Happy Birthday to Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, who celebrates her 82nd Birthday today! The exuberant Danish Queen has many spectacular Heirlooms from the Danish and Swedish Royal Family’s, including today’s piece: Queen Sofia’s Pearl and Diamond Corsage!
Composed of baroque pearls and brilliant-cut diamonds set in gold, this splendid Pearl and Diamond Corsage originates from Queen Sofia of Sweden, dating from around 1850. The Corsage seems to have been left to her granddaughter-in-law, Crown Princess Margareta, who notably wore it for a Portait, paired with her Diamond Earrings, as well as for the Wedding of her brother, Prince Arthur of Connaught, and Princess Alexandra, Duchess of Fife in 1913, with the Khedive of Egypt Tiara and Connaught Diamond Necklace.
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After Crown Princess Margareta’s death, the Pearl and Diamond Corsage was inherited by her only daughter, who became Queen Ingrid of Denmark, and was notably pictured wearing the Corsage on a variety of occasions, including for the British State Visit to Denmark in 1957.
Queen Ingrid retained the Corsage during her widowhood, wearing it occasionally.
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After Queen Ingrid’s death in 2000, the Pearl and Diamond Corsage was among the jewels inherited by her elder daughter, Queen Margrethe, who has worn the piece occasionally over the past few decades, most notably for the Danish State Visit to Thailand in 2001, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Dinner at Windsor Castle in 2002, and for the Culture and Sport Gala at Christiansborg Palace in 2009.
The most recent appearance of the Pearl and Diamond Corsage came at a Banquet at Christiansborg Palace in 2018, when it was paired with the Floral Aigrette Tiara, pieces from the Antique Diamond Parure and the Floral Bracelet Choker.
Currently, Queen Sofia’s Pearl and Diamond Corsage is on display at the ‘A Queen’s Jewelry Box/En Dronnings Smykkeskrin‘ at the Amalienborg Palace Museum, and can be viewed till October 2022. There is no doubt we will continue to see this splendid Heirloom for years to come!