The Court Jeweller

Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World

New Year Tiaras in Japan

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The Japanese imperial family gathered on Tuesday in Tokyo, where Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko received the annual new year greetings at the imperial palace for the last time. We saw plenty of jewels for the event — including a tiara from a surprise attendee!

Empress Michiko has not worn tiaras for some time, but she always sparkles in fantastic jewels for this annual event. This year, she chose diamonds, including an impressive necklace with a pendant drop and earrings.

JAPAN POOL VIA JIJI PRESS/AFP/Getty Images

The biggest surprise on the day came from the woman who will become empress later this year: Crown Princess Masako, who attended the ceremony for the first time in more than a decade. In previous years, we’ve only seen photographs of her arriving at the palace.

This year, she donned the Pearl Sunburst Tiara to extend her new year greetings to her parents-in-law alongside her husband, Crown Prince Naruhito. (They will ascend to the Chrysanthemum throne when Emperor Akihito abidcates this spring.)

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Masako headed up a long line of imperial princesses at the ceremony, all of whom wore traditional parures of matching diamond and pearl jewels. After Masako, we see the Princess Akishino wearing her wedding tiara, followed by her daughters, Princess Mako (wearing her parure) and Princess Kako (wearing hers).

Next comes Princess Tomohito of Mikasa (in her diamond parure), followed by her daughters, Princess Akiko (in her parure) and Princess Yoko (in hers).

And then we’ve got a perennial favorite, the Princess Takamado, wearing her wedding parure, and Princess Tsuguko, wearing her diamond parure.

New Year Jewels in Denmark

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KELD NAVNTOFT/AFP/Getty Images

The Danish royal family attended the annual New Year’s Levee in Copenhagen on Tuesday, and we had some suitably glittering jewels (and a lot of elephants!).

KELD NAVNTOFT/AFP/Getty Images

Queen Margrethe II wore one of her standard tiaras for this event, the Pearl Poire Tiara. (Learn more about it here!) She paired the tiara with additional pearl and diamond jewels, including the brooch that was made to accompany the tiara. (More on the brooch here as well.) You’ll note that all of the royal ladies are wearing the collar of the Order of the Elephant for this occasion — it’s one of the only days in the year when the collar is worn.

KELD NAVNTOFT/AFP/Getty Images

In a departure from the norm, Crown Princess Mary didn’t wear the ruby parure for this year’s reception. (More on the rubies over here.) Instead, she chose her Edwardian Tiara (more info here!), along with the earrings she had made to match it.

KELD NAVNTOFT/AFP/Getty Images

Here’s a look at Mary’s full outfit for the evening.

KELD NAVNTOFT/AFP/Getty Images

Princess Marie, though, reached for a staple: Princess Dagmar’s Floral Tiara. (More on this family heirloom tiara here!) She paired the tiara with modern diamond earrings.

KELD NAVNTOFT/AFP/Getty Images

And here’s a view of Marie’s complete ensemble for the first levee.