the piece that gives you an idea of its scale and sparkle.

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The brooch is part of a larger suite of jewelry, the Japanese Crown Princely Wedding Parure. The set was worn as wedding jewelry by both Empress Michiko (in 1959) and Crown Princess Masako (in 1993). Above, you’ll spot Masako wearing the tiara and necklace from the suite on her wedding day. (Learn more about the set in our previous post here!)

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Masako has been wearing the brooch and its coordinating jewels for more than 25 years. An early appearance for the brooch came in January 1994, when she wore it with a green dress for the annual New Year’s appearance by the family on the balcony of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

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Masako paired the brooch with a vibrant orange dress in January 1998 as she joined the family for the annual New Year’s appearance on the balcony.

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And in December 1998, she pinned the brooch to a dress in a shade of coral pink during a balcony appearance celebrating her father-in-law’s birthday.

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As time went on, Masako’s tastes shifted, and she tended to prefer more neutral colors. The brooch still managed to sparkle on this cream-colored embroidered ensemble, worn for the New Year balcony appearance in January 2006.

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She repeated the same ensemble and jewels in December 2006 as her father-in-law received birthday greetings at the palace.

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She paired the brooch with pale blue and pearls in January 2014 for the New Year appearance…

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…and for the same event a year later, in January 2015.

TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/Getty Images

My favorite pairing with the brooch, though, is dark navy blue, a combination that really lets the details of the brooch shine. She wore the brooch this way for the Emperor’s birthday in December 2007…

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….and for his milestone 75th birthday the following year, in December 2008.

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One of her most recent appearances in the brooch, for the Emperor’s 85th birthday celebrations in December 2018, also saw her wearing the piece with blue.

King’s Day Jewels 2019

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On Saturday, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands celebrated his 52nd birthday in Amersfoort, where the annual Koningsdag festivities were in full swing!

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The King was joined by his wife, Queen Maxima, and their daughters, Princess Amalia, Princess Alexia, and Princess Ariane for the day.

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Maxima’s major accessory for the day was a pair of pearl drop earrings, though you can also spot the hint of a bracelet (I believe the diamond bracelet made of her family’s initials) peek out from her glove.

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We got another good look at the earrings in this touching photograph from the walkabout.

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All three of the young princesses attended to support their father and greet the people of Amersfoort.

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Fifteen-year-old Princess Amalia, who holds the title of Princess of Orange and will one day be Queen of the Netherlands, wore a brightly-printed ensemble to greet those who had gathered.

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She accessorized with a slender gold bangle on her left wrist.

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Princess Alexia, who is thirteen, wore vibrant red for the day. She also added a pair of necklaces…

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…and a small stack of age-appropriate bracelets on her left wrist.

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The youngest member of the family, twelve-year-old Princess Ariane, didn’t add any jewelry to her outfit — which was probably good for her shot!

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Several members of the extended royal family also attended the festivities, including Prince Constantijn, Princess Laurentien, and members of the van Vollenhoven branch of the family. Unfortunately, we didn’t get many close-up photos, so we don’t have good views of their jewels.

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We did, though, get a good glimpse of the bright, lovely pink drop earrings that Princess Marilene paired with her pink jacket.

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UPDATE: Here’s a look at Princess Laurentien’s statement earrings for the occasion!

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And that’s a wrap for this year’s King’s Day festivities!