Today marks the 35th Anniversary of the Death of Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg, who died on this day in 1985. The Sovereign of the world’s only Grand Duchy during one of its most tumultuous periods, Grand Duchess Charlotte also possessed a magnificent jewellery collection, the most iconic jewel commissioned and worn by her being the Luxembourg Chaumet Emerald Tiara!
Luxembourg Empire Tiara | Belgian Scroll Tiara | Luxembourg Chaumet Emerald Tiara | Chaumet Choker Tiara | Vine Leaves Tiara | Grand Duchess Adélaïde Tiara | Emerald Peacock Tiara | Aquamarine Tiara | Turquoise Tiara
In 1926, Prince Felix of Luxembourg sent a variety of old family jewels, including a massive 45-carat pear-shaped Emerald given to the Grand Ducal Family by Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria in 1859, to Chaumet to commission a new Tiara, which consisted of an Art Deco design culminating in a point that displayed the massive inverted pear-shaped Emerald.
The Chaumet Emerald Tiara was delivered around Christmas in 1926, and quickly became a favourite of Grand Duchess Charlotte, first appearing at the Wedding of Crown Prince Leopold of Belgium to Princess Astrid of Sweden.
During WWII, Grand Duchess Charlotte was a notable figure of the resistance against Nazi Germany, and the symbolism surrounding her is said to have inspired the famous Wonder Woman Tiara, which is quite similar to the Chaumet Emerald Tiara.
The Tiara continued to be a favourite after the War, and was often worn by Grand Duchess Charlotte in the years up to her abdication in 1964, and later on as well.
However, the Chaumet Emerald Tiara was not as much of a favourite of her daughter-in-law, Grand Duchess Josephine Charlotte, who notably wore it ,for a series of portraits as well as for Crown Prince Haakon’s 18th Birthday in 1991 and for King Harland and Queen Sonja’s Silver Anniversary in 1993, usually with her Emerald Peacock Necklace.
The Chaumet Emerald Tiara became a favourite of Grand Duchess Maria Theresa in the 2000s, worn most notably in her early portraits, and also at the 2011 Noble Prize Ceremony. She has often paired it with Queen Astrid’s Emerald Choker and Grand Duchess Josephine Charlotte’s Emerald Earrings, though the Tiara hasn’t been publicly worn in almost a decade. Lets hope we get to see this magnificent Art Deco Heirloom again soon.
Princess Alexandra wore the Chaumet Emerald Tiara for the first time, along with the Antique Emerald Earrings and Emerald Bangle for the Luxembourg New Years Reception in 2023.
Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie wore the Chaumet Emerald Tiara for the first time at the State Banquet for the Czech President and First Lady.
French media, cultural figure and friend of the Maison, @bernstephane unveils the secrets of one of the most incredible heritage pieces ever created by Chaumet’s jewellers, the Art Deco tiara.#12Vendome pic.twitter.com/ldfatq0zqY
— Chaumet (@Chaumet) June 13, 2020
French media, cultural figure and friend of the Maison, @bernstephane unveils the secrets of one of the most incredible heritage pieces ever created by Chaumet’s jewellers, the Art Deco tiara.#12Vendome pic.twitter.com/ldfatq0zqY
— Chaumet (@Chaumet) June 13, 2020Luxembourg Empire Tiara | Belgian Scroll Tiara | Luxembourg Chaumet Emerald Tiara | Chaumet Choker Tiara | Vine Leaves Tiara | Grand Duchess Adélaïde Tiara | Emerald Peacock Tiara | Aquamarine Tiara | Turquoise Tiara
Luxembourg Empire Tiara
Luxembourg Chaumet Emerald Tiara
Grand Duchess Adélaïde Tiara
Luxembourg Empire Tiara
Belgian Scroll Tiara
Chaumet Emerald Tiara
Grand Duchess Adélaïde Tiara
Chaumet Choker Tiara
Vine Leaves Tiara
Aquamarine Bandeau Tiara
Congo Diamond Necklace Tiara
Emerald Peacock Tiara
Diamond Floral Tiara
Citrine or Topaz Tiara
Amethyst Tiara
Turquoise Tiara
Oval Amethyst Tiara
Diamond Butterfly Tiara
Diamond Earrings
Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby Suite
Floral Diamond Necklace
Sapphire Necklace Tiara
Sapphire Bracelet Tiara
Art Deco Sapphire Necklace Tiara
Princess Ingeborg’s Pearl Brooch
Pearl Negligee Brooch
Antique Emerald Earrings
Luxembourg Royal Tiaras
Belgian Scroll Tiara
Chaumet Emerald Tiara
Grand Duchess Adélaïde Tiara
Chaumet Choker Tiara
Diamond Floral Tiara
Emerald Peacock Tiara
Congo Diamond Necklace Tiara
Diamond Earrings
Van Cleef & Arpels Ruby Suite
Floral Diamond Necklace
Sapphire Necklace Tiara
Sapphire Bracelet Tiara
Art Deco Sapphire Necklace Tiara
Princess Ingeborg’s Pearl Brooch
Pearl Negligee Brooch
Antique Emerald Earrings
Luxembourg Royal Tiaras
In 1926, Prince Felix of Luxembourg sent a variety of old family jewels, including a massive 45-carat pear-shaped Emerald given to the Grand Ducal Family by Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria in 1859, to Chaumet to commission a new Tiara, which consisted of an Art Deco design culminating in a point that displayed the massive inverted pear-shaped Emerald.
Grand Duchess Charlotte wearing the Chaumet Emerald Tiara! https://t.co/NAc26mb9jw pic.twitter.com/BsmiUyRETo
— The Royal Watcher (@saadsalman719) July 9, 2020
Grand Duchess Charlotte wearing the Chaumet Emerald Tiara! https://t.co/NAc26mb9jw pic.twitter.com/BsmiUyRETo
— The Royal Watcher (@saadsalman719) July 9, 2020Embed from Getty Images
Grand Ducal Palace, Luxembourg (1962).
Grand Duchess Charlotte and Prince Félix with their grandchildren Prince Henri (the current Grand Duke of Luxembourg) and Princess Marie-Astrid (currently Archduchess of Austria).#royalhistory pic.twitter.com/HpWJO23jYk
— RoyalArjan (@RoyalArjan) August 22, 2018
Grand Ducal Palace, Luxembourg (1962).
Grand Duchess Charlotte and Prince Félix with their grandchildren Prince Henri (the current Grand Duke of Luxembourg) and Princess Marie-Astrid (currently Archduchess of Austria).#royalhistory pic.twitter.com/HpWJO23jYk
The Chaumet Emerald Tiara was delivered around Christmas in 1926, and quickly became a favourite of Grand Duchess Charlotte, first appearing at the Wedding of Crown Prince Leopold of Belgium to Princess Astrid of Sweden. During WWII, Grand Duchess Charlotte was a notable figure of the resistance against Nazi Germany, and the symbolism surrounding her is said to have inspired the famous Wonder Woman Tiara, which is quite similar to the Chaumet Emerald Tiara. The Tiara continued to be a favourite after the War, and was often worn by Grand Duchess Charlotte in the years up to her abdication in 1964.
Grand Duchess Josephine Charlotte wearing the Chaumet Emerald Tiara! https://t.co/NAc26mb9jw pic.twitter.com/RD6CFtwAFb
— The Royal Watcher (@saadsalman719) July 9, 2020
Grand Duchess Josephine Charlotte wearing the Chaumet Emerald Tiara! https://t.co/NAc26mb9jw pic.twitter.com/RD6CFtwAFb
— The Royal Watcher (@saadsalman719) July 9, 2020
However, the Chaumet Emerald Tiara was not as much of a favourite of her daughter-in-law, Grand Duchess Josephine Charlotte, who notably wore it for an Official Portrait, and on visits to Denmark and Norway, often with her Emerald Peacock Necklace.
Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
The Chaumet Emerald Tiara became a favourite of Grand Duchess Maria Theresa in the 2000s, worn most notably in her early portraits, and also at the 2011 Noble Prize Ceremony. She has often paired it with Queen Astrid’s Emerald Choker and Grand Duchess Josephine Charlotte’s Emerald Earrings, though the Tiara hasn’t been publicly worn in almost a decade. Lets hope we get to see this magnificent Art Deco Heirloom again soon.
Princess Alexandra wore the Chaumet Emerald Tiara for the first time, along with the Antique Emerald Earrings and Emerald Bangle for the Luxembourg New Years Reception in 2023.
Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie wore the Chaumet Emerald Tiara for the first time at the State Banquet for the Czech President and First Lady.
French media, cultural figure and friend of the Maison, @bernstephane unveils the secrets of one of the most incredible heritage pieces ever created by Chaumet’s jewellers, the Art Deco tiara.#12Vendome pic.twitter.com/ldfatq0zqY
— Chaumet (@Chaumet) June 13, 2020
French media, cultural figure and friend of the Maison, @bernstephane unveils the secrets of one of the most incredible heritage pieces ever created by Chaumet’s jewellers, the Art Deco tiara.#12Vendome pic.twitter.com/ldfatq0zqY
— Chaumet (@Chaumet) June 13, 2020
This magnificent tiara has one of the largest cabochon emeralds ever, not to mention several quite large diamonds encrusted in its design. It is a superb jewel, but one that is terribly difficult to wear and not resemble Wonder Woman. Apparently Wonder Woman’s head ornament came later, but it because so iconic that most people think the tiara is the imitator. It looked its best worn across the forehead like the GD Charlotte did in the 30’s. I think it would favor the wearer a lot if the top were rounded instead of ending in a point, but I doubt that any such modification will be made. BTW, I think you have a typo at the beginning of the piece. The Grand Duchess died in 1985.