The late Queen Anne of Romania was born on this day in 1923, exactly 95 years ago! The Bourbon-Parma Princess became the last Queen of Romania, and spent the majority of her life in exile. Not known for wearing a lot of grand jewels, we have already covered her appearances in the Romanian Greek Key Tiara, and today we are taking a look at one of her lesser-known pieces, her Sapphire Demi-Parure.
Romanian Greek Key Tiara | Diamond Spike Tiara | Schaumburg-Lippe Sapphire Tiara | Pearl Earrings | Sapphire Necklace | Diamond Sautoir | Fleur-de-Lys Brooch
The exact origin of the Tiara is unknown, but like all of her jewels, it was personally acquired by Princess Viggo of Denmark, a wealthy American Heiress. The Necklace also has a coordinating Sapphire and Diamond Brooch.
Princess Viggo wore her Sapphire and Diamond Necklace with her Diamond Spike Tiara for a Return Banquet on board the Royal Yacht Britannia during the British State Visit to Denmark in 1957.
Princess Viggo may have also worn the Sapphire Necklace with her Diamond Fringe Tiara for the Wedding Ball of King Constantine II of Greece and Princess Anne Marie of Denmark at the Royal Palace of Athens in 1964.
After the childless Princess Viggo’s death in 1966, her Jewels were divided between several family members. Her Garnet Kokoshnik Tiara and Moonstone Tiara went to her nephew, Count Flemming of Rosenborg to be worn by his wife Countess Ruth, while a Diamond Scroll Tiara and her Diamond Fringe Tiara was inherited by his brother, Prince George. A Diamond Spike Tiara was inherited by another nephew, Count Christian of Rosenborg, while this Sapphire Necklace was left to another niece, Queen Anne of Romania.
Queen Anne mentioned the fact that her sapphires had been inherited from a Danish Aunt during a photo session that we organized with her for Point de Vue ages ago.
She came to the studio with a sort of pouch in which she had put some jewels she thought might be nice for the photo session. The sapphire necklace was there and one of the person present asked her about the provenance of that piece. She answered it was a legacy from a Danish Aunt.
Queen Anne wore Princess Viggo’s Sapphire and Diamond Necklace with the Schaumburg-Lippe Sapphire Tiara and Pearl Earrings for the Wedding Ball of Princess Caroline of Monaco and Philippe Junot in 1978.
Crown Princess Margareta borrowed Princess Viggo’s Sapphire and Diamond Necklace for a Debutante Ball in Geneva in 1986.
Queen Anne also the Sapphire and Diamond Necklace for the 50th Birthday of King Constantine II of Greece at Spencer House in London in 1990 as well as for Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik’s 25th Wedding Anniversary in 1992.
While Queen Anne was rarely pictured wearing most jewels, she notably wore Princess Viggo’s Sapphire and Diamond Necklace on numerous occasions, among them the Wedding of Infanta Elena of Spain in 1995 and also the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1997.
Shortly Queen Anne’s passing in 2016, Princess Viggo’s Sapphire and Diamond Necklace was inherited by Crown Princess Margareta who wore it at a Reception for King Michael’s 95th Birthday two months later.
Just a few weeks later, Crown Princess Margareta wore the Sapphire and Diamond Necklace for a Diplomatic Reception at the Royal Palace of Bucharest, though lets hope we see this heirloom worn again soon!
Schaumburg-Lippe Sapphire Tiara
Greek Key Tiara
Cartier Essex Tiara
Diamond Suite
Fleur-de-Lys Brooch
Queen Anne’s Sapphire Parure
Romanian Greek Key Tiara
Queen Sophie’s Diamond Tiara
Russian Sapphire Earrings
Russian Sapphire Brooch
Fleur-de-Lys Brooch
Diamond Sautoir
Vladimir Sapphire Kokoshnik
Romanian Massin Tiara
Fringe Tiara
Diamond Loop Tiara
Cartier Pearl Tiara
Cartier Sapphire Pendant
Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna’s Pearl Brooch
Cartier Diamond Sautoir
Emerald Tiara
Fringe Tiara
Gold Tiara
Cartier Diamond Eagle
Greek Emerald Parure
Queen Marie of Romania’s Cartier Pearl Tiara
Cartier Sapphire Necklace
Vladimir Sapphire Kokoshnik
Diamond Scroll Tiara
Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna’s Pearl Brooch
Romanian Greek Key Tiara | Diamond Spike Tiara | Schaumburg-Lippe Sapphire Tiara | Sapphire Suite | Pearl Earrings | Fleur-de-Lys Brooch | Diamond Sautoir | The Jewels of Queen Anne of Romania
Queen Anne inherited the Sapphire Demi-Parure, which includes a necklace, earrings, and a brooch, from one of her Danish Aunts, quite likely Princess Viggo, who seems to have worn it for a Return Banquet on board the Royal Yacht Britannia during the British State Visit to Denmark in 1957. After the childless Princess Viggo’s death in 1966, her Jewels were divided between several family members. The Opal Tiara went to her nephew, Count Flemming of Rosenborg to be worn by his wife Countess Ruth, while the Diamond Scroll Tiara was inherited by his brother, Prince George, who left it to his stepdaughter, Lady Elizabeth Anson. A faux copy of the Diamond Scroll Tiara was inherited by another nephew, Count Christian of Rosenborg, while this Sapphire Parure was left to niece, Queen Anne of Romania.
Queen Anne wore the piece at quite a few events, including the Wedding Ball of Princess Caroline and Philippe Junot (with the Schaumburg-Lippe Sapphire Tiara), the 50th Birthday of King Constantine of Greece, and Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik’s 25th Wedding Anniversary. Queen Anne also loaned the necklace to her eldest daughter, Crown Princess Margretha, for a Gala in the 1980s.
After Queen Anne’s passing in 2016, the Sapphire Demi-Parure was inherited by Crown Princess Margretha, who has worn it quite a few times recently, including a reception for King Michael’s 95th Birthday and a formal Diplomatic Reception. There is no doubt the piece will be worn for years to come, maybe even at the upcoming wedding of former Prince Nicholas of Romania in a few days.
Romanian Greek Key Tiara | Diamond Spike Tiara | Schaumburg-Lippe Sapphire Tiara | Sapphire Suite | Pearl Earrings | Fleur-de-Lys Brooch | Diamond Sautoir | The Jewels of Queen Anne of Romania
This is a very lovely demi-parure, one that seems to flatter everyone who wears it! I don’t know if HM Margarita will wear it to her nephew’s wedding since as I understand it the royal house hasn’t said one way or another. His mother Princess Helen has said she will not attend, so in view of that, maybe the chances of his aunt attending are pretty slim? I don’t know. Hopefully they’ll have a change of heart!
It really is lovely! I actually wrote the article before the news came out, but I’m hoping someone wears it soon!
Me too! 🙂