Danish Crown Diamond Parure

This week, Queen Margrethe of Denmark will celebrate her 80th Birthday and while the big celebrations to mark the day have been cancelled, we are still continuing with our series on her Top 8 Jewels to mark her 80th Birthday, continuing with the Danish Crown Diamond Parure.

Featuring a magnificent diamond necklace with seven pendants, a large corsage brooch, a pair of earrings, and two large pear-shaped diamonds, the largest pendant in the necklace belonged to Queen Sophie Magdalene, the six smaller ones to Queen Caroline Mathilde, and the two drop-earrings come from Queen Juliane Marie. The parure was assembled by C.M. Weisshaupt in 1840, for Queen Caroline Amalie, the Consort of King Christian VIII, ahead of the last Danish Coronation.

Queen Caroline Amalie wore the magnificent Danish Crown Diamond Parure to the Coronation in 1840, and left it to the Dansih Crown Jewels upon her passing in 1881.

Queen Louise paired the Crown Diamond Parure with her Pearl and Diamond Tiara, and was somehow able to take the necklace to Britain for the Wedding of her grandson, the future King George V, in 1893.

Queen Lovisa wore the Crown Diamond Parure with Queen Josefina’s Diamond Tiara. Queen Alexandrine was not pictured in the Crown Diamond Parure, but in 1914, she sent the Danish Crown Jewels for safekeeping to Rosenborg Castle, where they went on public display.

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

Queen Ingrid was frequently pictured wearing the Danish Crown Diamond Parure, reserving the necklace for really special occasions, like the Wedding of Queen Margrethe and King Frederik IX’s 70th Birthday in 1969, pairing it with the Floral Aigrette Tiara.

Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images

Queen Margrethe has been wearing the Danish Crown Diamond Parure since soon after her accession in 1972, also reserving the parure for the most special occasions, like Official Portraits, the annual New Year’s Gala, important State Visits, and the Wedding of Crown Prince Frederik in 2004. We had expected to see the Parure at Queen Margrethe’s 80th Birthday celebrations, but lets hope we get to see it again soon!

The Danish Crown Jewels are owned by the state but remain at the disposal of the Queen, By custom, they remain in Denmark and cannot be taken visits to other countries, and when not being used, they are kept on permanent display in the treasure chamber at Rosenborg Castle (where I got to see them just a few weeks ago).

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The Danish Crown Jewels also have another diamond parure, which features a rose-cut diamond riviere with a large diamond brooch that divides into 4 smaller brooches, and was also made in 1840 by C.M. Weisshaupt, with diamonds that belonged to Princess Charlotte Amalie, a sister of King Christian VI. Not one of the most worn jewels, it was rarely seen on Queen Ingrid and Queen Margrethe has only been pictured in the parure once, during a Norwegian State Visit in 1991.

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Danish Pearl Poiré Tiara

Danish Emerald Parure

Baden Palmette Tiara

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

One thought on “Danish Crown Diamond Parure

  1. The Danish Crown Diamond parure is exquisite, especially the necklace! They compare favorably with any necklace in any other royal family in style and size. Magnificent!

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