Queen Margrethe’s Gold, Ruby, and Pearl Parure

Prince Henrik of Denmark, consort for 46 years, passed away this week, and to honour his memory, we are taking a look at some of his glittering gifts to the Danish Royal Ladies over the years. Click HERE to learn about Queen Margrethe’s Engagement Ring, and HERE for Crown Princess Mary’s Diamond Flower Brooch. Today’s feature is Queen Margrethe’s Gold, Ruby, and Pearl Parure

Queen Margrethe’s Engagement Ring | Wedding Earrings | Silver Anniversary Suite | Modern Turquoises | Diamond Flower Brooch | Tahitian Pearl Necklace | Danish Pearl Poiré Tiara | Danish Emerald Parure | Danish Crown Diamond Parure | Antique Diamond Parure | Antique Turquoise Parure | Baden Palmette Tiara | Daisy Brooch | Crown Pearl and Ruby Parure | Queen Alexandrine’s Sapphire Parure 

When Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik were celebrating their Silver Anniversary in 1992, Prince Henrik designed this striking necklace and pair of earrings of gold with pearls and rubies, which which the central clasp can be detached to be worn as a brooch.

In the necklace, you see a man and a woman looking out at the world, while lifting a precious stone in one hand. Other parts carry the theatre’s symbols, comedy and tragedy. The lock is a heart of solid gold, decorated with axis of grain and vines, symbolising Denmark and France.

Prince Henrik had this Gold, Ruby and Pearl Suite created by goldsmith Torben Hardenberg, where Queen Margrethe also commissioned her Anniversary Gift, as she related:

My husband wanted to do something for me, and he went to Hardenberg. At the same time, I had found out that I had to get a present for my husband. I also went to Hardenberg with that and asked him to make it.

I had no idea that my husband had been to Hardenberg, and my husband had no idea that I was to Hardenberg,

Hardenberg claimed that he had to do old-fashioned comedy, in and out the door, so that we wouldn’t meet. How he managed? It was really funny.

Queen Margrethe debuted the Brooch of the Gold, Ruby and Pearl Suite for the Service of Thanksgiving, a Carriage Ride through Copenhagen, and an Appearance at the Balcony of Amalienborg Palace to mark their Silver Anniversary.

That evening, Queen Margrethe wore the Necklace of her Silver Anniversary Suite with the Floral Aigrette Tiara and Antique Diamond Earrings for the Silver Anniversary Gala at Fredensborg Palace.

Queen Margrethe has worn her Gold, Ruby and Pearl Suite on numerous occasions over the past three decades, including for Queen Beatrix’s 60th Birthday Gala at the Royal Palace of Amsterdam in 1998.

Queen Margrethe has mainly worn the Silver Anniversary Suite for Return Dinners during State Visits and Concerts, like the Return Dinner hosted by Turkish President Abdullah Gul during their State Visit in 2014.

Also in 2014, Queen Margarethe choose her Silver Anniversary Suite for Prince Henrik’s 80th Birthday Gala in Copenhagen, a symbolic choice.

In 2017, Queen Margrethe wore the Silver Anniversary Suite, with the Brooch rather than the necklace, at a Return Reception held by the Icelandic President and First Lady at the waterfront cultural centre Nordatlantens Brygge in Copenhagen.

Later that year, Queen Margrethe wore the necklace of the Silver Anniversary Suite for a Concert at Fredensborg Palace, which was its final appearance just a few months before Prince Henrik’s passing.

To mark Queen Margrethe’s Golden Jubilee in 2022, the Silver Anniversary Suite was among the jewels on display in the legendary ‘A Queen’s Jewellery Box’ Exhibition at the Amalienborg Palace Museum, where we saw it during the Jubilee Celebrations.

Following her Abdication last month, Queen Margrethe has passed all the heirlooms of the Danish Crown to the new Queen Mary, but the Silver Anniversary Suite is among her remaining personal jewels, which we can hope to see, possibly with the Nassut Tiara or the Golden Poppies Tiara, for years to come!

Queen Margrethe’s Engagement Ring | Wedding Earrings | Silver Anniversary Suite | Modern Turquoises | Diamond Flower Brooch | Tahitian Pearl Necklace | Danish Pearl Poiré Tiara | Danish Emerald Parure | Danish Crown Diamond Parure | Antique Diamond Parure | Antique Turquoise Parure | Baden Palmette Tiara | Daisy Brooch | Crown Pearl and Ruby Parure | Queen Alexandrine’s Sapphire Parure 

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Danish Pearl Poiré Tiara

Danish Emerald Parure

Baden Palmette Tiara

The Jewels of the Queens of Denmark 

Danish Crown Diamond Parure

The Danish Ruby Parure

Khedive of Egypt Tiara

Antique Diamond Parure

Antique Turquoise Parure

Daisy Brooch

Crown Pearl and Ruby Parure

Queen Alexandrine’s Sapphire Parure

Floral Bracelet Choker

Ruby Horseshoe Brooch

Queen Margrethe’s Engagement Ring

Connaught Pearl Brooch

Queen Josefina’s Diamond Brooches

Queen Margrethe’s Pearl and Diamond Corsage

Danish Royal Tiaras | The Jewels of Queen Margrethe II of Denamrk | Danish Royal Orders

Wedding Tiara

Diamond Necklace Tiara

Midnight Tiara

Princess Dagmar’s Diamond Floral Tiara

Alexandrine Drop Tiara

Wedding Earrings

Diamond Fringe Earrings

Aquamarine Jewels

Amethyst Earrings

Connaught Sapphire Brooch

Diamond Flower Brooch

Diamond Flower Earrings

Ole Lynggaard Brooch

Created by Torben Hardenberg, this parure features a pearl necklace with ruby drops and a gold clasp with coordinating earrings. The clasp can also be worn as a brooch. It was presented to Queen Margrethe as a Silver Wedding Anniversary gift from Prince Henrik in 1992, who wore the necklace for the first time for a Gala at Fredensborg Palace that evening.

Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images

While not a firm favourite, Queen Margrethe wears the parure a couple of times a year, mainly for Return Dinners during State Visits and concerts, like the Icelandic Return Dinner last year. The set coordinates with her lace outfits, and is quite reflective of Queen Margrethe’s whimsical personality.

The parure was last seen at a concert at Fredensborg Palace last October.

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3 thoughts on “Queen Margrethe’s Gold, Ruby, and Pearl Parure

  1. Well, it may not be my favorite, but I’m sure Queen Margrethe likes it. If she likes the golden poppies, why not this ruby and pearl demi-parure? TBH, I think it’s ok, but it would be greatly improved if it had white gold instead of the yellow.

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