Queen Alexandrine’s Diamond Bandeau

Today marks the Anniversary of the birth of Queen Alexandrine of Denmark, the grandmother of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, who was born on this day in 1879. To mark the Anniversary, we are taking a look at her delicate Diamond Bandeau Tiara:

Queen Alexandrine’s Fringe Tiara | Russian Sapphire Tiara | Diamond Bandeau | Sapphire Parure | Diamond Sautoir | Ruby Bow Brooch | Pearl and Diamond Brooch | Sapphire Brooch

Featuring a design of a row of leaves inside two rows of diamonds, topped with a diamond scroll element, the delicate Diamond Bandeau was a gift from King Christian X to Queen Alexandrine to mark their Silver Wedding Anniversary in 1923. Queen Alexandrine did not wear many grand jewels, which made this a suitable gift, but she was only depicted wearing this bandeau in a drawing from the 1930s.

After her death in 1952, Queen Alexandrine’s Diamond Bandeau was inherited by her eldest granddaughter, Princess Elisabeth of Denmark, who often wore the Tiara in her younger years, before she began wearing Princess Thyra’s Sapphire Tiara, and the Tiara was last worn at Prince Henrik’s 75th Birthday in 2009.

Princess Elisabeth often loaned Queen Alexandrine’s Diamond Bandeau to her niece, Countess Josephine of Rosenborg, who first wore it at her wedding in 1988, and more recently in a series of portraits and at Crown Prince Frederik’s Wedding, Queen Margrethe’s 70th Birthday, and Queen Margrethe’s Ruby Jubilee Gala in 2012. The Diamond Bandeau was probably inherited by Countess Josephine after Princess Elisabeth’s death in 2017, and while we missed a chance to see it at Queen Margrethe’s Birthday celebrations this year, let’s hope we see it again soon!

Queen Alexandrine’s Fringe Tiara | Russian Sapphire Tiara | Diamond Bandeau | Sapphire Parure | Diamond Sautoir | Ruby Bow Brooch | Pearl and Diamond Brooch | Sapphire Brooch

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One thought on “Queen Alexandrine’s Diamond Bandeau

  1. Golly! I had never seen photos of Princess Elizabeth when she was young! She looks quite fetching in that first photo with Princess Margaret. Queen Alexandrine’s Diamond Bandeau is lovely. It’s not a grand piece, but it’s perfect for aristocrats a bit removed from the main line. Too bad Denmark doesn’t have a jewel foundation. If they did, everyone could get a chance to wear it, including the your princesses Isabella and Josephine. But, that’s not the way the Danish royals roll! 🙂

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