Happy Birthday to Countess Karin of Rosenborg, who turns 85 today! The widow of the late Count Christian of Rosenborg, a great-grandson of King Christian IX of Denmark, Countess Karin possesses Princess Viggo’s spectacular Diamond Spike Tiara, which we are featuring today!
A striking Diamond Spike Tiara of unknown origin, the Tiara was likely acquired by Princess Viggo, a wealthy American Heiress, and most notably worn with her Sapphire Parure for a Return Banquet on board the Royal Yacht Britannia during the British State Visit to Denmark.
In 1962, the Princess Viggo loaned the Diamond Spike Tiara to her niece, Queen Anne of Romania, who wore the Tiara for the Wedding Ball of Prince Juan Carlos of Spain and Princess Sophia of Greece at the Royal Palace of Athens.
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 a Sapphire Parure was left to niece, Queen Anne of Romania.
This Diamond Spike Tiara was also among the Jewels inherited by Count Christian of Rosenborg, and began to be worn by his wife, Countess Karin on a plethora of royal occasions over the years, including the Wedding of Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark in 2004.
Countess Karin also wore Princess Viggo’s Diamond Spike Tiara for Queen Margrethe’s Golden Jubilee Gala at the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen last year, where she passed right in front of me and I was able to take a clear picture of the Tiara. There is no doubt we will continue to see this splendid heirloom for years to come!
Garnet Kokoshnik Tiara | Diamond Scroll Tiara | Diamond Spike Tiara | Opal Tiara | Sapphire Parure
